Redbelt

Year: 2008

Runtime: 99 min

Language: English

Director: David Mamet

Budget: $7M

ActionDramaSport

Mike Terry, a dedicated jujitsu instructor in Los Angeles, finds his quiet life disrupted by a series of events involving a police officer and a lawyer. These encounters unexpectedly pull him into the dangerous world of professional fighting. Forced to confront his personal struggles and a troubled past, he must fight to restore his reputation and reclaim his honor amidst the complexities of the legal system and the brutal realities of the fighting circuit.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Redbelt 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 – Redbelt (2008)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Redbelt (2008). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 19:46

Main Characters – Redbelt (2008)

Meet the key characters of Redbelt (2008), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 19:46

Major Themes – Redbelt (2008)

Explore the central themes of Redbelt (2008), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 19:46

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.

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 fighting corruption like Redbelt

Honorable individuals forced to battle a rigged system to survive.If you liked the story of Mike Terry's struggle against a corrupt fighting world in Redbelt, you'll appreciate these movies. This list features similar dramas and thrillers where principled underdogs are forced to challenge a rigged system, focusing on themes of honor, survival, and moral compromise in high-stakes environments.

grittydeterminedmorally conflictedtenseanxiousfatalisticresilient

Narrative Summary

These narratives typically follow a protagonist with a clear set of ethics whose quiet life is disrupted by an encounter with systemic corruption. They are drawn into a conflict where the rules are stacked against them, forcing them to use their unique skills—often physical or moral—in a high-stakes battle to reclaim their honor and livelihood.

Why These Movies?

Movies are grouped here because they share a core conflict of an individual's integrity clashing with institutional deceit. They create a tense, gritty atmosphere centered on moral dilemmas, financial struggle, and the high cost of standing up for what's right, resulting in a heavy emotional weight and often a bittersweet resolution.

Movies with bittersweet victories like Redbelt

Stories where winning the battle comes with profound personal loss.Fans of Redbelt's ending, where Mike Terry wins but at a great personal cost, will find similar narratives here. This collection features movies with bittersweet conclusions, where the protagonist achieves their goal only after suffering significant loss or moral compromise, creating a heavy, thoughtful emotional impact.

bittersweetheavyfatalisticresilientthought-provokingsomberpoignant

Narrative Summary

The narrative arc follows a protagonist through a harrowing journey of loss and struggle. They ultimately achieve a tangible goal or victory, but the path to get there is littered with trauma, ethical compromises, or the death of allies. The ending acknowledges the success but lingers on its high cost, creating a poignant and reflective conclusion.

Why These Movies?

These films are united by their exploration of victory's ambiguous price. They share a heavy emotional weight, often involving themes of redemption through suffering, and deliver conclusions that are realistically complex—neither purely happy nor sad—focusing on the lasting impact of the journey on the character.

Unlock the Full Story of Redbelt

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

Redbelt Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Redbelt, 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.

Redbelt Timeline

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

Redbelt Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Redbelt 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.

More About Redbelt

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

Similar Movies to Redbelt

Discover movies like Redbelt 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.