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Action horror film

VFW (2020): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

VFW (2020) movie poster

VFW is a 2020 action horror film directed by Joe Begos, starring Travis Hammer as Boz, Sierra McCormick and Stephen Lang. It runs 1 hour 32 minutes and earned $23,101 worldwide on a $1 million budget. Critics gave it 85% on Rotten Tomatoes and 72 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.1/10.

IMDb rating
6.1/10
Rotten Tomatoes
85%
worldwide gross
$23.1K
Echo Score
74
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VFW (2020) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 32m (92 min)
Director
Joe Begos
Genres
Action , Horror
Original language
English
Budget
$1M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is VFW About?

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

A desperate teenager seeking to escape trouble brings a bag of stolen drugs to a veterans' hangout, unwittingly unleashing a wave of chaos. A group of battle-hardened veterans must then defend themselves and the young woman from a relentless gang of punk mutants. As the night unfolds, they find themselves fighting for survival and protecting their turf in this gritty action-horror film.

VFW Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • junkie
  • drug
  • splatter
  • criminal
  • gang
  • old timer
  • punk
  • opioid crisis
  • drug addiction
  • day drinking
  • drinking from a flask
  • riding in the back of a pickup truck
+38 more
  • vhs player
  • reference to viagra
  • birthday
  • bar
  • medical marijuana
  • safe
  • power outage
  • reference to the alamo
  • 12 gauge shotgun
  • breaking someone's neck
  • shot in the chest
  • shot repeatedly
  • shot to death
  • siege
  • toast to a dead friend
  • neo 80s
  • drug dealer
  • 80's throwback
  • post vietnam war
  • graphic violence
  • blood and gore
  • blood
  • gore
  • suicide
  • brutality
  • reference to viet cong
  • old man
  • wisecrack humor
  • old men
  • veterans of foreign wars
  • cruelty
  • thug
  • gang of criminals
  • gang violence
  • brutal violence
  • bloody violence
  • grisly violence
  • urban violence
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Cast & crew

VFW Cast & Characters

Travis Hammer leads the cast as Boz, with Sierra McCormick as Lizard and Stephen Lang as Fred Parras. Directed by Joe Begos; 11 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in VFW

· 7 more
Ratings

VFW Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave VFW 85% on Rotten Tomatoes and 72 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.1/10. Our Echo Score gives it 74/100, strongest in sensory experience (85) and weakest in story & flow (60).

74 /100

VFW Echo Score Breakdown

VFW delivers an unrelenting homage to grindhouse cinema with a gritty aesthetic paired with energetic gore. Reviews praise its visceral throwback style and memorable ensemble chemistry, though some note its slapdash execution and thin narrative depth. In terms of craft, the film thrives on authentic film grain and practical effects while occasionally feeling uneven in direction. Overall, VFW succeeds as a nostalgic B-movie experience that prioritizes atmosphere over profound storytelling.

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

  • Art & Craft 75

    In terms of cinematography and direction, VFW embraces a raw, grainy aesthetic that evokes classic grindhouse films. The practical effects and neon-tinted palette reinforce its throwback identity, though critics note moments of slapdash execution that undercut visual cohesion. Overall, the film’s production design and editing effectively support its visceral tone.

  • Character & Emotion 70

    In terms of character development and emotional resonance, VFW offers a spirited ensemble whose seasoned performances create a palpable rapport. The veteran protagonists exhibit tangible camaraderie, and occasional moments of warmth punctuate the relentless action. However, character arcs remain broadly sketched, leaving some emotional beats feeling underexplored. Net, the cast's chemistry sustains audience engagement.

  • Story & Flow 60

    In terms of plot coherence and pacing, VFW delivers a straightforward siege narrative driven by unrelenting tension. The film's rapid-fire action sequences maintain momentum, though the underlying premise feels occasionally contrived and simplistic. Critics note a reliance on familiar tropes that limit narrative depth. Ultimately, the story functions effectively as a vehicle for visceral thrills rather than thematic complexity.

  • Sensory Experience 85

    In terms of sensory experience, VFW excels with a potent combination of atmospheric sound design and a pulsing synth-driven score. The neon-infused color palette and tactile gore effects heighten the film's immersive quality. Occasional uneven sound mixing is noted, but the overall audiovisual presentation delivers a consistently intense and memorable impact.

  • Rewatch Factor 65

    In terms of replay value and lasting appeal, VFW offers intermittent satisfaction for genre enthusiasts seeking nostalgic thrills. Its homage-driven style and visceral highlights may reward second viewings, though the thin narrative and repetitive structure limit broader replayability. Overall, the film retains appeal for viewers drawn to its specific retro-gore aesthetic but may not sustain wide-ranging repeat interest.

Plot

VFW Plot Summary

What happens in VFW 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

Boz [Travis Hammer] leads a dangerously volatile gang that peddles a powerful, addictive drug called Hype. The Hypers are so hooked that, in a brutal display of power, Boz drops a vial of Hype and Lucy falls from a balcony to her death. Lucy’s younger sister Elizabeth, nicknamed Lizard Sierra McCormick, witnesses the horrific moment and makes a daring escape, stealing Boz’s stash as she flees his reach. The night marks a devastating blow that reverberates through both sides of the conflict and sets the stakes for what comes next.

Full summary

The whole story of VFW, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

VFW Box Office & Budget

VFW grossed $23,101 worldwide on a $1 million budget.

2020 box office

Worldwide gross

$23.1K

International
$23.1K
Budget
$1M
Videos

VFW Trailers & Videos

The trailer of VFW.

VFW | Official Trailer | Voltage Pictures
Quiz

How Well Do You Know VFW?

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

What is the name of the addictive drug that Boz's gang peddles?

Cars

Cars in VFW

4 cars on screen, including the AM General M-35 and the 1982 Ford F-Series.

  • AM General M-35 in VFW AM General M-35 Important role
  • 1982 Ford F-Series in VFW 1982 Ford F-Series Important role
  • Chevrolet Blazer in VFW Chevrolet Blazer Minor role
  • unknown in VFW unknown Background role
Details

VFW Also Known As

11 alternative titles, including “브이에프더블유” and “Ветераны зарубежных войн”.

Also known as
  • 브이에프더블유
  • Ветераны зарубежных войн
  • ВЗВ или Дедушки нелегкого поведения. Начало
  • VFW (Veteranos de Guerras en el Extranjero)
  • Klub weteranów
  • 爆裂老兵
  • VFW: Veterans of Foreign Wars
  • 藥命老兵突擊隊
  • Veteranai
  • VFW - Veterani di guerra
  • VETERAN ヴェテラン

Seen VFW?

FAQ

VFW FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

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

How long is VFW?

VFW runs 1 hour 32 minutes (92 minutes).

When was VFW released?

VFW was released on February 14, 2020.

Who directed VFW?

VFW was directed by Joe Begos.

More films by Joe Begos

Who is in the cast of VFW?

VFW stars Travis Hammer as Boz, Sierra McCormick as Lizard and Stephen Lang as Fred Parras, among 11 credited actors.

How much did VFW make at the box office?

VFW grossed $23,101 worldwide on a budget of $1 million.

How is VFW rated?

VFW has 6.1/10 on IMDb, 85% on Rotten Tomatoes, 72 on Metacritic and 59% on TMDB.

Does VFW have a post-credit scene?

No. VFW has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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