Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Simple
- Violence
- Graphic
- irreverent
- pulpy
- rough-edged
- popcorn movie night
- cult action marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly found the film's vigilante premise and Danny Trejo's persona entertaining in concept but poorly handled and uncertain in tone.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Frank Vega attacks skinheads, abusers, and those connected to his murdered friend after the police fail to act.
The fanny-pack-wearing Danny Trejo persona, exaggerated confrontations, and viral-video premise give the action a knowingly outsized quality.
Frank returns from Vietnam to social rejection, unemployment, and the loss of his high school sweetheart before becoming a local hero decades later.
Frank's defense of an elderly Black man on a commuter bus turns an overlooked veteran into a celebrated local figure.
Films like Bad Ass, and why
Machete
shared vigilante action, exploitation sensibility, and charismatic hard-edged lead
Death Wish 3
shared revenge-driven crime plot, pulpy violence, and aging outsider protagonist
The Brave One
shared low-budget vigilante premise, urban corruption, and bruising action-comedy tone
Movie Details
- Director
- Craig Moss
- Release Date
- 2012-04-12
- Runtime
- 91 min
- Rating
- 5.8 / 10 (445)
Cast
- Danny Trejo
- Charles S. Dutton
- Ron Perlman
- Patrick Fabian
- Joyful Drake
- John Duffy
- Harrison Page
- Richard Riehle
- Winter Ave Zoli
- Tonita Castro
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Amazon Prime Video, Philo, Amazon Prime Video with Ads
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Bad Ass about?
- A discarded Vietnam veteran becomes a neighborhood folk hero and takes violent personal action when his friend's murder exposes a corrupt Los Angeles underworld.
- What is Bad Ass like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Bad Ass as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as simple.
- Is Bad Ass violent?
- Yes. Ember rates the violence in Bad Ass as graphic.
- What did critics think of Bad Ass?
- Critics broadly found the film's vigilante premise and Danny Trejo's persona entertaining in concept but poorly handled and uncertain in tone.
- Which films are like Bad Ass?
- Films with a similar feel include Machete, Death Wish 3, and The Brave One.
- How long is Bad Ass?
- Bad Ass runs 91 minutes.
- Where can I watch Bad Ass?
- In United States, Bad Ass streams on Amazon Prime Video, Philo, Amazon Prime Video with Ads.
