Grimsby

Grimsby

Year: 2016

Runtime: 83 mins

Language: English

Director: Louis Leterrier

ComedyAction

A highly skilled MI6 agent finds himself unexpectedly teaming up with his estranged, football hooligan brother. Wrongfully accused, they must evade capture while uncovering and thwarting a dangerous, worldwide conspiracy. Their unlikely partnership is tested as they navigate perilous situations and confront a sinister threat to global security.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Grimsby 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!

Timeline & Setting – Grimsby (2016)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Grimsby (2016). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Present day

The story unfolds in modern times with contemporary politics, pop culture references, and current espionage aesthetics. The pace hovers between outrageous action and satirical humor, anchored in a recognizable, contemporary world. The events appear to unfold over weeks, with rapid shifts between locales.

Location

Grimsby, England, WorldCure event venue, Chile Cup Final arena, South Africa lodge, Indonesia

Grimsby, England serves as the brothers' hometown and the base of Nobby's large family life. The WorldCure benefit becomes a staging ground for global intrigue, drawing both MI6 and criminal elements into one event. The action spans the Chilean arena for the England vs Germany final, a South African lodge, and Indonesian shores, reflecting the film’s globe-trotting backdrop.

🌊 Coastal town 🗺️ UK locale 🏟️ International venues

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 07:58

Main Characters – Grimsby (2016)

Meet the key characters of Grimsby (2016), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Nobby Butcher (Kyle Alan 'Nobby' Butcher)

An outspoken, boisterous former football hooligan who built a large family life in Grimsby with partner Dawn. He struggles with alcohol and impulsive decisions, yet remains fiercely loyal to his loved ones. His rough-and-tumble charm masks a protective heart as he reconnects with his estranged brother to confront a global threat.

🤝 Family loyalty 🍺 Alcoholic 🧭 Impulsive risk-taker

Sebastian Graves

A top MI6 agent and Nobby's brother, Sebastian is calm, calculating, and highly capable. He goes undercover and navigates deception with steady professionalism. His bond with Nobby is a crucial, redeeming element that keeps him grounded even in the face of danger.

🕵️ Spy 💼 Professional 🤐 Secretive

Rhonda George

A philanthropic billionaire whose WorldCure project hides a ruthless, calculating agenda. She wields wealth and influence to manipulate events and people to serve her larger plan. Her charm masks a dangerous willingness to sacrifice others for power.

🎭 Villainous mastermind 💎 Wealth & influence 🧭 Manipulative

Pavel Lukashenko

A deadly hitman with a cool, clinical approach to violence. He becomes a key antagonist, orchestrating attempts on Rhonda and clashing with the brothers. His precision and ruthlessness keep the chase tense and dangerous.

🗡️ Assassin 🧭 Calculated ⚖️ Moral ambiguity

Joris Smit

A South African contact with Lukashenko who operates within a shadowy criminal network. He is cool, dangerous, and capable of orchestrating complex schemes across continents. His alliance with Lukashenko drives crucial twists in the pursuit.

🌍 International connections 🤝 Criminal network 🕶️ Discreet operator

Schlomo Khalidi

Schlomo is an AIDS-infected boy whose existence becomes a shocking catalyst in the plot. The event surrounding him ties into the viral scare at the heart of WorldCure and its unintended consequences. He remains a focal point around which dramatic action and moral questions revolve.

🧬 Viral 💔 Tragic catalyst 👦 Child

Jodie Figgis

An MI6 handler who manages Sebastian’s operations and coordinates with the brothers. She embodies a practical, disciplined approach to espionage and serves as a crucial conduit for information and decisions.

🕵️‍♀️ Handler 💬 Communication 🤝 Loyal ally

Chilcott

An MI6 assassin sent to bring the brothers in, Chilcott is relentless and unyielding. His pursuit amplifies the thriller aspect of the story as the brothers try to outmaneuver him.

🗡️ Assassin 🔎 Pursuer ⚔️ Ruthless

Dawn Grobham

Nobby’s partner and mother of his 11 children, Dawn is steadfast, pragmatic, and supportive. She anchors the family in Grimsby and provides emotional grounding amid the chaos.

👪 Family resilience 💪 Protective 🎉 Cheerful

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 07:58

Major Themes – Grimsby (2016)

Explore the central themes of Grimsby (2016), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🤝 Family & Brotherhood

The film centers on two estranged brothers whose frayed bond is tested by danger and betrayal. They must relearn trust, forgive past hurts, and rely on each other to navigate a world of spies and criminals. The reconciliation is hard-won but essential to surviving the escalating threat.

🕵️ Espionage

MI6 involvement, undercover identities, and pursuit by hitmen drive the plot. The brothers juggle disguises and misdirections while navigating a web of allies and enemies. The tone blends spycraft with over-the-top, comic action.

🌍 Global Threat

WorldCure as a viral plot device raises stakes beyond a personal feud. The plan to unleash a dangerous virus at a public event creates a sense of international urgency. The climax hinges on stopping the weapon and exposing the mastermind behind the scheme.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 07:58

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.

Spy-Spoof Action Comedies like Grimsby

High-stakes spy missions meet outrageous, crude, and frantic humor.If you liked the outrageous blend of spy thriller and crude humor in Grimsby, you'll enjoy these movies. This list features films that take high-stakes espionage plots and inject them with absurdist comedy, frantic pacing, and darkly funny situations. Explore more action comedies that push the boundaries of good taste while delivering thrilling set-pieces.

absurdfranticirreverenttenseunhingedsatiricalaction-packedcrude humor

Narrative Summary

A serious, often elite protagonist is thrust into a world-threatening conspiracy, but their mission is complicated by an absurd partner, improbable obstacles, and a constant stream of crude humor. The narrative structure follows a conventional thriller plot, but the emotional tone and execution are dominated by irreverent, often shocking comedic set-pieces that test the limits of believability.

Why These Movies?

Movies in this thread are grouped by their unique tonal fusion. They share a commitment to both the tension of a spy plot and the relentless pace of absurd comedy. The similarity lies in the balancing act between high-intensity action and the deliberate, often grotesque, undercutting of that intensity for laughs.

Movies about Estranged Brothers on the Run like Grimsby

Opposite brothers forced together by danger, finding redemption on the road.For viewers who enjoyed the brotherly dynamic in Grimsby, this list features movies about mismatched siblings forced together by danger. These stories combine action, comedy, and a heartfelt theme of redemption as brothers evade capture and mend their relationship. Discover similar tales of improvised survival and sibling rivalry amidst chaos.

sibling rivalryon the runredemptionfrantictensechaoticimprovised survivalbrotherhood

Narrative Summary

The plot is catalyzed by a wrongful accusation or external threat that forces two estranged siblings—often one competent and one chaotic—to go on the run. Their journey is a series of escalating action sequences and comedic clashes, serving as a crucible for their relationship. The central arc involves moving from mutual resentment towards a grudging respect and eventual reconciliation, all while narrowly escaping capture.

Why These Movies?

These films share a core character dynamic and narrative structure. The grouping is based on the 'odd couple' siblings archetype, the 'on the run' plot device, and the emotional throughline of brotherly redemption. The experience blends action-comedy with a medium emotional weight centered on family bonds.

Unlock the Full Story of Grimsby

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

Grimsby Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Grimsby, 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.

Grimsby Summary

Grimsby Timeline

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

Grimsby Timeline

Grimsby Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Grimsby 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.

Grimsby Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Grimsby

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Grimsby: 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 Grimsby