22 Bullets

22 Bullets

Year: 2010

Runtime: 117 mins

Language: French

CrimeDramaThrillerCrime

The revenge of the Professional. A retired mobster goes on a revenge spree after being left for dead with 22 bullets in his body by his former childhood friend.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – 22 Bullets (2010)

Explore the full timeline and setting of 22 Bullets (2010). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Contemporary, early 2010s

The events take place in a modern era, with current-style law enforcement, surveillance, and digital evidence. The plot centers on present-day organized crime and personal vengeance. The timeframe supports the use of a USB drive as incriminating evidence and a police investigation stretching over weeks rather than years.

Location

Marseille, France

Set in a coastal French city known for its port and nearby beaches, the story unfolds across urban streets, docks, and a seaside finale. The underworld and street-level crime thread through the city, affecting daily life and safety. The finale widens to a beachside scene that underscores the personal stakes for Matteï and his family.

🌆 City setting 🛥️ Port city 🏖️ Beach finale

Last Updated: November 22, 2025 at 15:36

Main Characters – 22 Bullets (2010)

Meet the key characters of 22 Bullets (2010), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Charly Matteï (Jean Reno)

A recently retired mafia boss who longs for a peaceful family life but remains highly skilled and dangerous. After surviving the ambush, he relentlessly pursues those responsible, guided by a quiet, methodical sense of justice. His past both defines him and haunts him, pushing him toward revenge while he tries to protect his loved ones.

🗡️ Revenge 👨‍👩‍👧 Family

Marie Goldman (Marina Foïs)

A determined policewoman investigating the parking lot shooting and the broader money-laundering case. She is principled and frustrated by the system, yet she’s driven by the memory of her husband’s murder and a desire to see real justice. Her alliance with Matteï complicates her sense of duty and personal vendetta.

👮‍♀️ Police ⚖️ Duty

Tony Zacchia (Kad Merad)

A ruthless mafia boss orchestrating the ambush and the subsequent criminal network. He wields influence and manipulates others to shield his operations, showing a pragmatic and calculating side behind a veneer of control. His conflict with Matteï exposes the brutal reach of his empire.

🧠 Power 💼 Crime

Karim (Moussa Maaskri)

Matteï’s longtime friend who becomes a casualty of the escalating violence. His murder deepens Matteï’s resolve for vengeance and highlights the personal costs of a life tied to crime. He represents loyalty tested by fear and betrayal.

🤝 Friendship 💔 Betrayal

Stella Matteï (Catherine Samie)

Matteï’s wife, a steady anchor for the family who embodies protection and resilience. She navigates fear and hope as the threat looms over their home and children. Her presence emphasizes the human stakes beyond the violence.

👩‍👧 Family 🛡️ Protector

Anatole Matteï (Max Baissette de Malglaive)

Matteï’s young son, whose kidnapping places the family’s safety at the forefront of the plot. His predicament amplifies the urgency of Matteï’s actions and the emotional core of the film. His fate is a constant reminder of innocence caught in a criminal war.

👶 Child 🛡️ Protection

Last Updated: November 22, 2025 at 15:36

Major Themes – 22 Bullets (2010)

Explore the central themes of 22 Bullets (2010), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🗡️ Revenge

Charly Matteï’s quest to avenge the attackers drives the narrative from ambush to confrontation. He navigates a moral tightrope, choosing violence when necessary but yearning to spare his family and bystanders. The pursuit reveals how personal vendettas can entangle friends and allies, amplifying the cost of revenge.

👪 Family

The protection of his wife Stella and son Anatole anchors Matteï’s decisions. His past life clashes with his present duty as a father, forcing him to consider how far he will go to keep his family safe. The film uses family bonds to heighten emotional stakes and humanize a life of crime.

⚖️ Justice

The police investigation, led by Marie Goldman, foregrounds questions of duty versus vengeance. Authority encounters a murky line between pursuing killers and allowing Matteï to mete out his own form of justice. The USB drive and eventual arrest reveal the fragility of legal outcomes in the face of organized crime.

Last Updated: November 22, 2025 at 15:36

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Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Movies about cathartic underworld revenge like 22 Bullets

Retired professionals pushed to the brink enact brutal, calculated payback.If you enjoyed the brutal, calculated revenge story in 22 Bullets, this list features similar movies. Explore other gritty crime thrillers where retired professionals are forced back into a violent world to settle a score, blending intense action with a heavy emotional core.

revenge-drivengrittycathartictensemelancholicviolentatmosphericsuspenseful

Narrative Summary

These narratives typically begin with a brutal inciting incident that shatters a fragile peace, sending a highly capable but reluctant protagonist on a linear path of violent confrontation. The story is driven by investigation and action, leading to a final confrontation that provides closure but often at a significant personal cost, leaving the protagonist in a state of reflective, melancholy peace.

Why These Movies?

Movies are grouped here for their shared focus on a specific type of revenge arc: one born from deep personal betrayal within a criminal context, executed with professional precision, and resolved with a tone that mixes visceral satisfaction with emotional weight and a bittersweet conclusion.

Gritty crime syndicate betrayal movies like 22 Bullets

Stories where loyalty is tested and the criminal world turns inward.For viewers who liked the themes of mob life and betrayal in 22 Bullets, this section collects similar movies. Discover other intense dramas and thrillers centered on childhood friends or allies within a crime syndicate turning on each other, leading to violent and morally complex confrontations.

tensegrittybetrayalcrime syndicatesuspensefuldramaticcorruptionruthless

Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern revolves around a tight-knit criminal organization where a deep-seated bond, often familial or fraternal, is shattered by greed or ambition. This betrayal triggers a violent chain reaction, pitting former brothers against each other and forcing characters to choose sides in a world where trust is the ultimate currency and its loss is fatal.

Why These Movies?

These films are grouped by their core setting and conflict: the insular world of organized crime and the specific dramatic tension that comes from a betrayal from within. They share a dark tone, high stakes, and a focus on the personal devastation wrought by corruption and broken trust.

Unlock the Full Story of 22 Bullets

Don't stop at just watching — explore 22 Bullets in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what 22 Bullets is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

22 Bullets Summary

Read a complete plot summary of 22 Bullets, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

22 Bullets Summary

22 Bullets Timeline

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22 Bullets Timeline

22 Bullets Spoiler-Free Summary

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22 Bullets Spoiler-Free Summary

More About 22 Bullets

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