Not bad for a movie that only cost $100,000 and was filmed in three weeks. Bull does not feature epic shootouts or fight scenes, but it does have a magnetic-intimidating lead performance from Neil Maskell and moments of sheer brutality. In my opinion, this is enough to recommend Bull to anyone interested in darker revenge movies. The film is over in less than ninety minutes and depending on your taste you will either love or loathe the ending.
117 Reviews
7.3/10. Recommended
athanasiosze1 May 2022
This is one of the best last year's movies. A dark, gritty, violent British film that doesn't hold back. I suggest you don't read anything about this, there is a chance some reviewer gives you a spoil.
If you are in the mood for a really dark crime drama/thriller, you will enjoy this. Great actors, not a second wasted, this movie grabs you by the throat.
I stood in awe watching the end. I can understand the reasons why some people may dislike it. In any case, you are gonna enjoy the ride. For me, the ending made it even more exciting.
If you are in the mood for a really dark crime drama/thriller, you will enjoy this. Great actors, not a second wasted, this movie grabs you by the throat.
I stood in awe watching the end. I can understand the reasons why some people may dislike it. In any case, you are gonna enjoy the ride. For me, the ending made it even more exciting.
deconstructing the revenge thriller -- a fun ride
A_Different_Drummer5 April 2022
Revenge thrillers have been a movie staple as long as there have been movies. This one is the same but different. The film-maker makes no attempt to catch the sympathy of the viewer upfront--a very gutsy thing to try--and instead relies on the constant forward motion of the action to win the hearts and minds of the audience. It works, mostly. The end result is more resembles a roller coaster ride than the typical "3 Act" script. And yes it is entertaining. ((Designated "IMDb Top Reviewer." Please check out my list "167+ Nearly-Perfect Movies (with the occasional Anime or TV miniseries) you can/should see again and again (1932 to the present))
Decent film, marred by bizarre ending.
stereosteve-117 October 2021
Saw this at the London Film Festival premiere last night. It's a well-made and engaging low-budget crime film, with excellent acting and music. Neil Maskell and David Hayman give dependably good performances. It's very much along the lines of Dead Man's Shoes and Kill List, although lacking the flair, originality and imagination of those classics. Hard geezer seeks revenge, with over-the-top violence and nasty, humourless working-class gangsters. A grim and dour tone. Some nicely choreographed stabbings and gunshots. It's nothing new, but it does it satisfactorily and holds your attention.
It's a great shame then that the film is almost fatally marred by a bizarre and poorly thought-through conclusion that had to make me wonder why not a single person on the team of this production said 'um, hang on a minute, are we really going with this ending..?'.
It's just wrong for the tone of the film.
I can see what they were aiming for, as it's been done before in one of the best crime films ever made, but here they mess it up by not setting it up correctly, and in the process almost wreck a perfectly workable film.
All in all, despite this flaw, this is worth a watch, as it is undeniably entertaining.
It's a great shame then that the film is almost fatally marred by a bizarre and poorly thought-through conclusion that had to make me wonder why not a single person on the team of this production said 'um, hang on a minute, are we really going with this ending..?'.
It's just wrong for the tone of the film.
I can see what they were aiming for, as it's been done before in one of the best crime films ever made, but here they mess it up by not setting it up correctly, and in the process almost wreck a perfectly workable film.
All in all, despite this flaw, this is worth a watch, as it is undeniably entertaining.
If you like Dead Man's Shoes, you'll like this
hazzaboombatty29 June 2022
Warning: Spoilers
But it's not quite as good as DMS. Having said that not many films are. So yes this is a solid 7 for me, verging on an 8.
I really like Neil Maskell, so that's a bonus fo this film. I liked the black eyes, ted bunny apparently had completely black eyes when he was on his killing sprees, per the statements of those few who survived. I wonder if this is a reference to that....
Overall I was compelled by this; there are some brilliant directorial flourishes, I liked the Waltzer scene a lot, for example.
It's very violent and sometimes I actually found that a little shocking but it never bothered me
There are some unanswerable questions, but so what. Doesn't take away from the overall film which I definitely recommend to those who enjoy Tarantino, kill list or dead man's shoes.
I really like Neil Maskell, so that's a bonus fo this film. I liked the black eyes, ted bunny apparently had completely black eyes when he was on his killing sprees, per the statements of those few who survived. I wonder if this is a reference to that....
Overall I was compelled by this; there are some brilliant directorial flourishes, I liked the Waltzer scene a lot, for example.
It's very violent and sometimes I actually found that a little shocking but it never bothered me
There are some unanswerable questions, but so what. Doesn't take away from the overall film which I definitely recommend to those who enjoy Tarantino, kill list or dead man's shoes.
well done revenge flick
Snakeskinzjr10 April 2022
Anyone into simple , easy to follow revenge thrillers will enjoy this one. Its a low budget , pretty violent film with a nice twist at the very end. I thought the guy who played Bull did a great job as the main character. The only actor i recognized was David Hayman who plays Norm. There was no sympathy for those getting whacked. Its British so if you can see with subs its best. Overall a fun revenge thriller . Recommend.
One of the best Bri-ish films I've seen.
Top_Dawg_Critic7 April 2022
Writer and director Paul Andrew Williams created a masterpiece for this overused genre. In the very comfortable well paced 88 min runtime, he gives us non-stop intensity, violence, suspense and gore, all within a minimal budget, used very wisely. I'm not a fan of flashbacks, but in this film they were needed, and executed perfectly, otherwise the differentiating-from-the-norm twist doesn't work. The cinematography and score was perfect. Casting and performances were outstanding by all. I did have trouble understanding some of the dialogue from the hardened Bri-ish accents, especially when speaking in lower volumes, but nevertheless, everything that happens along this fun ride, makes that small detail irrelevant. It's one of those films that you can easily watch at least one more time. Mad props to Williams for giving us this little gem, hopefully we'll get lucky and he gives us more. A well deserved 9/10 from me.
As advertised, mostly
supermellowcali6 April 2022
This was a masterfully produced film, maybe largely because the actors are all excellent. I'm not sure how it should've ended, but I think this particular one was a strange choice and, while it was fun because it was unexpected, it didn't fit the rest of the story- at least, not without some sort of evolution. The movie starts with a mad dad and we understand his motivation: he's a gangster out for revenge, and he wants to find his estranged son. Why switch genres at the bitter end? Was that just the cheap trick it felt like?
The ending ruined it
mmrbbcytw9 August 2023
Warning: Spoilers
*spoilers included*
Clearly inspired by Dead Man Shoes and I don't have an issue with the similarities at all. I really enjoyed this film, until the end.
I didn't need to see depths or stories about the characters, it was easy to understand from the past/present switches. I didn't think the violence was overboard at all. It felt important to show the carnage, chaos and gore that Bull brought upon them, as they had to him.
The family leaving with the caravan still burning and him escaping out a back window would've been much more believable. Burns all over him, with this scene to explain why, 3/4 of the way through. Better.
And the ending... lazy and completely unnecessary. Would've been a much better fitting if he found the kid dead under the bridge, so it was all for nothing. A gut punch ending rather than a daft demon reveal would've held up so much more.
Clearly inspired by Dead Man Shoes and I don't have an issue with the similarities at all. I really enjoyed this film, until the end.
I didn't need to see depths or stories about the characters, it was easy to understand from the past/present switches. I didn't think the violence was overboard at all. It felt important to show the carnage, chaos and gore that Bull brought upon them, as they had to him.
The family leaving with the caravan still burning and him escaping out a back window would've been much more believable. Burns all over him, with this scene to explain why, 3/4 of the way through. Better.
And the ending... lazy and completely unnecessary. Would've been a much better fitting if he found the kid dead under the bridge, so it was all for nothing. A gut punch ending rather than a daft demon reveal would've held up so much more.
Intense thriller
roussou11 July 2022
A nasty streak through this one.
Nemesis429 March 2023
A well made revenge thriller, with particularly gruesome and graphic retribution acts. I'm not really into it with this level of nastiness. If you want a good feeling in you after a viewing, don't see this.
Though by the end, the aforementioned excessive nastiness can be explained by a story revelation, there's still not much gain from this given the negative prestige we feel for the main character.
The film-craft is in top form here with a high level of art attributed to the script, direction, acting and sound. Unfortunately the main character is an awful person, even before he went evil. It's not easy to sympathise with the guy, for his gruesome acts and short flashback segments which don't display his humane side for long enough. Not possible to get close enough to him.
Though by the end, the aforementioned excessive nastiness can be explained by a story revelation, there's still not much gain from this given the negative prestige we feel for the main character.
The film-craft is in top form here with a high level of art attributed to the script, direction, acting and sound. Unfortunately the main character is an awful person, even before he went evil. It's not easy to sympathise with the guy, for his gruesome acts and short flashback segments which don't display his humane side for long enough. Not possible to get close enough to him.
But why though?
Draysan-Jennings6 April 2022
Warning: Spoilers
What did he do that was so bad? I get they were having marital issues. But lighting the guy on fire then shooting him? All he did was spray her with the water hose at a BBQ lol. I mean ya they get into a few arguments throughout the film, but burning him alive? It just seemed a little excessive. I also wasn't feeling the twist in the end. All they did was give him some black eye contacts. Look he has black eyes! He's back from the dead and seeking revenge on the ones who wronged him, everything's explained. Lame!!.. It would of been better if they just went with Bull breaking out of the back mobile home window. 5 stars..
Interesting B- revenge movie
danielcereto17 April 2022
This movie is pretty interesting if you love low budget great action revenge thrillers. It's pretty well done and includes great action-horror deaths. So, if you're in the mood of it, go for it. Other than that don't expect an Oscar-winning here or amazing Fx's. Just a little interesting B- revenge movie.
Disjointed
radhrh29 August 2022
There's much to like about Bull. Neil Maskell, who you might recognize from Kill List puts in a great performance. David Hayman gives good support. For a budget production it looks OK too although much more akin to a TV movie than a cinematic release. It's a violent crime movie and most of the violence is with knives which is much more gruesome than simply shooting someone. My problem is the disjointed narrative. The eponymous Bull is a small time gangster working for a small time boss of a small time gang in Kent. He's double crossed by the gang only to appear from nowhere a decade later to get his revenge. But instead of a linear narrative the writer/director, Paul Andrew Williams mixes past and present in a ad hock fashion and despite the events occurring 10 years apart all the characters look exactly the same, the wardrobe is identical and the time of year, summer is also the same. There are no visual clues as to what is a flash back and what is present, like the flashback sequences being in black and white or being a bit hazy or even just being lit differently. It makes the narrative difficult to follow despite it not being a particularly complicated plot in the first place. The final payoff comes completely out of the blue and although it's quite a fun twist doesn't fit in with the tone of the movie at all.
Good film let down by the Ending
amybinstead5 August 2023
Warning: Spoilers
Most of this film is as a revenge movie should be.
Gruesome, suspenseful and made me root for the bad guy. BUT what an absolutely ridiculous ending. I laughed out loud in amusement and disbelief that such a good film has just been ruined. A true story of how he survived being killed to come and seek revenge would have been much more realistic and entertaining than him being a devil of some sort hahaha. It's like low budget films have some great actors, good storylines but just do not know how to end a film.... Made me almost wish I hadn't watched the thing. There were so many possibilities here.... So many!!
Gruesome, suspenseful and made me root for the bad guy. BUT what an absolutely ridiculous ending. I laughed out loud in amusement and disbelief that such a good film has just been ruined. A true story of how he survived being killed to come and seek revenge would have been much more realistic and entertaining than him being a devil of some sort hahaha. It's like low budget films have some great actors, good storylines but just do not know how to end a film.... Made me almost wish I hadn't watched the thing. There were so many possibilities here.... So many!!
Every now and then you need a good revenge film
Doctor_Enigmatic24 January 2023
Warning: Spoilers
This one ticks all the boxes. Story told in the new normal for thriller /drama/horror/comedy... The story jumps around but it isn't a pain to endure. I know my parents didn't tend to like movies when they did that. Some people just want a good easy to follow film. I think it's easy to follow, and you definitely get to feel very strong emotions about people.
So your typical "GIVE ME BACK MY SON!!!" type of movie. I think it is easy to get into the head space for these types of films having lost my family. At some point or another people question just how far they would go to do something. I like seeing the boundaries of imagination stretched. Simple revenge used to be just killing someone they loved. Now we go into a whole artistically abstract story of revenge. It's fun to color outside the lines. The kills are what you look for in this movie. Is it equal to the pain they measured out first. I don't think many of the deaths are that over the top. No human centipede style action. Simple guns, knives and fair rides.
Feeling the seething hate for certain characters, (most,) it felt pretty satisfactory when the karma was dealt. Some don't like the ending, but I thought it was pretty unique. Spawn was an early favorite hero of mine when it came out.
So your typical "GIVE ME BACK MY SON!!!" type of movie. I think it is easy to get into the head space for these types of films having lost my family. At some point or another people question just how far they would go to do something. I like seeing the boundaries of imagination stretched. Simple revenge used to be just killing someone they loved. Now we go into a whole artistically abstract story of revenge. It's fun to color outside the lines. The kills are what you look for in this movie. Is it equal to the pain they measured out first. I don't think many of the deaths are that over the top. No human centipede style action. Simple guns, knives and fair rides.
Feeling the seething hate for certain characters, (most,) it felt pretty satisfactory when the karma was dealt. Some don't like the ending, but I thought it was pretty unique. Spawn was an early favorite hero of mine when it came out.
What a revenge movie should aspire to be
drunk_please_disregard6 October 2022
A simple premise that is presented in a straight forward simple way that works perfectly albeit in a nonchronological fashion. There are too many revenge movies generally and there are definitely too many revenge movies that suck. And the top reasons that they suck is usually that they are just super wimpy (see Taken, Taken 2, Taken 3, Taken 4 etc) or that they are poorly made (acted, directed, shot etc). At least in my experience anyways. This movie is none of these things. It is super well made (acted, directed, shot, written, etc) especially for this genre. And it may be a number of things but I would not say that it is wimpy in any way. Unflinching, violent, gory definitely but also sincerely and legitimately presented. Fair warning that it may take a bit to adjust to the gutter English spoken by the characters if you're American like me but well worth it if you're inclined to enjoy bloody bloodbath revenge movies like this one.
Thriller With A Twist
stevendbeard5 April 2022
Warning: Spoilers
I saw Bull, starring Neil Maskell-Peaky Blinders_tv, The Mummy_2017; Lois Brabin_Platt-Eastenders_tv, Original Gangsters; David Hayman-Jack Ryan:Shadow Recruit, Sid and Nancy and Henri Charles-Eastenders_tv, Me Before You.
This is an English thriller-filmed in England-with a nice twist. Neil plays Bull, the son in law of a small time gangster, David. Neil married Lois, David's daughter and had a son, Henri. During flashbacks, you learn bits and pieces of what is going on-the flashbacks are spread out until the end-and how Neil is double crossed and left for dead by David. 10 years later, Neil shows up seeking revenge by killing David's henchmen-in reverse order, of course-leading straight to David himself. Sometimes, you may wonder about some of the things that happen in the flashbacks but all is explained by the end. The violence is pretty graphic-Neil's weapon of choice is a machete-with various body parts being dismembered.
It's rated R for graphic violence, language and drug use and has a running time of 1 hour & 28 minutes.
I enjoyed it and would buy it on DVD.
This is an English thriller-filmed in England-with a nice twist. Neil plays Bull, the son in law of a small time gangster, David. Neil married Lois, David's daughter and had a son, Henri. During flashbacks, you learn bits and pieces of what is going on-the flashbacks are spread out until the end-and how Neil is double crossed and left for dead by David. 10 years later, Neil shows up seeking revenge by killing David's henchmen-in reverse order, of course-leading straight to David himself. Sometimes, you may wonder about some of the things that happen in the flashbacks but all is explained by the end. The violence is pretty graphic-Neil's weapon of choice is a machete-with various body parts being dismembered.
It's rated R for graphic violence, language and drug use and has a running time of 1 hour & 28 minutes.
I enjoyed it and would buy it on DVD.
Stupid endings suck
russelldebra14 January 2023
Warning: Spoilers
An incredibly stupid ending to a pretty decent movie. Great acting from a cast of excellent British character actors. I was on the edge of my seat for all of the movie apart from the last 5 minutes. Why they thought the protagonist coming back to seek revenge as a demon was plausible is beyond me. It was not only unbelievable, but downright ridiculous. A gritty, violent, believable story, turned into a farce in the last 5 minutes. My partner and I couldn't believe what we were seeing. WTF may have been uttered. Here's a tip, if you can't resolve how a character reappears after everyone believes he's dead, don't bother making the movie. I can't believe anyone would give this more than 3 stars.
Exellent
Mclovin29051419 August 2022
Warning: Spoilers
I really enjoyed this, a great cast of unknown actors, who smashed it in my opinion, really well put together, it might be because I'm British and come from a rough background, but if you ever spent some time on a council estate you'll get the characters, i know some have mentioned the ending, but it's fully explained by the end, *SPOILER* demons have black eyes, at the beginning his driver says, where have you been? And he said to hell, meaning literally, if you watch the end you'll see why some of bulls old friends were terrified, i only got a bit confused when bull was killed, hats off to the actor playing bull by the way, I'm a big guy and i found you scary, the only thing that confused me was the priest at the end, and what his mum said. Did she know bull or was she aware he'd crawled out of hell for revenge? Anyways, i highly recommended this one, very good, realistic and gritty British movie. Hats off to the Director.
In two minds.
TomFarrell6324 August 2022
I am getting tired of the usual British, yobby, criminal underworld, council house rubbish types that seem to be the mainstay of British cinema these days.
Plus whatever way you look at it, films like this try to glorfiy/glamourise that lifestyle, and make excuses for the vile behaviour on show, all down to circumstances don't you know.
Having said that, this is well made with a good twist, but it isn't a film I'd go back to.
Whilst there are flashes of violence throughout, it isn't as bad as I thought it might have been.
Plus whatever way you look at it, films like this try to glorfiy/glamourise that lifestyle, and make excuses for the vile behaviour on show, all down to circumstances don't you know.
Having said that, this is well made with a good twist, but it isn't a film I'd go back to.
Whilst there are flashes of violence throughout, it isn't as bad as I thought it might have been.
Too all over the place
Miss_Xray4 June 2022
I cant quite follow this. Feels like I jumped into the 5th episode of a tv-series and missed a lot about the characters. No build up or anything. Too scattered to even get into it. The acting isnt bad but it doesnt feel like a film.
Good no nonsense revenge movie
alphadude00725 June 2022
Well directed and well acted with a good story. Engaging and entertaining without any added frills. The character development though not very apparent and brief, was mysterious enough to draw me towards each character. Overall, a good watch!
Grab the bull by the horns.
morrison-dylan-fan24 November 2021
Warning: Spoilers
When leaving a screening of the stylish Horror film A Banquet (2021-also reviewed) at the HOME cinema in Manchester,I noticed a sign stating that in a few days the venue was presenting a Q&A with film maker Paul Andrew Williams and actor Neil Maskell. Not having attended an in-person Q&A since seeing Cleanin' Up the Town: Remembering Ghostbusters (2019-also reviewed) at The Electric cinema in Birmingham in January 2020,I decided to book a ticket in order to witness this raging bull.
View on the film:
Detailing in the fun Q & A after the screening that the movie was filmed over three weeks in September 2020 on a £100 thousand budget at 39 different locations, writer/director Paul Andrew Williams impressively battles through the Covid/ Lockdown restrictions to craft an expansive stylish revenge tale, with Williams cleverly using wide tracking shots filmed inside cars (due to social distancing limitations) to draw a vicious,blunt atmosphere of Bull's sprawling drive for revenge.
Whilst not an overt Horror flick, Williams slices from the genre to give the set-pieces a visceral sting, via tasty gory practical special effects of Bull (played with a burning intensity by Neil Maskell) and an eerie, set in a fairground final. Returning to his old stomping ground after a decade away, the screenplay by Williams cross- stitches the full-on revenge attacks by Bull with fragmented flashback which gradually reveal the burning betrayals that created a raging Bull.
View on the film:
Detailing in the fun Q & A after the screening that the movie was filmed over three weeks in September 2020 on a £100 thousand budget at 39 different locations, writer/director Paul Andrew Williams impressively battles through the Covid/ Lockdown restrictions to craft an expansive stylish revenge tale, with Williams cleverly using wide tracking shots filmed inside cars (due to social distancing limitations) to draw a vicious,blunt atmosphere of Bull's sprawling drive for revenge.
Whilst not an overt Horror flick, Williams slices from the genre to give the set-pieces a visceral sting, via tasty gory practical special effects of Bull (played with a burning intensity by Neil Maskell) and an eerie, set in a fairground final. Returning to his old stomping ground after a decade away, the screenplay by Williams cross- stitches the full-on revenge attacks by Bull with fragmented flashback which gradually reveal the burning betrayals that created a raging Bull.
Molech
DrProfessor17 August 2022
Warning: Spoilers
This film is pretty great. It's a basic revenge story that seems to get its inspiration from an ancient Canaanite religious practice, worshipping molech a god with a bull head (who was later demonized) structuring the plot based on this to create an interesting storyline.
It was a pleasure seeing Neal Maskell (Utopia) play the title role. This is a film with a lot more going on than the viewer witnesses at first glance. It's disappointing seeing many viewers didnt enjoy the film, but you can't blame them considering the source material is utterly obscure.
It was a pleasure seeing Neal Maskell (Utopia) play the title role. This is a film with a lot more going on than the viewer witnesses at first glance. It's disappointing seeing many viewers didnt enjoy the film, but you can't blame them considering the source material is utterly obscure.
See also
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