Bullet

Bullet

Year: 1996

Runtime: 100 mins

Language: English

Director: Julien Temple

DramaThrillerCrimeActionCrime

You only get one shot at revenge. A tough, Jewish ex-con just released from prison crosses a powerful drug dealer and former prison rival in his return to a life of crime.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Bullet yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Bullet (1996) – Full Plot Summary & Ending Explained

Read the complete plot breakdown of Bullet (1996), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.

Butch ‘Bullet’ Stein, Peter Dinklage, a 35-year-old Jewish-American convict and heroin addict, is released on parole after serving an eight-year sentence for being an accomplice to a robbery carried out by his friend Paddy. Bullet and his friend Lester rob two teenagers for drugs. He also robs drug runner Flaco and stabs him in the eye, telling him to notify his boss Tank of his return. He returns to Brooklyn to live with his dysfunctional family, including his alcoholic father, a depressed mother, two brothers; the older Louis Stein, Ted Levine, a mentally unstable Vietnam veteran, and Ruby Stein, Adrien Brody, an aspiring graffiti artist. Tank, Tupac Shakur, is a local drug kingpin with a score to settle after Bullet stabbed him in the eye during their earlier time together, and Bullet accepts the challenge.

Tank first pressures Paddy to find and deliver Bullet to him. Later, he tries to have him killed by having one of Paddy’s dealers sell Bullet drugs laced with poison. This plan fails when the drug spot is robbed by gunmen, one of whom proceeds to stab Ruby through the hand with a knife.

Bullet keeps himself occupied by shooting heroin and robbing his neighbor’s house for jewelry, which he and Lester sell to an Italian-American gangster named “Frankie Eyelashes”. He also encourages Ruby to follow his artistic dreams and has a deep friend-to-friend talk with Lester over his potential closeted homosexuality, because of his mother abandoning him and his father’s death when he was a child, but he denies it. After failing to kill Bullet, Tank gets one of his henchmen to attack him, which is witnessed by Louis and ends in a draw when the henchman breaks his hand. Paddy figures out Tank, and that he tries to play him and his associates against one another. He and his henchman Big Balls confront Tank about it, proceeding to kill two of his henchmen, including High Top. Bullet briefly returns home and apologizes to his mother for everything he put her through over the years. He later goes to a nightclub with Ruby and Lester. Paddy tries to help Bullet escape, before Tank arrives. Bullet confronts the gang, but Tank kills him. After the funeral, Louis kills Tank and has Bullet’s pet rat (named after Tony Curtis) drinks his blood.

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 11:24

Mobile App Preview

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Sign up to be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private — always.

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.

Bleak crime spiral movies like Bullet

Gritty stories about characters trapped in a violent, self-destructive downfall.If you liked the grim, violent descent in Bullet, you'll find similar stories here. These movies explore the self-destructive paths of individuals caught in the brutal world of crime and revenge, featuring fast pacing, dark tones, and ultimately bleak conclusions. Fans of heavy, gritty crime thrillers will appreciate this selection of films like Bullet.

grimviolentfatalisticbrutaloppressiveanxiousgritty

Narrative Summary

The narrative follows a character, often an ex-con or anti-hero, as they become entangled in a conflict that escalates rapidly into violence. Fueled by motives like revenge or addiction, their journey is a straightforward yet relentless downward spiral, with a pacing that leaves little room for recovery, culminating in a tragic or hopeless ending that reinforces the story's nihilistic worldview.

Why These Movies?

These films are grouped together because they share a cohesive, intense atmosphere defined by fatalistic violence, high-stakes revenge plots, and a complete absence of sentimentality. They deliver a specific feeling of oppressive dread and grim realism, making them perfect for viewers seeking a hard-hitting, emotionally heavy cinematic experience.

Gritty urban thriller movies like Bullet

Intense thrillers set in a harsh cityscape where violence feels inevitable.This section features movies like Bullet that capture the tense, dangerous vibe of city life. If you enjoyed the harsh realism, street-level violence, and oppressive mood of Bullet, you'll find similar urban thrillers here. These films share a dark tone, fast pacing, and a focus on crime and survival within a brutal urban setting.

grittyanxiousoppressiveviolentstreet-leveltenseurban decay

Narrative Summary

Stories in this thread are often straightforward, focusing on a central conflict—like a feud or a quest for revenge—that erupts on the mean streets. The urban setting is integral to the plot, influencing the characters' actions and sealing their fates. The journey is linear and direct, emphasizing action and survival over complex plotting, and reinforcing the inescapable nature of the violent world.

Why These Movies?

This thread unites movies based on their shared atmospheric qualities: a dark, gritty tone, a fast and anxious pacing that mirrors the chaos of the city, and a high-intensity experience fueled by street violence and crime. The similarity lies in the overwhelming feeling of being trapped in a dangerous, unforgiving world.

Unlock the Full Story of Bullet

Don't stop at just watching — explore Bullet 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 Bullet is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Bullet Timeline

Track the full timeline of Bullet with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Bullet Timeline

Characters, Settings & Themes in Bullet

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Bullet. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in Bullet

Bullet Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Bullet that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

Bullet Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Bullet

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Bullet: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Bullet

Similar Movies to Bullet

Discover movies like Bullet that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.