21 Bridges
Performance & Direction: 21 Bridges Review
Last updated: January 23, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is 21 Bridges (2019) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a HIT with a verified audience rating of 6.8/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Crime.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Crime is often anchored by its ensemble, and 21 Bridges features a noteworthy lineup led by Chadwick Boseman . Supported by the likes of Sienna Miller and J.K. Simmons , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
In summary, our editorial assessment of 21 Bridges (2019) is generally positive. With an audience rating of 6.8/10, it stands as a highly recommended experience for genre enthusiasts.
Story & Plot Summary: 21 Bridges
Quick Plot Summary: 21 Bridges is a Crime, Action, Drama film that dives into the criminal underworld with a grounded sense of realism and complex morality. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.
Story Breakdown
The film presents its narrative with careful attention to pacing and character development. An embattled NYPD detective, is thrust into a citywide manhunt for a pair of cop killers after uncovering a massive and unexpected conspiracy. As the night unfolds, lines become blurred on who he is pursuing, and who is in pursuit of him. The story unfolds naturally, allowing viewers to become invested in the outcome while maintaining engagement throughout.
Narrative Structure
- Opening Hook: The film establishes its world and central conflict efficiently in the opening act.
- Character Arc: The main character shows growth throughout the story, though some supporting characters could have been more fully realized. The arc is present but occasionally predictable.
- Climax & Resolution: The climax brings together the narrative threads, providing resolution while staying true to the established tone.
Ending Explained: 21 Bridges
Ending Breakdown: 21 Bridges concludes its story with a mix of closure and open interpretation. The finale presents its approach to crime resolution.
The emotional climax centers on character transformation, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the crime themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of 21 Bridges reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
21 Bridges Real vs. Reel: Is it Based on a True Story?
21 Bridges incorporates elements from real criminal cases. As a crime, action, drama film, it navigates the space between factual accuracy and narrative engagement.
Historical Context
The film takes creative liberties to enhance dramatic impact. Core events maintain connection to source material while adapting for theatrical presentation.
Creative interpretation shapes the final narrative, focusing on emotional truth over strict chronology.
Accuracy Assessment: 21 Bridges adapts its source material for dramatic purposes. The film prioritizes thematic resonance over documentary precision.
Who Should Watch 21 Bridges?
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Crime films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of the cast or director
- Want solid genre entertainment
Box Office Collection: 21 Bridges
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $33.0M |
| Worldwide Gross | $49.9M |
| Trade Verdict | CLEAN HIT |
21 Bridges Budget
The estimated production budget for 21 Bridges is $33.0M. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.
Top Cast: 21 Bridges
All Cast & Crew →
Where to Watch 21 Bridges Online?
Streaming Hub📺 Stream on
Lionsgate Play
Lionsgate Play Apple TV Channel
Lionsgate Play Amazon Channel21 Bridges Parents Guide & Age Rating
2019 AdvisoryWondering about 21 Bridges age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of 21 Bridges is 99 minutes (1h 39m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 6.8/10, and global performance metrics, 21 Bridges is classified as a HIT. It remains an essential part of the 2019 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 21 Bridges worth watching?
21 Bridges is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Crime movies. It has a verified rating of 6.8/10 and stands as a HIT in our box office analysis.
Where can I find 21 Bridges parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for 21 Bridges identifies it as R. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of 21 Bridges?
The total duration of 21 Bridges is 99 minutes, which is approximately 1h 39m long.
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How 21 Bridges Compares & Where it Ranks
Critic Reviews for 21 Bridges
Andre Davis (Chadwick Boseman) is the NYPD detective tasked with the case of two criminals who kill several police officers during a drug heist. The deaths enrage an entire precinct, and the captain (J.K. Simmons) now has a bunch of trigger-happy cops thirsting for revenge. He decides to pair Andre with a DEA agent (Sienna Miller). But the incident also uncovers a conspiracy, and Andre doesn’t know whom to trust. He has just one night to solve the case and catch the killers before they escape the city of Manhattan. Chadwick Boseman’s rendition of Andre Davis is intense, and the actor has a commanding on-screen presence as well. He continues to display a lot of range in his acting repertoire to prove, yet again, why he deserves to be a leading man. J.K. Simmons is perfectly cast as Captain McKenna, who makes you really care about why the police deaths matter so much to him and the rest of the cops. Sienna Miller is also impressive in a restrained performance as the DEA agent Frankie Burns. On the other side of the law, Taylor Kitsch and Stephan James make a strong pair. Kitsch plays Raymond Jackson, a sharpshooter who knows how to dispatch whoever is in his sights, and James plays Michael Trujillo, the brains of the operation, who needs to figure how to escape without getting arrested. Although the plot is neither new nor inventive in any way, it has an interesting setup with perspectives from both sides of the law. Director Brian Kirk shoots the film, particularly the action, well enough to keep the pace engaging throughout. The screenplay has the potential to explore different motivations, but the film barely scratches the surface of its subject matter. If you’re familiar with the crime thriller genre, the chances are you’ll predict the outcome because we’ve seen this story play out many times before. Despite that, you’ll still enjoy ‘21 Bridges’, because the action combined with its competent cast and their performances make it highly watchable.
Some neato throwback vibes in this moderately enjoyable and **very** predictable crime thriller. _Final rating:★★½ - Had a lot that appealed to me, didn’t quite work as a whole._
Exhilarating, powerful, edge-of-your-seat. Chadwick Boseman was amazing. Don't get why there's a lot of negativity about this film - it was superb. Combined with a well laid out storyline, amazing cast, background music and produced by the director of Avengers Endgame!
A very good action thriller. '21 Bridges' has an excellent showing from Chadwick Boseman, everything else isn't quite up to his level though is all still very good. The support cast, which includes the likes of J. K. Simmons and Taylor Kitsch, pacing and music are my main pluses for this 2019 flick. It's far from perfect of course, but I personally I got what I wanted from it and would happily watch it again.
movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
