Mississippi Grind
Directed by Ryan Fleck, Anna BodenDown on his luck and facing financial hardship, Gerry teams up with younger charismatic poker player, Curtis, in an attempt to change his luck. The two set off on a road trip through the South with visions of winning back what's been lost.
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Mississippi Grind Ratings & Reviews
- Manuel FrangisJanuary 20, 2026I just watched Mississippi Grind and I give it 3 out of 5 stars. This movie has a quiet and gritty atmosphere that tries to pull you into the world of gambling, addiction, and broken dreams. It has strong performances and interesting characters, but it moves at a slow pace that sometimes makes the story feel heavy instead of engaging. Even though I did not love everything about it, there were moments that stood out and made the film worth watching. It is the kind of movie that focuses more on character study than excitement, which can work well depending on what you hope to get out of it. Ben Mendelsohn gives a strong performance as Gerry, a man who feels lost, tired, and desperate for a win to turn his life around. His character carries a lot of emotional weight. You can see how the years of gambling have worn him down. His expressions, his voice, and his body language all contribute to the feeling of someone who is trying to escape his own mistakes. He brings depth to the character, making you feel sorry for him even when he makes frustrating choices. Ryan Reynolds plays Curtis, a charming and unpredictable character who brings energy into Gerry’s life. His personality is bright, confident, and carefree, acting as a complete contrast to Gerry. Their friendship becomes the core of the movie. Curtis gives Gerry hope, and Gerry gives Curtis someone to connect with beyond the surface. Their chemistry feels natural and believable, and some of the strongest scenes in the movie are built on their quiet conversations and shared moments. The road trip element adds a sense of movement to the story, taking the characters from one gambling spot to another. Each location has its own tone and tension. Sometimes the movie captures the thrill of gambling perfectly, showing how quickly hope can rise and fall. Other times, the slow pacing makes the scenes feel repetitive, which is where the movie loses momentum. Still, the journey shows how gambling can create small highs that disappear as quickly as they come. The emotional themes of Mississippi Grind focus on regret, hope, addiction, and the desire for one good break. It portrays gambling not as something glamorous but as something heavy, unpredictable, and draining. The movie captures the feeling of chasing something that keeps slipping away. It shows how addictive hope can become when someone feels like they have nothing left to lose. Those themes hit hard at times, and the movie explores them honestly. The tone is quiet, grounded, and sometimes somber. The camera work and music add to the reflective mood. The film feels intimate, almost like you are sitting beside the characters while they try to understand their own mistakes and wishes. This makes the emotional scenes meaningful, but it also slows the pacing in ways that may not connect with everyone. The ending leaves a lot open for interpretation. It is not dramatic or loud. Instead, it stays consistent with the rest of the movie, focusing on personal choices and small steps rather than big declarations. By the time the movie ended, I felt like I had watched something thoughtful but not something I would rush to rewatch. Mississippi Grind has strong performances and interesting themes, but it lacks the spark that would make it unforgettable. It earned its 3 out of 5 rating from me.
- thomasrogers753November 2, 2025So what I got from this is to gamble your way out of a hole, I like that
Mississippi Grind Trivia
Mississippi Grind was released on August 13, 2015.
Mississippi Grind was directed by Ryan Fleck, Anna Boden.
Mississippi Grind has a runtime of 1h 49m.
Mississippi Grind was produced by Tom Rice, Lynette Howell Taylor, Ben Nearn, Jamie Patricof.
Down on his luck and facing financial hardship, Gerry teams up with younger charismatic poker player, Curtis, in an attempt to change his luck. The two set off on a road trip through the South with visions of winning back what's been lost.
The key characters in Mississippi Grind are Gerry (Ben Mendelsohn), Curtis (Ryan Reynolds), Simone (Sienna Miller).
Mississippi Grind is rated R.
Mississippi Grind is a Drama, Comedy, Thriller film.
Mississippi Grind has an audience rating of 5.6 out of 10.
Mississippi Grind had a budget of $7.1M.
Mississippi Grind has made $131K at the box office.