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Breaking

  • 2022
  • PG-13
  • 1h 43m
IMDb RATING
6.3/10
10K
YOUR RATING
Michael Kenneth Williams and John Boyega in Breaking (2022)
A Marine war veteran faces mental and emotional challenges when he tries to reintegrate back into civilian life.
Play trailer2:16
9 Videos
22 Photos
DocudramaTrue CrimeCrimeDramaThriller

A Marine war veteran faces mental and emotional challenges when he tries to reintegrate into civilian life.A Marine war veteran faces mental and emotional challenges when he tries to reintegrate into civilian life.A Marine war veteran faces mental and emotional challenges when he tries to reintegrate into civilian life.

  • Director
    • Abi Damaris Corbin
  • Writers
    • Abi Damaris Corbin
    • Kwame Kwei-Armah
    • Aaron Gell
  • Stars
    • John Boyega
    • Nicole Beharie
    • Selenis Leyva
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.3/10
    10K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Abi Damaris Corbin
    • Writers
      • Abi Damaris Corbin
      • Kwame Kwei-Armah
      • Aaron Gell
    • Stars
      • John Boyega
      • Nicole Beharie
      • Selenis Leyva
    • 75User reviews
    • 88Critic reviews
    • 66Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 5 wins & 5 nominations total

    Videos9

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 2:16
    Official Trailer
    Breaking
    Trailer 2:16
    Breaking
    Breaking
    Trailer 2:16
    Breaking
    John Boyega Asks His 'Breaking' Co-Stars Anything
    Clip 4:04
    John Boyega Asks His 'Breaking' Co-Stars Anything
    The Legacy of Michael Kenneth Williams
    Clip 4:07
    The Legacy of Michael Kenneth Williams
    Breaking: Trigger The Alarm
    Clip 1:29
    Breaking: Trigger The Alarm
    Breaking: Wait, Wait, Wait
    Clip 1:15
    Breaking: Wait, Wait, Wait

    Photos22

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    + 18
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    Top cast43

    Edit
    John Boyega
    John Boyega
    • Brian Brown-Easley
    Nicole Beharie
    Nicole Beharie
    • Estel Valerie
    Selenis Leyva
    Selenis Leyva
    • Rosa Diaz
    Michael Kenneth Williams
    Michael Kenneth Williams
    • Eli Bernard
    Connie Britton
    Connie Britton
    • Lisa Larson
    Jeffrey Donovan
    Jeffrey Donovan
    • Major Riddick
    Olivia Washington
    Olivia Washington
    • Cassandra Brown-Easley
    London Covington
    London Covington
    • Kiah Easley
    Robb Derringer
    Robb Derringer
    • Chief Jack Quail
    Carmine Giovinazzo
    Carmine Giovinazzo
    • Ken Pierce
    Kate Burton
    Kate Burton
    • Tami Stackhouse
    Albert Kong
    Albert Kong
    • Steve Yen
    Elise Neal
    Elise Neal
    • Juanita
    Kelli Dawn Hancock
    Kelli Dawn Hancock
    • Briefing Officer
    • (as Kelli Hancock)
    Mel Fair
    Mel Fair
    • Mark Cavanaugh
    Keith Ewell
    Keith Ewell
    • Keith James
    Miriam Silverman
    Miriam Silverman
    • Hana
    Shannon Walsh
    Shannon Walsh
    • 911 Julie
    • Director
      • Abi Damaris Corbin
    • Writers
      • Abi Damaris Corbin
      • Kwame Kwei-Armah
      • Aaron Gell
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews75

    6.310K
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    Featured reviews

    8mwillis-92229

    LOW RATINGS FROM THOSE WHO JUST DON'T CARE

    LOW RATINGS FROM THOSE WHO JUST DON'T CARE Anyone who understands the human condition of dealing with a society that doesn't care about the most vulnerable people who struggle day after day, will appreciate the message of this important movie. It's not only veterans who face homelessness, it's also those who suffer from mental illness. In any case, they are mostly alone and struggling to figure out how to get the help they need. By the time they get any direction on where to go and who to ask, they are already beaten down and their spirits are broken. This is the point for them in which death means peace and freedom.
    7jaymakak

    Who doesn't like Discount Denzel?

    John Boyega even bears a striking resemblance to Denzel Washington while simulating the borrowed mannerisms and speech patterns he performs with great aplomb.

    Michael Kenneth Williams shows one last time why his character artistry is so profoundly missed.

    Not the first time this story, or one nearly identicle to it has been told, but the underlying theme bears repeating. And until the very apparatus that was created to care for all Americans who served this country can be reasonably adequate in addressing the problems assocated with modern warfare and combat in general, tragedies like this will continue to occur.
    gortx

    Solid drama with fine performances

    Solid drama based on the true story of an ex-Marine who took over a Georgia bank in 2017 threatening to blow it and a pair employees up with a bomb. The soldier, Brian Brown-Easley, played by John Boyega has been caught up in a dispute with The Veteran's Administration. At wit's end, he decides that making a spectacle will get the attention of the media.

    Director and Co-Writer Abi Damaris Corbin sets up the situation in a fairly straightforward manner. The emphasis is clearly on Brown-Easley as the movie methodically shows the hours leading up to the takeover. As the situation escalates, we get more glimpses of his ex-wife and child. The two bank employees provide an element of immediate endangerment. Nicole Beharie is particularly good as the calm but determined manager as is the late Michael K. Williams as the hostage negotiator.

    When the movie moves past the immediate hostage situation inside the bank, the script gets a bit more dicey. The point of view and background details get a bit muddled. The acting holds it together, but, a more directed narrative would have tightened the suspense all the more. Brown-Easley's story did all too briefly cast a light on military veterans' plight, but, alas, the moment passed soon after the situation was finalized.

    BREAKING is good calling card for Corbin, and Boyega's performance should lead to more opportunities outside the Star Wars/sci-fi universe.
    9imseeg

    Based on a true story. Terrific acting performances. Gripping direction. Leaves me behind in silence and awe...

    Beware: this is NOT an action movie, but a slowburning actor's DRAMA.

    The story: An American war veteran (John Boyega) isnt paid the 892 dollars he is entitled to. Desperate for money and suffering from post traumatic stress disorder, he looses his mind and takes hostages at a bank in order to pressure the government to pay him the 892 dollars. And NOT a single dollar more!

    Does this story sound too crazy to be true, think again, because this has actually happened for real! We get to hear the real 911 call from the real hostage taker at the very end of the movie during the credits.

    This movie is on an entirely different level. I havent been taken a back like this by a movie for a long time...

    First of all I must applaud the terrific acting performances by ALL of the actors involved.

    John Boyega is probably best known for his comical Star Wars movie role, but in this movie he proofs he can really ACT well in a serious, hardhitting drama.

    The direction of this movie is non stop suspenseful from start till finish. I literally sat on the edge of my seat, during the final half hour of this devestating story.

    Everything from photography, to sound, to editing is masterfully done as well.

    Beware: Not a movie to be recommended for those who seek cheap action packed entertainment, but a movie to be HIHGLY recommended for those who dont shy away from a devastating, true to life DRAMA, with a bleak and depressing moral message inside...

    The most earth shattering drama I have witnessed these last couple of months... THIS is why I love the cinema!
    8danieljfarthing

    A hard-hitting, classy, true-tale drama - excellently performed & directed

    In true-tale drama "Breaking" John Boyega superbly channels Denzel Washington as a US Marine vet in Georgia who facing destitution when unfairly denied $793 by Veterans Affairs in 2017, held up a bank to highlight his case. Thru the ensuing tense siege (with hostages Nicole Bahari & Selenis Leyva) Boyega talks with po-po (inc Michael Kenneth Williams & Jeffrey Donovan), press (inc Connie Britton) & family (Olivia Washington & London Covington)... but where's it headed? Excellently performed (esp Boyega & Bahari) and terrifically directed (by Abi Damari Corbin (who also co-wrote it with Kwame Kwei-Armah)) this is a hard-hitting & classy movie indeed.

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Final film appearance of Michael Kenneth Williams
    • Quotes

      Brian Brown-Easley: Wait. Wait. Wait. Wait! Wait! Wait!, that's all I've been told, is to wait! What do I need to do to get the attention I need *right now*!

    • Crazy credits
      In the opening scenes, the movie title BREAKING can be seen printed in white letters on the road as Brian is walking with his back to the camera.
    • Connections
      Referenced in Everything Wrong with...: Everything Wrong With AmbuLAnce in 21 Minutes or Less (2023)

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    FAQ18

    • How long is Breaking?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • August 26, 2022 (Canada)
    • Countries of origin
      • United States
      • United Kingdom
    • Official site
      • Official site
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Quiebre
    • Filming locations
      • Los Angeles, California, USA
    • Production companies
      • Salmira Productions
      • Little Lamb
      • UpperRoom Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $2,806,359
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $985,921
      • Aug 28, 2022
    • Gross worldwide
      • $2,806,359
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 43 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

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