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Action thriller

The Tax Collector (2020): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending

The Tax Collector (2020) movie poster

The Tax Collector is a 2020 action thriller directed by David Ayer, starring Shia LaBeouf as Creeper, Bobby Soto and Cinthya Carmona. It runs 1 hour 35 minutes and earned $1.3 million worldwide on a $20 million budget. Critics gave it 17% on Rotten Tomatoes and 22 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 4.9/10.

IMDb rating
4.9/10
Rotten Tomatoes
17%
worldwide gross
$1.3M
Echo Score
29
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The Tax Collector (2020) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 35m (95 min)
Director
David Ayer
Genres
Action , Drama , Thriller , Crime
Original language
English
Budget
$20M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is The Tax Collector About?

The premise of The Tax Collector without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.

In a shadowy criminal world, David and Creeper work as collectors for the powerful Wizard. Their dangerous assignments are disrupted when a vengeful adversary arrives in Los Angeles, challenging their loyalty and forcing David to question his priorities. He must now confront the consequences of his past actions and fight to protect his family from a growing threat.

The Tax Collector Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • female psychopath
  • nudity
  • street
  • tattoo
  • gun
  • tax
  • tax collector
  • female topless nudity
  • female nudity
  • male nudity
  • male frontal nudity
  • pubic hair
+38 more
  • male pubic hair
  • violence
  • reference to tinder
  • family dinner
  • tattoo parlor
  • shot in the head
  • shot to death
  • explosion
  • three word title
  • ambiguous ending
  • electronic music score
  • no opening credits
  • written by director
  • goatee
  • sunglasses
  • suit and tie
  • cigar smoking
  • cigarette smoking
  • latina
  • latino
  • praying
  • catholic
  • crucifix
  • family relationships
  • husband wife relationship
  • mother son relationship
  • mother daughter relationship
  • father daughter relationship
  • father son relationship
  • brother sister relationship
  • uncle nephew relationship
  • montage
  • slow motion scene
  • bullet time
  • heroic bloodshed
  • f word
  • neo noir
  • machismo
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Cast & crew

The Tax Collector Cast & Characters

Shia LaBeouf leads the cast as Creeper, with Bobby Soto as David and Cinthya Carmona as Alexis. Directed by David Ayer; 15 actors are credited in all.

From the director

More from David Ayer

More films directed by David Ayer, best-rated first: End of Watch, Heart of the Beast, Fury and The Beekeeper.

Full filmography
Ratings

The Tax Collector Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave The Tax Collector 17% on Rotten Tomatoes and 22 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 4.9/10. Our Echo Score gives it 29/100, strongest in sensory experience (40) and weakest in story & flow (20).

29 /100

The Tax Collector Echo Score Breakdown

The Tax Collector struggles to cohere across its technical, narrative, and emotional dimensions. While the film delivers visceral gore and an occasionally vivid portrayal of urban underworld tensions, its uneven direction and clichéd writing undercut engagement. Character depth is limited by stereotypical portrayals and abrupt plot shifts, leaving the film feeling disjointed. Combined with a spotty sensory design and minimal replay appeal, the movie fails to establish a lasting impression or justify repeat viewings.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 30

    In terms of art and craft, the film exhibits inconsistent pictorial flair and rough editing rhythms. Direction relies on basic gangster tropes and repetitive flashback structures, resulting in bland imagery that rarely departs from familiar visual language. Only occasional bursts of bloody set pieces inject dynamism, but they feel disconnected from the surrounding scenes. Overall, the production design and camera work lack cohesion and polish.

  • Character & Emotion 25

    When it comes to character and emotion, portrayals are undermined by shallow characterizations and stereotypical tropes. Performances vary, with one central actor exhibiting commitment to the role, yet supporting characters often feel two-dimensional and underdeveloped. Dialogue fails to convey genuine relationships or empathy, leaving emotional beats unconvincing. Ultimately, the film’s cast is constrained by a script that does not allow for meaningful character growth or resonance.

  • Story & Flow 20

    In terms of story and flow, the narrative unfolds with abrupt shifts and a lack of coherence. Plot developments rely heavily on genre clichés and predictable twists, while pacing alternates between sluggish procedural segments and abrupt bursts of violence. Attempts at tension are diluted by uneven character motivations and contrived turns, leaving engagement hard to sustain. Consequently, the film’s storytelling feels muddled and fails to deliver a satisfying arc.

  • Sensory Experience 40

    When it comes to sensory experience, the film offers a visceral mix of soundtrack and sound design that at times heightens the gritty atmosphere. Blood-soaked visuals and an aggressive score create moments of raw intensity, yet audio-visual cohesion is uneven. Sound mixing occasionally obscures dialogue, and visual style depends on familiar gangland motifs without deeper aesthetic integration. Overall, sensory elements are sporadically effective but lack consistent harmony.

  • Rewatch Factor 30

    In terms of rewatch factor, the film provides limited incentive for repeated viewings. While some viewers may revisit select violent set pieces for their visceral impact, the lack of narrative depth and uneven execution diminishes replay value. The predominantly negative reception and absence of compelling emotional or thematic layers further reduce lasting appeal. As a result, the movie offers minimal reward beyond a single viewing experience.

Plot

The Tax Collector Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in The Tax Collector from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

In the sprawling city of Los Angeles, David Cuevas, portrayed by Bobby Soto, enjoys a fulfilling life with his devoted wife, Cinthya Carmona, and their two young children, amidst the excitement of family festivities. As preparations for his niece’s quinceañera unfold, David is hard at work at his auto electronics shop, where he partners with Shia LaBeouf as Creeper and also includes his cousin Lupe, portrayed by Chelsea Rendon. The duo soon encounters a recent addition to their criminal organization, Victor, a rising gangster who operates under the watchful eye of the mysterious Wizard, who continues to orchestrate events from behind bars.

Full summary

The whole story of The Tax Collector, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Box office

The Tax Collector Box Office & Budget

The Tax Collector grossed $1.3 million worldwide on a $20 million budget, 7% of what it cost. $1 million came from the US and Canada and $281,569 (21%) from the rest of the world.

2020 box office

Worldwide gross

$1.3M

7% of its budget back

US & Canada
$1M
International
$281.6K
Budget
$20M
US & Canada 79% Rest of the world 21%
Videos

The Tax Collector Trailers & Videos

The trailer of The Tax Collector.

The Tax Collector - OFFICIAL TRAILER
Quiz

How Well Do You Know The Tax Collector?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

Who is the main character of 'The Tax Collector'?

Cars

Cars in The Tax Collector

29 cars on screen, including the 2011 BMW 528i F10 and the 2018 Chevrolet Suburban.

All 29 cars
  • 2011 BMW 528i F10 in The Tax Collector 2011 BMW 528i F10 Main role
  • 2018 Chevrolet Suburban in The Tax Collector 2018 Chevrolet Suburban Main role
  • 1969 Chevrolet Impala in The Tax Collector 1969 Chevrolet Impala Important role
  • 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan in The Tax Collector 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan Important role
Details

The Tax Collector Also Known As

29 alternative titles, including “Сборщик налогов” and “Збирач боргів”.

Also known as
  • Сборщик налогов
  • Збирач боргів
  • Колектор
  • Cuenta pendiente
  • El Recolector
  • The Tax Collector - Sangue Chiama Sangue
  • Tahsilatçı
  • แก๊งเดือดรีดภาษีเลือด
  • Събирач на дългове
  • Выбивая долги
  • 收税人
  • O Cobrador de Impostos, გადასახადების ამკრეფი
+17 more
  • 택스 콜렉터
  • Výběrčí daní
  • Vyberač daní
  • גובה המיסים
  • باج گیر
  • Windykator
  • Dette de sang
  • Prikupljač poreza
  • Az adószedő
  • 黑金獵人
  • Mokesčių surinkėjas
  • Colectorul de taxe
  • جامع الضرائب
  • 索稅雙雄
  • द टैक्स कलेक्टर
  • Kẻ Thu Thuế
  • L.A.スクワッド

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FAQ

The Tax Collector FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of The Tax Collector, each answered in a sentence.

How long is The Tax Collector?

The Tax Collector runs 1 hour 35 minutes (95 minutes).

When was The Tax Collector released?

The Tax Collector was released on August 7, 2020.

Who directed The Tax Collector?

The Tax Collector was directed by David Ayer.

More films by David Ayer

Who is in the cast of The Tax Collector?

The Tax Collector stars Shia LaBeouf as Creeper, Bobby Soto as David and Cinthya Carmona as Alexis, among 15 credited actors.

How much did The Tax Collector make at the box office?

The Tax Collector grossed $1.3 million worldwide ($1 million domestic, $281,569 international) on a budget of $20 million.

How is The Tax Collector rated?

The Tax Collector has 4.9/10 on IMDb, 17% on Rotten Tomatoes, 22 on Metacritic and 56% on TMDB.

Does The Tax Collector have a post-credit scene?

No. The Tax Collector has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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