Never Back Down
Seen it?2008 | 113 min | Drama, Action
Weeknight WatchWhy it’s a Weeknight Watch
With just 23% on Rotten Tomatoes, it's a mixed bag. Fine if it's on; don't plan your night around it.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for action fans. If you loved Warrior or Beast, start here. Audiences love it more than critics do: a crowd-pleaser first.
- The mood
- Exciting.
- The pace
- Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 53 min.
- What might put you off
- Rated PG-13. Probably too much for younger kids.
- Critics were cooler on it than audiences.
Jake, full of anger after his father's death, is just starting to find a place for himself at his new Orlando high school - until Ryan, head of an underground MMA fight club, picks Jake out as a prime opponent. After being trounced by Ryan in front of the entire school, Jake begins training under the firm, moral guidance of a MMA master, where he learns how to fight... and how to avoid a fight. But it becomes obvious that a rematch will be inevitable if Jake wants to stop Ryan and his bullying, once and for all.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsWeak
23% on Rotten Tomatoes, 39 on Metacritic
- AudiencesSolid
6.8 out of 10
- AwardsWeak
1 win and 0 nominations from smaller awards and festivals
- Box office & staying powerSolid
$42 million worldwide on a $20 million budget
- Buzz & cultural impactSolid
About 166K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
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Cast & crew
Directed by Jeff Wadlow
- Sean FarisJake Tyler
- Amber HeardBaja Miller
- Cam GigandetRyan McCarthy
- Djimon HounsouJean Roqua
- Evan PetersMax Cooperman
- Leslie HopeMargot Tyler
- Wyatt SmithCharlie Tyler
- Neil Brown Jr.Aaron
- Lauren LeechJenny
- Tilky JonesEric