Watch Vince Vaughn’s Hidden Action Talent in ‘Brawl in Cellblock 99’ Streaming Free

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When it comes to considering the profession of Vince Vaughn, one might not immediately associate him with violent action films. However, surprisingly, one of his recent successes falls under that category – but in an unusual manner: the 2017 film “Brawl in Cell Block 99.” Written and directed by S. Craig Zahler, who also brought us “Bone Tomahawk,” this movie skillfully uses Vaughn’s natural charm to place him at the heart of a grim narrative about manipulation, vengeance, and countless fractured bones.

I must admit, Vaughn’s role in that particular film stood out as something unique in his body of work when it first came out, and even now, it retains a degree of singularity. Yet, looking back, I realize he’s always been open to venturing into the depths, even amidst his more popular comedy projects. He truly embodied the character, serving as a solid pillar for one of the top action films of the 2010s. For movie enthusiasts who find fist fights their cinematic solace, it could make an intriguingly unconventional pairing with Vaughn’s latest film, the delightful culinary comedy “Nonnas“.

‘Brawl in Cell Block 99’s Dark Descent

In the movie “Brawl“, Vaughn plays the character Bradley, a man grappling with his explosive anger. The film sets the stage dramatically for him as he arrives home jobless, only to find his wife Lauren (played by Jennifer Carpenter) has been unfaithful. After ordering her indoors, an enraged Bradley wreaks havoc on her car with his bare hands. Once he’s vented his frustration, the couple attempt to patch things up. Facing financial hardship, Bradley then resorts to illegal drug trafficking as a means of survival.

Following a job that didn’t go as planned, Bradley finds himself incarcerated. In prison, a puzzling character called the Placid Man (portrayed by Udo Kier), an ally of his drug lord boss, pays him a visit. The Placid Man entrusts him with a rather unsettling task: arrange for his own transfer to Redleaf, a top-security prison, to eliminate an inmate who the kingpin wants out of circulation. To ensure compliance, the Placid Man warns him that if he fails, his wife and upcoming child will face danger.

Following his transfer to Redleaf Prison under the watchful eye of strict warden Tuggs (played by Don Johnson), Bradley is compelled to navigate progressively deeper into the prison’s darkest corners, engaging in one grueling and skillfully orchestrated hand-to-hand combat sequence after another. By the time he reaches Cell Block 99, a place where only the most depraved criminals are housed, it seems as though both Bradley and the viewers have been plunged into the very depths of Hell itself.

‘Brawl’s Unique Take on the Prison Action Movie

To avoid giving the impression that “Brawl in Cell Block 99” is just a typical prison action movie, it’s crucial to keep in mind that this film is the work of S. Craig Zahler, who also wrote and directed it after his 2015 horror-tinged western “Bone Tomahawk.” Similarly to “Tomahawk,” “Brawl” follows a deliberate, measured pace punctuated by sudden bursts of intense, shocking violence that might challenge even veteran genre enthusiasts’ expectations.

As a cinephile, I can say that while “Brawl in Cell Block 99” doesn’t lean heavily on graphic violence like some of the most disturbing scenes in “Bone Tomahawk,” it certainly has its fair share of broken bones and bloodied faces. However, as the story progresses and our protagonist reaches the titular cell block, things start to shift away from gritty realism. The violence becomes more stylized, a deliberate choice by director S. Craig Zahler that harkens back to the exploitation films of yesteryear. This shift in tone and style towards the end feels less like a budgetary necessity and more like an intentional homage to the raw, unapologetic violence found in those classic prison movies.

During its intense fighting scenes, Brawl in Cell Block 99 showcases the hard yet refined dialogue that Zahler is famous for. Just like the enjoyment of watching actors bring to life Zahler’s terse yet poetic speech in Bone Tomahawk, the same pleasure can be found in Brawl. To date, Zahler has only directed three films, with his latest being 2018’s Dragged Across Concrete, which also stars Vaughn. Although he may not have the fame of some action-focused filmmakers, he stands out as one of the most unique voices in the genre, demonstrating a novelist’s ability with language and a willingness to let a story unfold at its own leisurely pace (Zahler has also written several novels).

In simpler terms, the movie isn’t always easy to watch, even for fans of that genre, but it remains one of the most unique action films from its time. The film didn’t exactly make Vaughn into an action star like Liam Neeson, but it showed a hidden potential for chaos beneath his friendly demeanor. Before Brawl in Cell Block 99, it might have been hard to picture Vaughn as the lead in an action movie, but after experiencing its gruesome world, it’s no longer surprising.

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2025-05-17 19:02