OctoArts Films | Release Date: October 6, 2017
7.2
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Generally favorable reviews based on 144 Ratings
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108
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Negative:
11
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5
SpangleOct 15, 2017
In his directorial debut two years ago, S. Craig Zahler created a gripping, scary, and deeply violent western. Bone Tomahawk was imperfect to be sure, but was nonetheless a fun bit of western horror, blending together two genres that rarelyIn his directorial debut two years ago, S. Craig Zahler created a gripping, scary, and deeply violent western. Bone Tomahawk was imperfect to be sure, but was nonetheless a fun bit of western horror, blending together two genres that rarely mesh together. Yet, in spite of this rather unique path, Zahler directed it with great gusto and skill. In the years since, Bone Tomahawk has largely become known for a scene of absolute horrific violence. For those that have seen the film, the scene needs no introduction. For those that have not, some things are better left as a mystery. Recognizing that audiences really responded to this slow burn style that explodes into graphic midnight madness violence, Zahler followed it up with Brawl in Cell Block 99. Starring Vince Vaughn, the film tells the story of a man sent to prison for trafficking drugs. After his wife is kidnapped, he is told he must get himself transferred to a maximum security prison and kill a man in the notorious Cell Block 99. A dark corner of the world that, as Warden Tuggs (Don Johnson) says, Amnesty International would frown upon, it is in this prison that much of the film is set.

As time goes on after the release of Brawl in Cell Block 99, it is hard to not imagine the film gaining a reputation for its violence. One scene in cinematic history that really sticks with me is in David Cronenberg's 1986 remake of The Fly. As two men arm wrestle, one of their arms snaps with the bones protruding. This, minus the arm wrestling, happens at least three times in Brawl in Cell Block 99 with limbs snapping like twigs under the weight of Bradley Thomas' (Vaughn) incredibly brawny exterior. Legs and arms, no matter. Similarly, a scene that has become infamous is one from American History X. In it, a skinhead curb stomps a black man. Fortunately, the viewer only has to hear the sound. In Brawl in Cell Block 99, three men have their heads crushed in with every gory detail shown and one even has their head repeatedly stomped on until it is decapitated. If this sounds like something you are into, then boy is Brawl in Cell Block 99 the film for you. For those that do not like this, then it is best to avoid this particular film.

Oddly enough, it is this violence that often holds the film back. It is graphic, yes, but the film is never quite disturbing. It is cartoonish, 1980s violence akin to Cronenberg including exploding heads in Scanners or body horror in any number of films. It is intended to creep audiences and make them uncomfortable, but often lacks the justification. Instead, it plays as cheap attempts to gross out the audience instead of actually carrying much purpose or weight. These moments can be carried out without such violence and its inclusion feels like recognition by Zahler that there is not enough meat on this film. It is cheap entertainment for those that enjoy excessive gore. It is a mean-spirited film that derives great pleasure from this level of violence to the point that it would suffice as an admission of insanity by Zahler.

Recognizing this lack of depth and coming to realization that this two-hour long film will really drag given the lack of depth, Zahler sprinkles in some thematic consideration early on about a variety of topics. Losing his job, finding out his wife is cheating, opting to run drugs for a friend to replace his income, and then eventually going to the end of the Earth to save his wife and child, Brawl in Cell Block 99 demonstrates the lengths a man will go to in order to save his family. Willing to sacrifice himself so that they may live, Bradley Thomas often serves as a representation of this drive and selflessness than even the most hardened criminal can demonstrate. However, beyond this rather simplistic element, Zahler's film does little it is not upfront about. Decrying conditions in American prisons, comparing them to European prisons, lamenting about the harsh treatment for drug offenders compared to violent offenders, showing the harsh and brutal conditions of maximum security prison that violates global mandates regarding torture, the horrible food, and the overcrowding, there are few hot-button prison-related issues that the film leaves untouched. Never really providing depth to them beyond Zahler using characters as mouthpieces to espouse these beliefs, Brawl in Cell Block 99 feels like a film of two worlds. On one hand, Zahler half-heartedly tries to provide depth by decrying the state of prisons in America. On the other, it is a horrifyingly violent film that serves as light-hearted midnight madness fare. In the end, neither side gels given Zahler's heavy-handed treatment of the former in order to focus on the latter. If actually given enough time to develop these themes, the film could have been quite the violent statement about the violence inherent in the system, but too often, the film seems to lose track of this messaging.

Furthermore, the film is
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5
xeisMay 1, 2019
So, this is on Netflix now so watched it without realising it was Vince Vaughn, I'm not sure it holds together. It's deliberately slow and clearly VV has been told to be "still", but it didn't really work as he seemed a little out of place.So, this is on Netflix now so watched it without realising it was Vince Vaughn, I'm not sure it holds together. It's deliberately slow and clearly VV has been told to be "still", but it didn't really work as he seemed a little out of place. I assume the film was made on a shoestring as the set and uniforms of the "guards" seemed very amateurish towards the end. The violence seems slow and stompy and not grounded in reality. The practical effects are good in parts but towards the end look like they were taken from scanners (which will be the takeaway if you are a certain age). There are memorable scenes though and the "horror" elements hold together. I thought the plot seemed consistent and well thought out, the "threat" was unique (really horrifying) and motivating and the characters seemed well developed. I think the lack of budget, poor set / costumes and stompy violence left me feeling there was a lot of potential unrealised here Expand
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4
HotelCentralAug 28, 2018
Some characters die, some characters survive. And, in the end, none of it seems to matter a damn. That's basically all there is to tell.
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5
TinoHMay 7, 2019
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Not bad, but not that good. An OK flick, wight fight scenes that resemble those from a parody.
I would say alltogether, it is a dramatic story played with a tone of parody set troughout the whole movie.
Interesting to see Vince Vaughn in this role though.
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6
NickTheCritickNov 2, 2021
A prison action movie that puts on the screen a lot fights and crazy characters. The style of Zahler here is so evident : dilated times, good editing, raw action. This movie feels like it's overlong and at least 20 minutes could be cut and itA prison action movie that puts on the screen a lot fights and crazy characters. The style of Zahler here is so evident : dilated times, good editing, raw action. This movie feels like it's overlong and at least 20 minutes could be cut and it is truly irrealistic. The character is an invincible being capable of knocking out. any horde of human beings lashing out at him. A story already seen. Expand
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4
dundoJun 16, 2023
4 stars
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4 stars
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