Daniel Lugo, manager of the Sun Gym in 1990s Miami, decides that there is only one way to achieve his version of the American dream: extortion. To achieve his goal, he recruits musclemen Paul and Adrian as accomplices. After several failed attempts, they abduct rich businessman Victor Kershaw and convince him to sign over all his assets to them. But when Kershaw makes it out alive, authorities are reluctant to believe his story.
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- jackmeatFebruary 4, 2025My quick rating - 6.6/10. Did the Rock appear in every movie throughout the summer of 2013? Anyway, this movie is based on a true story, which makes it that much better when you see it. Reason for this? These "criminals" have to be the dumbest people in the world. The story revolves around 3 fitness trainers or muscleheads who decide they want better things in life. Well, of course, the best way to get them is to steal them. The mastermind of this is Danny Lugo (played by Mark Wahlberg, who as usual is great), who concocts a scheme to kidnap one of the clients of the club (Tony Shalhoub), and extort his millions. So he recruits Adrian (Anthony Mackie) and Paul (Dwayne Johnson) to execute this brilliant plan. I would dive into the plan, but I really don't think there was one. That is the beauty of the genius of the plan. They said, "screw it, let's wing it," and since they are aforementioned idiots, this leads to some extremely funny moments. The movie itself is not action, but more of a comedy that just shows how dumb people are. So let's just say they painstakingly achieve their goal and score the money, but that is only half of it. In their own ways, one score wasn't enough due to their various eccentric behaviors, and now a new plot is hatched. You would think after the first plan's failure (barring getting the money) they may have learned they are not cut out for this. There are plenty of little side plots in the story that when the movie sums them up for you in court, you will be just listening to the account of this heist and just plain out laugh, not even realizing you just saw it in the past two hours of viewing. The characters work so well off of each other that the humor comes fairly quickly, yet subtly. This is all put together very well into a fine flick that delivers the laughs. I was impressed that Michael Bay pulled this off since he isn't known for comedy. Set in the 90s and in Miami, the look is just what you would expect, fluorescent colors, jean shorts, etc., all are abound. A very comedic look at a violent yet amusing crime that actually happened. I would love to know just how accurate this movie is, because it just seems so over the top in how stupid the characters were. Oh, one thing I noticed that I am unsure how this fits into the criminals' lifestyles and is more used for humor: An obsession with the male sex organ, real and fake, the subject comes up a lot. All and all, an enjoyable movie and The Rock once again steals the show with his g-d fearing coke-head character that will just keep you laughing. I personally think it was just a bit too long, but that is ok. Bonus for wrestling fans: look closely for a Kurt Angle sighting in this movie.
- Erik WellmannJune 22, 2025One of my alltime favorites. Enjoying every rewatch.
- CarterJanuary 26, 2026Pain & Gain is an insane true story that will have you shocked by the end. The film has some pretty good cinematography that blends with the Miami style of the film. The performances are really good in this film. The film has a couple of good chase sequences that are pretty intense. The film also has a pretty insane ending that honestly is kind of shocking of what really happened to these characters. The characters are pretty unlikeable so it’s very hard for you to route for anybody in this film. The movie also is pretty dark and brutal which can pull you out of the film at some points, and it also just makes the film hard to ever want to watch. So overall it’s a decent film that is well made and well told, but not a film I would ever really be in the mood to watch.
- Sean McConnellFebruary 3, 2026Mark Wahlberg & Dwayne Johnson Were In The Other Guys (2010) Movie Together.
- VandytOctober 24, 2025A story as real as it is fantastic—laughs guaranteed
- Steven DiazSeptember 7, 2025True story but with some Comedy. The rock very funny.
- cultfilmlikerAugust 11, 2025“Whatever it takes.”
- Emily Vick-AdkinsFebruary 23, 2025Hey people! Idk the review is so low, because it'd one of my all-time faves. Got it all, comedy, action, true crime! It's based on a very true, very funny story w the Rock n Mark Wahlberg. Yum, how could u not watch if only for those 2!
- Rhonda PhillipsFebruary 20, 2025Great actors and movie true story
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Pain & Gain was released on April 18, 2013.
Pain & Gain was directed by Michael Bay.
Pain & Gain has a runtime of 2h 10m.
Pain & Gain was produced by Michael Bay, Ian Bryce, Donald De Line.
Daniel Lugo, manager of the Sun Gym in 1990s Miami, decides that there is only one way to achieve his version of the American dream: extortion. To achieve his goal, he recruits musclemen Paul and Adrian as accomplices. After several failed attempts, they abduct rich businessman Victor Kershaw and convince him to sign over all his assets to them. But when Kershaw makes it out alive, authorities are reluctant to believe his story.
The key characters in Pain & Gain are Daniel Lugo (Mark Wahlberg), Paul Doyle (Dwayne Johnson), Adrian Doorbal (Anthony Mackie).
Pain & Gain is rated R.
Pain & Gain is a Comedy, Drama, Crime film.
Pain & Gain has an audience rating of 4.7 out of 10.
Pain & Gain had a budget of $25M.
Pain & Gain has made $87.3M at the box office.