Plot Explained Spoilers guaranteed!
Plot Explained

Browse by genre

Action Comedy Drama Horror Thriller Sci-Fi Romance Mystery Animation Crime
Take the 10 (2017) movie poster

Characters & Themes

Take the 10 (2017) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

Release, runtime and language
2017 · 80 min · English
JustWatch #24,908 3
Directed by
Chester Tam

A charismatic drug dealer and his small-town store manager friend find their unlikely bond challenged when they attend a vibrant hip-hop concert. As music and excitement fill the air, they encounter unexpected adventures and a chaotic atmosphere that tests the limits of their friendship and forces them to confront difficult choices.

Comedy Cast, crew & box office
On this page (8)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Characters explained (4)
  3. 3 Where & when it takes place
  4. 4 Themes & meaning (3)
  5. 5 Character & meaning questions
  6. 6 Movie threads
  7. 7 Movies like Take the 10
  8. 8 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch Take the 10 (2017)

Where can you watch Take the 10? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on Netflix and Netflix Standard: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

Streaming availability powered by JustWatch

4 main characters · contains spoilers

Take the 10 Characters Explained: Who Is Who

The main characters of Take the 10 (2017), heroes and villains: what drives them, how they change over the course of the story and what each of them reveals about the film's bigger ideas.

  • Chris

    Chris is a carefree and impulsive character who embraces the present, often ignoring the consequences of his actions. His lack of foresight leads him into increasingly chaotic scenarios, particularly in his dealings with drugs and ticket schemes.

    • 😅 Carefree
    • 🎲 Impulsive
    • 💔 Unfaithful

  • Chester

    Chester is the dreamer of the duo, longing for a better life in Brazil. He grapples with the harsh realities of his current situation, making decisions that entangle him in a violent gang conflict, highlighting his struggle between fantasy and reality.

    • 🌍 Dreamer
    • 💥 Conflict
    • 😟 Frustrated

  • Danny

    Danny, the supermarket manager, represents the pressure of financial responsibilities and the lengths one may go to avoid violence. His gambling debts push him into a corner, forcing him to make desperate decisions that affect those around him.

    • 💰 Debt
    • 😠 Desperate
    • 👔 Manager

  • Jay

    Jay is the antagonist who represents the darker side of ambition and greed. His reaction to the chaos creates a palpable tension, serving as a reminder of the potential consequences of reckless behavior and betrayal.

    • 💣 Antagonist
    • 🔫 Aggressive
    • 😡 Enforcer

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 23:15

Was this helpful?

Setting

Where and When Does Take the 10 Take Place?

The setting of Take the 10 (2017): the year and time period, the places and locations, and how they shape the characters, the mood and the tension of the story.

Time period

The movie's events occur in contemporary times as characters grapple with modern societal pressures, such as job dissatisfaction and the pursuit of quick wealth. This time period reflects the challenges faced by young adults navigating financial struggles and the desire for escape.

Location

Los Angeles, health food-themed supermarket

The film unfolds in a health food-themed supermarket set in Los Angeles, a city known for its vibrant culture and bustling lifestyle. This specific setting blends the mundanity of daily grocery shopping with a backdrop of chaotic events, highlighting the contrast between routine life and unexpected turmoil.

  • 🛒 Supermarket
  • 🌴 Los Angeles

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 23:15

Was this helpful?

3 major themes

Take the 10 Meaning: Themes & Message Explained

What is Take the 10 (2017) really about? The emotional, social and philosophical themes the film keeps returning to, its symbolism and the message beneath the surface.

  • Job Struggles

    A central theme of the movie revolves around the frustrations of dead-end jobs and unfulfilled aspirations. Chris and Chester's experiences reflect the challenges many face in trying to find purpose and success in a society that often prioritizes monetary gain over personal happiness.

  • Chaos and Violence

    The film intricately weaves a narrative of unexpected violence that erupts amidst seemingly trivial events. This theme is illustrated through the gang conflict and escalating tensions, emphasizing how quickly everyday life can devolve into pandemonium.

  • Friendship

    Friendship is put to the test as Chris and Chester navigate their contrasting desires and the impact of their actions on each other. Their bond is both strengthened and strained by the chaotic experiences of the day, showcasing the complexities of relationships in times of adversity.

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 23:15

Was this helpful?

Character & theme questions

Take the 10 Characters & Meaning: Your Questions Answered

The questions people ask about Take the 10 (2017): who the characters really are, their relationships, what the symbols mean, where it takes place and what the movie is really about. Each answer contains spoilers.

Q1

Where does the movie take place?

Take the 10 unfolds primarily in a health food-themed supermarket located in Los Angeles. The setting contrasts the mundane routine of grocery shopping with chaotic events that disrupt everyday life, highlighting the unpredictable nature of the characters' day.

  • los angeles
  • supermarket
  • setting
  • location
Q2

When is the movie set?

The film is set in contemporary times, reflecting modern societal pressures faced by young adults. Characters grapple with job dissatisfaction, financial struggles, and the desire for escape from their current circumstances.

  • contemporary
  • modern
  • time period
  • era
Q3

What are the main themes?

The movie explores three core themes: job struggles and unfulfilled aspirations, chaos and violence emerging from trivial situations, and friendship tested by adversity. These themes interweave to depict how everyday life can quickly spiral into pandemonium while exploring the complexities of relationships.

  • themes
  • job struggles
  • friendship
  • chaos
  • violence
Q4

What genre is the movie?

Take the 10 is a comedy film. Despite featuring intense chaotic events including a drive-by shooting, gang conflicts, and confrontations, the film maintains a light, comedic tone where consequences are minimal and characters bounce back quickly.

  • comedy
  • genre
  • tone
  • lighthearted
Q5

Who is Chris?

Chris is a carefree and impulsive character who embraces living in the moment, often ignoring the consequences of his actions. His involvement in drug dealing and ticket schemes leads him into increasingly chaotic scenarios throughout the movie.

  • chris
  • character
  • drug dealer
  • impulsive
Q6

Who is Chester?

Chester is the dreamer of the duo who longs for a better life in Brazil. He struggles with the harsh realities of his current situation and makes decisions that entanglement him in violent gang conflict, highlighting his internal battle between fantasy and reality.

  • chester
  • character
  • dreamer
  • brazil
Q7

Who is Danny?

Danny is the supermarket manager who represents the pressure of financial responsibilities. His gambling debts push him into desperate circumstances, forcing him to make choices that affect those around him as he tries to avoid violence.

  • danny
  • manager
  • supermarket
  • gambling
Q8

Who is Jay?

Jay serves as the film's antagonist, representing the darker side of ambition and greed. His reaction to the chaotic events creates tension and serves as a reminder of the potential consequences of reckless behavior and betrayal.

  • jay
  • antagonist
  • villain
  • greed
Q9

What is the significance of the supermarket setting?

The health food-themed supermarket serves as a backdrop that blends ordinary daily life with unexpected turmoil. This contrast between routine grocery shopping and the chaotic events that unfold emphasizes how quickly normalcy can be disrupted and underscores the film's themes of unpredictability.

  • supermarket
  • setting
  • chaos
  • mundanity
Q10

Does the movie have a happy ending?

Yes, Take the 10 has a happy ending. The main characters profit from their misadventures, and one character achieves their dream of escaping to Brazil. Most antagonists face justice, and despite the chaotic events, the resolution is ultimately positive.

  • ending
  • happy ending
  • resolution
  • brazil

Movie threads

More Movies Like Take the 10, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes Take the 10 tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Chaotic Buddy Adventures like in Take the 10

Mismatched friends navigate a whirlwind of trouble and high-stakes antics in a single night. If you enjoyed the high-energy friendship chaos of Take the 10, you'll like these movies. This list features similar fast-paced comedies where duos face a night of unpredictable events, testing their loyalty with a lighthearted, streetwise feel.

  • chaotic
  • buddy comedy
  • fast-paced
  • mischievous
  • unpredictable
  • tense
  • Tone: light, comical
  • Pacing: fast, frantic
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative pattern involves two friends, often with contrasting personalities, whose plans spiral out of control. A single day or night becomes a pressure cooker of escalating problems, forcing them to rely on quick wits and their bond to survive the chaos, usually with a positive resolution.

Why they belong together: These movies are grouped by their shared core of a chaotic, high-energy buddy dynamic. They blend comedy with tense, fast-paced situations, creating a specific vibe of 'controlled chaos' where the stakes feel high but the tone remains amusing.

Buddy Games movie poster

Buddy Games

2020
Crime Busters movie poster

Crime Busters

1977
Buddy Games: Spring Awakening movie poster

Buddy Games: Spring Awakening

2023
Armed and Dangerous movie poster

Armed and Dangerous

1986
Cop Out movie poster

Cop Out

2010
Amateur Night movie poster

Amateur Night

2016
Vacation Friends 2 movie poster

Vacation Friends 2

2023
All the Best: Fun Begins movie poster

All the Best: Fun Begins

2009

Movies about Dead-End Jobs and Escapism like Take the 10

Characters stuck in mundane lives turn to risky, chaotic schemes for a taste of freedom. Fans of Take the 10's theme of escaping a boring job through chaotic adventures will enjoy these films. Discover similar stories where characters break free from their mundane routines with risky, often comical, high-stakes plans.

  • escapism
  • dead-end jobs
  • petty crime
  • wish-fulfillment
  • chaotic
  • comical
  • Tone: light, mischievous
  • Pacing: fast, steady
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative follows characters who see a risky, often illegal, opportunity as their ticket out of a dissatisfying life. The plot revolves around their attempt to execute a plan that is far beyond their experience, leading to comedic errors, unexpected alliances, and a climax that redefines what 'freedom' means to them.

Why they belong together: These movies share a thematic focus on escapism from unfulfilling everyday life. They combine the relatable feeling of a dead-end job with the thrilling, albeit foolish, pursuit of a big score or a life-changing night, creating a specific blend of relatability and wish-fulfillment chaos.

The Big Job movie poster

The Big Job

1965
Dead Heat on a Merry-Go-Round movie poster

Dead Heat on a Merry-Go-Round

1966
Men at Work movie poster

Men at Work

1990
Dirty Work movie poster

Dirty Work

1998
Fun with Dick and Jane movie poster

Fun with Dick and Jane

2005
Weekend at Bernie's movie poster

Weekend at Bernie's

1989
Hollywood Homicide movie poster

Hollywood Homicide

2003
Another Stakeout movie poster

Another Stakeout

1993

If you liked this

Movies Like Take the 10

Similar movies to Take the 10: the same genre, themes or kind of story. Each one comes with its own plot summary, timeline and ending explained.

Browse all movie summaries
The After Party movie poster

The After Party

2018
The Take movie poster

The Take

2008
10 Years movie poster

10 Years

2012
10th & Wolf movie poster

10th & Wolf

2006
The Ten movie poster

The Ten

2007
10 Items or Less movie poster

10 Items or Less

2006
Take Me Home Tonight movie poster

Take Me Home Tonight

2011
10 Minutes Gone movie poster

10 Minutes Gone

2019
10 Cent Pistol movie poster

10 Cent Pistol

2015
The Janky Promoters movie poster

The Janky Promoters

2009
Taking 5 movie poster

Taking 5

2007
No. 10 movie poster

No. 10

2021

Every angle

Take the 10 (2017) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about Take the 10 in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Movie Summary App

Plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Catch up on any movie in minutes, save your favorites and never miss a twist again.

Be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private, always.

Learn more about the app