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Action thriller

Triple Threat (2019): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

Triple Threat (2019) movie poster

Triple Threat is a 2019 action thriller directed by Jesse V. Johnson, starring Tony Jaa as Payu, Tiger Hu Chen and Michael Bisping. It runs 1 hour 36 minutes and earned $345,900 worldwide on a $10 million budget. Critics gave it 60 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.6/10.

IMDb rating
5.6/10
worldwide gross
$345.9K
Echo Score
48
Metascore
60
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Triple Threat (2019) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 36m (96 min)
Director
Jesse V. Johnson
Genres
Action , Thriller
Original language
English
Budget
$10M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Triple Threat About?

The premise of Triple Threat without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

Three friends who shared a dream of Broadway success find their lives diverging as they enter adulthood. Chloe, Maggie, and Gus grapple with the challenges of parenthood, relationships, and career aspirations, forcing them to re-examine their priorities and what truly constitutes happiness. Featuring original music, this film offers a heartfelt look at pursuing dreams and discovering one's path in life.

Triple Threat Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • muscleman
  • interrogation
  • machismo
  • rescue
  • escape
  • deception
  • double cross
  • interview
  • anti hero
  • loss of wife
  • revenge
  • prisoner of war
+38 more
  • captivity
  • police officer shot
  • police officer ambushed
  • police shootout
  • police officer throat slit
  • police officers massacred
  • police station attack
  • police station
  • police massacre
  • spy
  • two word title
  • 2010s
  • wisecrack humor
  • murder
  • death
  • violence
  • brutality
  • mercilessness
  • hostage
  • held at gunpoint
  • betrayal
  • blood
  • blood splatter
  • blood on shirt
  • tooth knocked out
  • spitting blood
  • ambush
  • body count
  • massacre
  • explosion
  • exploding body
  • exploding building
  • opening action scene
  • two against one
  • cockney accent
  • englishman abroad
  • englishman
  • australian
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Cast & crew

Triple Threat Cast & Characters

Tony Jaa leads the cast as Payu, with Tiger Hu Chen as Long Fei and Michael Bisping as Joey. Directed by Jesse V. Johnson; 13 actors are credited in all.

From the director

More from Jesse V. Johnson

More films directed by Jesse V. Johnson, best-rated first: The Debt Collector, Savage Dog, White Elephant and One Ranger.

Full filmography
Ratings

Triple Threat Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Triple Threat 60 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.6/10. Our Echo Score gives it 48/100, strongest in sensory experience (65) and weakest in story & flow (30).

48 /100

Triple Threat Echo Score Breakdown

The film’s primary appeal lies in its energetic action but is undermined by habitual storytelling shortcomings and uneven execution. Reviews highlight effective use of explosion-heavy sequences and dynamic fight choreography alongside a lackluster narrative and underdeveloped characters. Direction is noted for clear geography yet suffers from coherence issues, while sensory elements such as the soundtrack elicit mixed responses. Consequently, Triple Threat delivers intermittent excitement but offers limited lasting engagement for most viewers.

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

  • Art & Craft 60

    In terms of visual craft, Triple Threat delivers impactful explosion sequences and blood effects supported by a sizable practical-effects budget. Some reviews praise the bullet ballet and spatial clarity established by the director. However, criticisms focus on uneven cinematography with occasional overexposure and incoherent editorial choices. Overall, the film’s art and craft offer sporadic technical flair without sustained visual cohesion.

  • Character & Emotion 45

    When it comes to character depth and emotion, Triple Threat struggles to create meaningful portrayals. Most assessments note clichéd dialogue and campy performances, with scant development for the ensemble leads. A minority of voices appreciate the occasional charm of individual actors, but the overall sense is one of underutilized talent. As a result, the film fails to generate a strong emotional connection.

  • Story & Flow 30

    In terms of plot coherence and pacing, the film presents a largely predictable narrative with limited originality. Critics and audiences describe paper-thin storytelling, uneven payoffs, and clichéd plot devices that undercut engagement. Occasional moments of momentum arise during action-driven sequences, but these are insufficient to offset narrative shortcomings. Overall, the story lacks the depth and inventiveness needed to sustain viewer interest beyond initial set pieces.

  • Sensory Experience 65

    Regarding the sensory experience, Triple Threat offers a robust soundscape and an energetic soundtrack that complement its action sequences. The practical effects and fight choreography produce vivid auditory and visual punches that many viewers find entertaining. Yet, opinions diverge on cinematographic choices, with some pointing to dim or overexposed shots. Consequently, the film’s sensory elements combine compelling sound design with inconsistent visual execution.

  • Rewatch Factor 50

    When it comes to rewatch value, the movie’s appeal is largely tied to its fight choreography and action set pieces. Enthusiasts of martial arts cinema may revisit for the impressive practical stunts, but the weak narrative and shallow character work diminish repeated enjoyment. There are few elements beyond the core action to reward subsequent viewings. Ultimately, replay factors hinge on a viewer’s appetite for spectacle over story.

Plot

Triple Threat Plot Summary

What happens in Triple Threat from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Deveraux enlists Payu and Long Fei for a humanitarian mission in Thailand aimed at freeing prisoners. Unbeknownst to them, the operation is a front for Deveraux and his crew—Mook, Joey, Steiner, and Dom—to extract their true target, their imprisoned leader Collins, a notorious terrorist. The assault on the village is brutal, catching Indonesian soldiers off guard, waking up Jaka Iko Uwais and shattering his world as his wife is killed in the confusion. In the chaos, Payu and Jaka clash, but the confrontation is interrupted when Mook fires a grenade at Jaka, leaving him unconscious.

Full summary

The whole story of Triple Threat, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Triple Threat Box Office & Budget

Triple Threat grossed $345,900 worldwide on a $10 million budget. $76,289 came from the US and Canada and $269,611 (78%) from the rest of the world.

2019 box office

Worldwide gross

$345.9K

US & Canada
$76.3K
International
$269.6K
Budget
$10M
US & Canada 22% Rest of the world 78%
Videos

Triple Threat Trailers & Videos

4 videos: 1 trailer and 3 teasers.

TRIPLE THREAT (2019) Official Trailer | Iko Uwais, Tony Jaa, Michael Jai White, Scott Adkins
  • Teaser TRIPLE THREAT (2017) Sneak Peak | Tony Jaa, Iko Uwais Action Movie
  • Teaser TRIPLE THREAT (2017) Teaser Trailer | Tony Jaa, Iko Uwais, Scott Adkins
  • Teaser TRIPLE THREAT (2019) Official Teaser Trailer | Watch Now!
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Triple Threat?

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 enlists Payu and Long Fei for the humanitarian mission in Thailand?

Cars

Cars in Triple Threat

45 cars on screen, including the 2007 Hyundai H-1 and the 2008 Mitsuoka Galue Limousine.

All 45 cars
  • 2007 Hyundai H-1 in Triple Threat 2007 Hyundai H-1 Main role
  • 2008 Mitsuoka Galue Limousine in Triple Threat 2008 Mitsuoka Galue Limousine Important role
  • 2004 Toyota Corolla Altis in Triple Threat 2004 Toyota Corolla Altis Important role
  • Custom Made Tuk Tuk in Triple Threat Custom Made Tuk Tuk Minor role
Details

Triple Threat Also Known As

23 alternative titles, including “트리플 쓰렛” and “Triplh apeilh”.

Also known as
  • 트리플 쓰렛
  • Triplh apeilh
  • Tripli apeili
  • تهدید سه گانه
  • Triple amenaza
  • ทริปเปิล เธรท สามโหดมหากาฬ
  • Tripla Ameaça
  • Потрійна загроза
  • Тройная угроза
  • Potrójne Zagrożenie
  • Тройна заплаха
  • 三重威胁之跨国大营救
+11 more
  • 트리플 스렛
  • איום משולש
  • Bộ Ba Vệ Sĩ
  • 三重威脅之跨國大營救
  • Triguba grėsmė
  • Véres hármas
  • Τριπλή Απειλή
  • Trojitá hrozba
  • Triple Threat - Tripla minaccia
  • トリプル・スレット
  • تهديد ثلاثي

Seen Triple Threat?

FAQ

Triple Threat FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

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

How long is Triple Threat?

Triple Threat runs 1 hour 36 minutes (96 minutes).

When was Triple Threat released?

Triple Threat was released on March 19, 2019.

Who directed Triple Threat?

Triple Threat was directed by Jesse V. Johnson.

More films by Jesse V. Johnson

Who is in the cast of Triple Threat?

Triple Threat stars Tony Jaa as Payu, Tiger Hu Chen as Long Fei and Michael Bisping as Joey, among 13 credited actors.

How much did Triple Threat make at the box office?

Triple Threat grossed $345,900 worldwide ($76,289 domestic, $269,611 international) on a budget of $10 million.

How is Triple Threat rated?

Triple Threat has 5.6/10 on IMDb, 60 on Metacritic, 64% on TMDB and 2.8/5 on Letterboxd.

Does Triple Threat have a post-credit scene?

No. Triple Threat has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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