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Music drama

VS. (2019): Cast, Ratings & Box Office

VS. (2019) movie poster

VS. is a 2019 music drama directed by Ed Lilly, starring Ruth Sheen as Fiona, Emily Taaffe and Connor Swindells. It runs 1 hour 39 minutes and earned $16,323 worldwide. Critics gave it 83% on Rotten Tomatoes and 66 on Metacritic.

Rotten Tomatoes
83%
worldwide gross
$16.3K
Echo Score
75
Metascore
66
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VS. (2019) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 39m (99 min)
Director
Ed Lilly
Genres
Drama , Music
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is VS. About?

The premise of VS. without spoilers.

A foster youth discovers an outlet for his frustrations and a sense of belonging through the competitive world of rap battles. As he rises through the scene, he finds himself grappling with intense emotions and the potential for self-destruction, forcing him to confront his past and fight for his future.

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Cast & crew

VS. Cast & Characters

Ruth Sheen leads the cast as Fiona, with Emily Taaffe as Lisa and Connor Swindells as Adam. Directed by Ed Lilly; 10 actors are credited in all.

Ratings

VS. Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave VS. 83% on Rotten Tomatoes and 66 on Metacritic. Our Echo Score gives it 75/100, strongest in character & emotion (90) and weakest in rewatch factor (60).

75 /100

VS. Echo Score Breakdown

VS. offers a dynamic fusion of stylistic direction and engaging performances. Commentary highlights the film’s distinctive visual energy and its ambitious exploration of working-class culture, while noting occasional reliance on familiar narrative beats. The story unfolds with spirited rap sequences and thematic depth, though some moments feel predictable. The soundtrack is a notable asset, elevating key scenes, and the film maintains enough vitality to encourage at least one repeat viewing. Overall, VS. strikes a commendable balance between substance and style.

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

  • Art & Craft 80

    In terms of art and craft, VS. delivers a confident directorial approach marked by vivid camera movements and a raw urban aesthetic. The production design authentically captures underground venues, and the editing sequence of rap battles maintains kinetic momentum. A cohesive color scheme underlines the film’s thematic grit. Overall, the film’s stylistic flair enhances its narrative presence.

  • Character & Emotion 90

    When it comes to character and emotion, VS. presents compelling performances anchored by nuanced portrayals of youth at the margins. The cast conveys authenticity through sharp delivery and emotional resonance in their interpersonal dynamics. The protagonist’s transformative arc reflects a genuine struggle with identity and gender norms. Overall, the film’s character work remains a standout strength.

  • Story & Flow 75

    Regarding story and flow, VS. balances engaging rap sequences with thematic exploration, though it sometimes adheres to familiar narrative conventions. The pacing accelerates during lyrical confrontations but occasionally stalls during transitional scenes. Originality emerges in the integration of underground culture, yet certain plot developments feel predictable. Overall, the film achieves solid engagement despite occasional reliance on genre tropes.

  • Sensory Experience 70

    When considering sensory experience, VS. benefits from a robust soundtrack that underscores the emotional stakes of each rap battle. Sound design effectively captures crowd reactions and environmental ambiance, while the mixture of original music and ambient noise maintains atmospheric cohesion. Visual contrasts between rehearsal spaces and performance venues further enhance immersion. Overall, the film’s auditory and visual elements coalesce to engaging effect.

  • Rewatch Factor 60

    In terms of rewatch factor, VS. offers moments of high-energy performance that encourage repeat viewings for fans of the genre. The clever lyricism and cultural authenticity carry appeal on subsequent viewings, though narrative familiarity may lessen impact over time. Some viewers may return for the soundtrack alone, but the film’s predictable story beats could limit long-term engagement. Overall, rewatch appeal is moderate.

Box office

VS. Box Office

VS. grossed $16,323 worldwide.

2019 box office

Worldwide gross

$16.3K

International
$16.3K
Videos

VS. Trailers & Videos

The trailer of VS..

VS Official UK Trailer (2018) UK battle-rappers

Seen VS.?

FAQ

VS. FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

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

How long is VS.?

VS. runs 1 hour 39 minutes (99 minutes).

When was VS. released?

VS. was released on June 28, 2019.

Who directed VS.?

VS. was directed by Ed Lilly.

Who is in the cast of VS.?

VS. stars Ruth Sheen as Fiona, Emily Taaffe as Lisa and Connor Swindells as Adam, among 10 credited actors.

How much did VS. make at the box office?

VS. grossed $16,323 worldwide.

How is VS. rated?

VS. has 83% on Rotten Tomatoes, 66 on Metacritic and 59% on TMDB.

Does VS. have a post-credit scene?

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

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