Brawl in Cell Block 99

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1:40

Brawl in Cell Block 99

Released Oct 6, 2017

2h 12m

Action

Mystery & Thriller

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

90%

Tomatometer

99 Reviews

73%

Popcornmeter

5,000+ Ratings

A former boxer loses his job as an auto mechanic, and his troubled marriage is about to expire. At this crossroads in his life, he feels that he has no better option than to work as a drug courier. He soon finds himself in a gunfight between police officers and his own ruthless allies. When the smoke clears, Bradley is badly hurt and thrown in prison, where his enemies force him to commit acts of violence that turn the place into a savage battleground.

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Critics Consensus

Brawl in Cell Block 99 rides a committed Vince Vaughn performance into the brutally violent -- and undeniably entertaining -- depths of prison-set grindhouse genre fare.

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Tara Brady

Irish Times

Brawl in Cell Block 99 is a comeback and a showcase for the bone-dry delivery of Vince Vaughn, who has never brooded bigger and badder than he does here.

Rated: 4/5

Oct 23, 2017

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Ed Potton

Times (UK)

I can't remember violence in a film eliciting such verbal reactions.

Rated: 4/5

Oct 20, 2017

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Larushka Ivan-Zadeh

Metro Newspaper (UK)

[Vince] Vaughn is captivating in his vulnerable, forlorn-eyed, rage-fuelled intensity. More than anything, it's him that compels you to watch through these 132 demolishing minutes.

Rated: 3/5

Oct 19, 2017

Full Review

Brendan Cassidy

InSession Film

The year’s best film about brutal and emotional anger lies within S. Craig Zahler’s tribute to 1970’s exploitation films.

Jul 2, 2024

Full Review

Eddie Harrison

film-authority.com

…Vaughn has never been better than he is here…

Rated: 3/5

Jun 18, 2023

Full Review

Vadim Rizov

Filmmaker Magazine

As with Tomahawk, the film looks absolutely hideous: super-digital, with lots of interiors bathed in sick greens and grays. Please get this man a great color correction package for his next feature.

Jan 10, 2023

Full Review

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John S

I’ve relied on RT for many years to advise me on the quality of movies. For the most part, it’s been reliable. I have never written a review, but after wasting 2 hours of my time on this garbage of a movie, I felt compelled. Horrible acting, horrible stunt work and fight scenes, and just a total waste of time. One of the worst movies I’ve ever seen. RT gave this movie a 90? Someone got paid off.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

02/20/25

Full Review

Donnie G

This movie is unrealistic. Prison is not like they portrayed it at all. Federal inmates wear brown khaki uniforms. Not blue. That cell he was in was a SHU cell and you never get a single man cell. Makes it hard to take any of it seriously. Vince Vaughn is good but not a good movie as critics would suggest. If I hadn’t been to prison I may have enjoyed it more. Idk

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

01/24/25

Full Review

Niki E

I thought this movie was a must-see, it painted Vince Vaughn in a different light compared to other movies he acts in. Definitely more bad ass than normal, however, the only thing that really had me questioning the budget for the film was at the very end when they used a mannequin in his place. The fight scenes, blood and story line were all good

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/21/25

Full Review

Jonathan K

Okay I didn't realize this was grindhouse until after watching it. Probably should have been obvious given the over-the-top violence, but I thought it was just going to be an extra-brutal drama. The coloring is awful. Maybe it was the stream I watched, but I think this is just how it was filmed -- like a muted filter with low contrast. I get that it's trying to look grim and gritty, and it does... but it also just doesn't look good. It's like someone slapped on the Gingham Instagram filter and called it a day. The script’s a mixed bag -- some corny moments, slow spots, and a plot that feels way too convenient. But hey, it’s grindhouse, right? The acting is pretty rough, but I suppose that's to be expected as well. And that final headshot? So laughably fake -- is that part of the genre or just really cheap production? Honestly, I’m not sure why I'm not giving this a 1-star rating. Maybe I’m just a sucker for an antihero who is principled. Once I realized this was grindhouse, it made a lot more sense. I was probably supposed to laugh at the ridiculousness of it all.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

01/11/25

Full Review

Neil J

I am not sure if this was a spoof, or some attempt at humor. The special effects made me think its awfulness was on purpose. Attempted humor or serious movie, either way it was terrible.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

01/09/25

Full Review

Drew B

Honestly its one of those shitty movies that is so simple that it's good. Alot of whimsical killings. Overall a pretty decent movie.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/26/25

Full Review

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S. Craig Zahler

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Brawl in Cell Block 99: Teaser Trailer 1

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Synopsis

A former boxer loses his job as an auto mechanic, and his troubled marriage is about to expire. At this crossroads in his life, he feels that he has no better option than to work as a drug courier. He soon finds himself in a gunfight between police officers and his own ruthless allies. When the smoke clears, Bradley is badly hurt and thrown in prison, where his enemies force him to commit acts of violence that turn the place into a savage battleground.

Director: S. Craig Zahler
Producer: Dallas Sonnier, Jack Heller
Screenwriter: S. Craig Zahler
Distributor: RLJE Films
Production Co: IMG Media, XYZ Films
Genre: Action, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 6, 2017, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 13, 2017
Runtime: 2h 12m

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