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Brawl in Cell Block 99

Brawl in Cell Block 99

2017
Drama, Suspense/Thriller
2h 12m
Your probable score
Avg Percentile 59.42% from 849 total ratings

Ratings & Reviews

(849)
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Rated 17 Oct 2017
85
86th
Dear S. Craig Zahler please shave Will Ferrell's hair next and toss him into some dank underworld. Donald Trump is president and I want to see more Vince Vaughn action star roles what the fuck happened.
Rated 08 Jan 2019
45
34th
A parade of sadism, which suggests that understanding the meaning of this kind of artefact means understanding the function of ritual. Here, as in other cases (see my review of LOOPER), the rite of suffering seems designed as a means for fathers to sanctify their withdrawal from the family by undergoing an ordeal that redeems their past sins and legitimates their absence. Does the need for such a rite reflect unease about accepting the paternal role of familial breadwinner, or something deeper?
Rated 27 Nov 2017
80
85th
When Bradley smashes his wife's car with his bare hands after knowing she's been betraying him, you know this is gonna be good. All this blue-collar, ex-drinker wants is the basic cable American dream - home, family, some money. He shoots peers and ends up jailed. Then he's forced to descend to hell to save his unborn daughter limbs and his wife. Zalher builds it so slowly it could be 4 hours long and I would notice. Fight and gore combined to comment on a system as brutal as its convicts.
Rated 10 Oct 2017
50
12th
I'd play the videogame of this film, regardless of how much the first hour sucked.
Rated 29 Dec 2017
77
74th
Okay, granted- It's too long, it's clumsy, it's dumber than people who stand in line for phones and Jennifer Carpenter is a horrible actress. I still had a great time watching this. Usually, movies that are simultaneously grim and too silly for words just annoy me, but this one was just the right amount of each.
Rated 29 Oct 2017
84
62nd
Not 4 squeamish AT ALL. Usually avoid gore but been, SO long, rooting 4 V Vaughn 2 reboot career by dump romcoms + grin - I had 2 see. Most def VV's statement of intent; scary intense. Fight: Opp of MArts Ballet; brutal not beauty. Injuries gross but by end LESS disturbing as get delib smirkingly absurd. Film engrossing tho & has lazer drive much as lead has. So glad VV gets he's WAY past Swingers cute/cheeky but is 6ft5 & can act. More tough/villain roles pls but less gore
Rated 24 Feb 2018
50
49th
Vince Vaughn is a tough guy and gives a deliberate performance.The story was very poorly written with depictions of prison life that goes from outlandish to completely ridiculous. Also, some of the initial setup details were rather pointless. Fast forward to a drug run gone bad, and the action gets interesting. From there it's a slow burn punctuated by some excellent brutal fights. The gore effects were handled rather poorly. Somewhat satisfying but with limited appeal to a general audience.
Rated 30 Jan 2018
74
79th
Vince Vaughn plays a man's man who just wants a cold beer and his "definitely not using meth" wife to stop fucking other guys. He's not violent, simply emotionally incapable of compartmentalizing shit that compartmentalizing would result even worse violence anyway. The 13-year old in me has been waiting almost 30 years for people to start making movies like this again. And, look, they even got Don Johnson! 99 thumbs up, with another for the perfect ending shot.
Rated 01 Jan 2019
4
70th
A no-frills, no-holds-barred, and especially brutal genre film which shows such methodical patience in establishing its premise that by the time the blows start flying, it's so much more satisfying for how earned its (shocking, depraved, admittedly satisfying) violence feels. Vaughn's signature deadpan sarcasm serves him well, acting as an extra layer of defense against the agonies he willingly endures.
Rated 06 Jan 2018
86
89th
Just as Zahler's first film, Bone Tomahawk, Brawl in Cell Block 99 isn't for the faint of heart. Living somewhere between reality and fantasy, this grindhouse tale is as brutal as much as it is a thrilling step-by-step guide to desperation. Zahler continues to bend genres in fascinating and fresh ways. Add a Vince Vaughn like you've never seen him and, wow, do you have a wild two hours.
Rated 10 Jun 2018
30
10th
Too much stomping on heads for my taste. And some of the writing was atrociously smug.
Rated 31 Dec 2017
80
85th
In many ways Brawl in Cell Block 99 is a throwback to old-school action movies, and you won't hear any complaints from me about that. Vaughn's character is a tough, brutal stoic, whose penchant for visceral violence accelerates his descent into hell.
Rated 15 Oct 2017
68
50th
Brutal! Slow-moving, quiet and tense.
Rated 02 Nov 2017
80
62nd
This was a perfect blend of drama and 70's action exploitation. Vaughn has the silver tongue of his Swingers character, but with a southern drawl and a 'not-giving-a-fuck' attitude and it's presto chango! Also: I loved the car punching scene.
Rated 02 Jan 2018
75
59th
A game-like descent into the rings of Prison with Vince Vaughn, the unstoppable force, as our escort. How could you not watch this? Its brutal, shamelessly simple, and tinged with just the right amount of B-movie ridiculousness. A winner.
Rated 03 Mar 2018
71
41st
Far dumber and more cartoonish than 'Bone Tomahawk,' lacking the latter's grit and pulp but at least providing greater laughs in the form of Vince Vaughn kicking dudes' heads off the neck, and quite cleanly if I may add.
Rated 26 Aug 2019
25
13th
Dark and brutal Most definitely not my type of movie
Rated 23 Feb 2022
84
75th
Zahler's patience again leads to great results. The first act doesn't drag at all. It has the same determination as the rest of the plot, only that the stakes aren't that high by then. When the movie arrives at the prison the walls get tighter and tighter and the dark more and more dim, while the violence goes through the roof. All of this comes with a dry and precise humor again and yes, Vaughn is a machine here. Highly recommended.
Rated 25 Jan 2018
73
87th
Not exactly a movie for sissies. More reviews here : http://movie-freak.be
Rated 05 Nov 2017
75
75th
it's like half past midnight when my roommates and I are towards the end of the movie and we get to THAT PART and oooh my God, we must've whisper-screamed (two of our other roommates are sleeping, trying to not be too loud) "ohhhh fuuuuck" or "holy shiiit" like 8 times, or just me with my mouth agape looking at them to make sure they see it too, because it was literally, momentarily, unbelievable. so yeah, good film 👍🏼
Rated 14 Jan 2018
70
37th
Watching Vince Vaughn emotionlessly beat people to a pulp was cathartic in all the ways the second season of True Detective wasn't.
Rated 30 Dec 2017
85
73rd
Great, brutal, and visceral slow burner of an exploitation flick.
Rated 08 Nov 2017
54
56th
I've heard of "vehicular assault," but THIS is ridiculous!
Rated 05 Jan 2018
80
89th
It came recommended by my barber. I should listen to him more. A fantastic film!
Rated 04 Feb 2018
68
52nd
A fun, action flick. Its brutal, but much more similar to Fulci gore than modern day stomach turning hyper-realistic gore. Would be fun to watch with like minded friends just for all the shared OoooH SHIT! moments
Rated 01 Jan 2018
87
86th
A visceral and unreserved portrayal of martyrdom, told simply and carefully, but beefed up by some very pronounced dialogue from Zahler, who certainly writes his dialogue. If this isn't Vaughn's best performance, it's definitely his best physical performance and he fits right into Zahler's world of brutality that continuously delves into more dire pits, surrounded by equally muscular performances from Johnson and Kier.
Rated 14 Dec 2017
97
97th
Takes 50 minutes to do what most movies could do in 5 but remains incredibly engrossing every second. Video review: https://youtu.be/bbIGhyWG0nE
Rated 20 Jan 2018
82
95th
This is a throwback to the Seventies & Eighties "prison" films. I actually don't like Vince Vaughn and I'll usually avoid his movies but man was he great in this. The story had great tone and the film was very atmospheric. All the characters did well and were equally well cast. Also a big plus was the use of practical effects over CGI and realistic, brutal if slightly over the top violence.
Rated 24 Sep 2017
74
85th
As a homage it's spot on. As brutal entertainment it's almost even better.
Rated 05 Jan 2020
81
79th
Now that's what I call brutality!
Rated 21 Jan 2018
7
84th
S. Craig Zahler clearly understands and respects onscreen violence, but unlike some lesser filmmakers also understands how to gradually build up to it, how to tease and make love to us cinematic violence connoisseurs, rather than just unsatisfyingly wham-bam-thank-you-ma'am us. The film slowly builds, but once it's on, it's on. Vince Vaughn rules. And Zahler's next film is with Mel GIbson! What a perfect combo.
Rated 05 Jul 2018
61
36th
I never really bought in to the story, so it seemed to just exist as an exhibition of some of the most graphic violence I've ever seen. Vaughn is stellar, though.
Rated 13 Jul 2020
80
80th
It's a slow burn like Dragged Across Concrete, but I was never bored. S. Craig Zahler's films definitely aren't for everyone, but I really enjoyed the brutal action and over the top gore.
Rated 24 Aug 2019
66
70th
good movie
Rated 18 Jun 2020
40
7th
I'm pretty tired of people making "grindhouse style" movies as opposed to just making a decent violent action film. This film's ludicrous extremity has it teetering on the edge of Rob Zombie schlock ... I didn't really enjoy a minute of it, and there's no excuse for it being over 2 hours long.
Rated 15 Jan 2024
80
60th
Somehow delivers a sense of hope despite the absolutely, brutally bleak tone. There's something to be said about the opening taking the time to really establish Bradley's character before he gets imprisoned; it had it's slow, boring moments, but it definitely pays off in the end. Of course the violence is what accentuates the story, and it's fittingly horrific in the best ways. Don't know if I'll ever watch it again but that one viewing will stick with me for a while!
Rated 22 Jan 2024
70
73rd
I know S. Craig Zahler films, so I was expecting a wild ride. The momentum continually ramps up from under-the-surface, chilling intensity to utter, screaming brutality. Vince Vaughn delivers an unforgettable performance.
Rated 13 Dec 2017
65
83rd
This movie will make all of your mannequin face crushing dreams come true! Also, Vince Vaugh murders a car with his bare hands.
Rated 14 Oct 2017
86
78th
I've never been so vocally responsive to a movie in a theater in my life. Vince Vaughn is almost good? Wow. Zahler is officially a great filmmaker.
Rated 23 Dec 2017
100
94th
6'5" is correct. A- haan...!
Rated 24 Jun 2019
73
60th
A lot of not-very-well-thought-out series of actions which made this enjoyable and gruesome
Rated 01 Dec 2017
70
41st
Certainly entertaining, not sure I'm seeing a movie worthy of the intense praise it seems to have gotten. I found most of the fight scenes lifeless, with the gory payoff the only interesting thing. Yet they didn't go far enough with the gore to make me grimace. But it was ridiculously silly, a nice genre piece that mashes up a prison drama and grindhouse... so it has that going for it. Vaughn gives no shits here, actually doing good work.
Rated 28 Dec 2017
58
48th
2017's #1 guilty pleasure, with a bunch of brutal and gruesome violence courtesy of the protagonist, and the inimitable Udo Kier as a villain. The story is not that much to speak of, "Bronson with an alibi" kind of sums it up, a bit too far-fetched and didn't have the mystique of Zahler's "Bone Tomahawk" which I liked considerably better.
Rated 06 Jan 2018
45
27th
A pointless, overlong, disgusting film
Rated 14 Jan 2018
65
31st
i didn't realise untill the end (i was taken by surprise) that i wasn't watching a movie but a GENREmovie. (so imagine my bewilderness in the second part...)
Rated 02 Nov 2018
67
62nd
Like Bone Tomahawk it's a slow burn. Slightly too slow but the crescendo is something.
Rated 30 Jan 2018
70
46th
Feels and looks like an oldschool 70s revenge movie... I that's a good thing. It's dumb, gritty and with a paper thin plot... but fuck it... I liked it.
Rated 07 Dec 2017
84
75th
mixed feelings, guess im not responding well to drama component lately and prefer more dynamic atmo. but ill give good rating.
Rated 10 Dec 2018
60
40th
Once it gets going it's a mildly entertaining (if smirky) throwback actioner, but an early shootout is unbelievable in terms of the protag's motivation, reams of sagacious Tarantinoid dialogue tend to unfurl in cinematic dead space (there's no rhythm in the writing or the editing), and the politics are suspiciously reactionary (e.g. in case you didn't get that the put-upon Working Class White Man is modernity's martyr figure, this one's got a certain tattoo on the back of his head. Subtle!).
Rated 27 Nov 2017
70
82nd
Very entertaining up to the final scene which was not so well done. Don Johnson did not fit so well either.
Rated 21 Dec 2017
70
54th
The Terminator turned to flesh! This guy is an abosulte BEAST :D
Rated 27 Dec 2017
55
18th
Good start, but it gets really strange during the second half - not in a good way.
Rated 24 Jan 2018
75
79th
Cutting the legs off an unborn girl is one of the sickest things I've heard about.
Rated 17 Oct 2017
90
95th
damn
Rated 31 Dec 2017
93
99th
I wouldn't classify this as a guilty pleasure. This is ripe pleasure without the guilty part with violence depicted in the most stylish way. An overall triumph and one of the most entertaining films of the decade.
Rated 08 Mar 2018
60
24th
It's a slow moving but a high octane beat 'em up. But it's stupid, and while body parts are all over the place, the tongue is never in its cheek.
Rated 30 Jul 2018
4
55th
i'm still not particularly fond of zahler's writing, and this seems to be a right wing wet dream (ofc his next one stars mel gibson lmao), but it's weird enough to work for me, from the sparse, sterile aesthetic/sound design to the methodical pacing to the idiosyncratic details (i want to know what the creepy paedophile did with that stun button!). certainly doesn't skimp on the visceral stuff either. a nice happy medium between DTV action trash and something like UNIVERSAL SOLDIER: DoR.
Rated 20 Jul 2022
46
41st
Fascist blackshirt Don Johnson cracked me up, but the violence in this is so cartoonish and frequent that it suffers in comparison to that scene from Bone Tomahawk we all know and cherish. Something about a heavily pregnant woman machine gunning an abortionist tells me this Zahler fellow might have a thing or two to say about the tolerant left.
Rated 30 Dec 2017
75
66th
Filmden çıkarılıcak mesaj: Fazla vatanseverlik aptallıktır.
Rated 16 Oct 2017
3
92nd
Golden
Rated 26 Oct 2017
75
69th
aaaaaaaaaaaa? vaughn şaşırtıcı biçimde iyi.
Rated 10 Feb 2018
70
71st
Zahler continues to build on the promise of Bone Tomahawk, fashioning another interesting, if overlong, take on a stale genre. It suffers from pacing issues in the first act, but once Vaughn lands in jail it settles into its corrosive groove and becomes compulsively watchable, anchored by the tightly controlled performance of Vaughn that moves from restraint to rage in explosively vulgar displays of raw brutal power. The medieval style setting of Cell Block 99 is also refreshingly original.
Rated 01 Jul 2018
72
44th
Vince Vaughn was surprisingly effective as the tough-guy. Not a bad film, but this was an unpleasantly brutal way to spend my time.
Rated 08 May 2018
72
40th
Great movie !!!
Rated 04 Jun 2018
75
39th
Unflinchingly brutal. There are no mere suggestions of violence to be found here - the camera is up front and focused squarely on the carnage. Vaughn's character development is surprisingly well done; yet, I didn't feel the sense of desperation from him that I expected by the end. Despite the seemingly endless filth and squalor, there is a strange sterility throughout this film. Well worth your time.
Rated 09 Jul 2018
50
20th
Everyone loves this film. I don't.
Rated 14 Jul 2018
73
28th
I heard from reviews that maybe I was in for something special with this Vince Vaughn vehicle. Right off the bat the film looks low-budget but is very direct with its characters. But no. The story soon turns very silly and it's preposterous that this reformed hard man would brutalise so many innocent guards to get sent away to a much worse situation. It continues in the same nonsensical vein and the scenes of gritty violence and torture are not even especially gut-churning or realistic. Weak.
Rated 19 Jul 2018
50
37th
Remember "Shot Caller"? This one is like comparing a super budgeted film with a The Asylum one. Scenes with bad choreography, a lot of not that good acting and my favorite part bad FX with over the top stupid violent scenes.
Rated 04 Oct 2018
66
69th
I can understand a slow build-up but this is painfully slow for the first third. It also pulls every cliche it can to set up the finale. I'm never really convinced by Vince Vaughn either, he's fine but he only does exactly what is expected of him. Honestly though, the last act is so good it makes up for all the faults and than some.
Rated 13 May 2019
80
80th
Brutal and lunk headed, but well made and lots of fun once you get on the same wavelength as the material. Think Shawshank Redemption meets OldBoy. Vince Vaughn is very watchable as a human juggernaut bent on protecting his family while surrounded by various levels of villainy, of which Don Johnson is the most fun. Zahler has a keen sense of tone; serving up grittiness, outrageous action or humour as required, and in a way that consistently works. Highly enjoyable.
Rated 05 Nov 2018
80
57th
Unlock Vince Vaughn story mode.....check.
Rated 06 Jan 2019
55
30th
whatever happened between bone tomahawk and this...it must've been horrible.
Rated 02 Apr 2019
80
84th
Note to myself: would've had a higher rating if I liked the ending more.
Rated 14 Apr 2019
85
83rd
?iddetin gövde gösterisi.
Rated 16 Jun 2019
60
43rd
I'm not sure if I liked this or not. It seemed straight up bad at points, but I still enjoyed the ride. It didn't feel as original as Bone Tomahawk. It definitely had the trademark brutal violence though. It was a slow film, but I liked that it took its time. I wish a lot of the plot points didn't feel so contrived. Vaughn isn't exactly an actor with a wide range, but he works well enough here. I probably wouldn't recommend it, but I wouldn't dissuade anyone from watching it either.
Rated 18 Jun 2019
92
65th
This movie may haunt me for years, but in a good way. Kudos to this writer/director and also Vince Vaughn (one of his best roles to date). Beware, it is horrifically and extremely graphically violent but only near the end.
Rated 24 Jun 2019
75
83rd
Vince Vaughn'un çıplak ellerle araba parçaladığı film. İşinden kovulup, uyuşturucu kuryeliğine başlayan Bradley, iki meslektaşıyla kendini polise yakalattırır. Filmin sonu intikam klişesine dönüşse de şok edici. Ağır temposu gözleri yoruyor. Hareketli sahneler de var. Gardiyanla dövüş sahnesi müthiş. Vince Vaughn'un en iyi filmi. Düştüm mapus damlarına dayak yiyen çok olur.
Rated 18 Jul 2019
38
8th
I can deal with a slow burn if it builds to something worthwhile, but here the climax is graphically violent but laughably choreographed so the entire runtime felt wasted on me. Seriously, the fight scenes are a joke (Vaughan is a terrible action star), and I think most people just don't realise as they are too busy flinching away from the extremely gory bone breaks etc.
Rated 02 Sep 2019
25
10th
As disappointing as reaching for the creamer and discovering you picked up skim milk. For 2 hrs and 12 minutes.
Rated 08 Nov 2019
90
97th
Strong throwback vibes to the 1970s. Perhaps a better ode to grindhouse cinema than Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez's joint attempt. Not a particularly deep film, but a worthwhile watch for fans of the old ultra-violence.
Rated 05 Jun 2020
80
75th
Under Quarantine Film Reviews #118: Zahler has a clear pulpy/exploitation directing style and I'm all in for it.
Rated 18 Jul 2020
91
61st
Good ending.
Rated 22 Jul 2020
85
74th
What the hell has Vince Vaughn been doing wasting his career in low-effort B-tier comedies? Vaughn's performance as a former boxer forced by extreme circumstances to commit horrendous acts of violence in prison is harrowing, and reveals hidden talents in someone most of us considered washed up years ago.
Rated 30 Nov 2020
86
61st
If it weren't for the description we'd have no confirmation that Vaughn's character was a boxer. Even given the unnecessarily long and occasionally low quality first act (excluding the car beatdown of course), the indulgent runtime feels more necessary than Bone Tomahawk's. I could hardly bear to watch Vaughn fight the prison guard that just wanted him to join the boxing program, but once he starts stomping on those that deserve it it's beyond satisfying
Rated 12 Mar 2021
4
70th
Vince Vaughn puts forth a fine performance for someone whose head is apparently made of cake.
Rated 06 Jun 2021
65
58th
Saf aksiyon. Kesinlikle bayıldığım bir şey. Keşke ilk yarıdaki süreyi 30 dk azaltsaydınız da bu filme de bayılaydım. Olsun bu haliyle bile oldukça sağlam. İzleyin.
Rated 15 Jul 2021
99
97th
Great title, sounds so gritty and krazE. Best use of gore I have seen yet. Loved the grittiness. I loved the fight scenes. Impossible to predict or even peg vaguely. Better than no country for old men.
Rated 13 Feb 2023
70
67th
The basic plot could have been pulled from a direct-to-video action thriller, staring an aging action star, so kudos to director Zahler and star Vaughn for making it work. Their transition from "somewhat realistic" to "downward spiral through hell" was a bit jarring, but the finale, grim and ridiculous as it may have been, worked for me, even if the gore came across sillier than I expect was intended.

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