A gruesome tale of desperation, greed, power, and money that brings all bloody scenes one can think of to the screen — Dragged Across Concrete is not only violent and graphic but also layered with deep meanings and emotional punches that instill both fear and heartbreak to the audience. The 2018 film is directed by S. Craig Zahler, a director famous for deep thrills and intense sequences that haunt many.
The crime-thriller film follows the story of two suspended and desperate detectives on their journey to scrape by to survive the cruel and violent world they live in. It’s a heavy and controversial watch; the graphic violence, heavy core topic, and extraordinary character attachment make the audience feel like they’ve been gutted after sitting through the film. But that’s probably what makes it engaging, too — the high stakes and emotional build up are what makes movies like this great.
Here are Dragged Across Concrete cast and characters.
Mel Gibson as Detective Brett Ridgeman
A well-experienced detective with many years under his belt, Detective Brett Ridgeman is one of two detectives who are suspended for racism and police brutality when on duty. Ridgeman has some financial issues in his personal life too, which pushes him further towards the breaking point when he gets suspended without pay. His family isn’t out of the woods, either. His wife, Melanie (Laurie Holden), is sick, and his daughter Sara (Jordan Ashley Olson) is bullied due to her father’s racist label. The family and financial issues are just enough catalysts for Ridgeman to challenge the grey area in his life.
Mel Gibson is a seasoned actor, producer, and director, with many award wins and nominations. He is well-known for his films such as Braveheart (1995), Mad Max (1979) and Lethal Weapon (1987). His most recent work is Desperation Road (2023) and a TV series, The Continental: From the World of John Wick (2023).
Vince Vaughn as Detective Anthony Lurasetti
The younger of the violent duo, Detective Anthony Lurasetti also stumbled due to the recorded video that caused the two detectives to get suspended without pay, pushing them past previous boundaries in order to survive. In need of money to propose to his girlfriend, Lurasetti is willing to play along with whatever plan available to earn money, whether legal or illegal.
Vince Vaughn is an actor, producer, and writer with an impressive list of films and TV shows under his name. With several award wins and nominations himself, Dragged Across Concrete isn’t his first rodeo with the film’s director S. Craig Zahler, they also worked together in a 2017 film titled Brawl in Cell Block 99. Vince Vaughn’s other famous works are Wedding Crashers (2015) and The Break-Up (2006), where he worked as both the producer and actor.
Tory Kittles as Henry Johns
Henry Johns, newly released from prison, quickly finds himself in need of money — yes, it’s a common theme for the film’s characters to be heavily motivated by money. As a person who just got out of prison, he can’t help but be desperate for cash. Though he has a family to go home to, they are in no better condition than him. His mother is behind rent, struggling with an addiction and caring for her disabled son. Henry Johns doesn't hesitate for a moment when he gets offered a job that pays.
Tory Kittles is no stranger to the crime genre, starring in the crime TV series, True Detective back in 2014 as Detective Thomas Papania, and in The Equalizer (2021 - 2023) as Detective Marcus Dante. He also starred in Bessie (2015) and Sons of Anarchy (2008 - 2011).
Michael Jai White as Biscuit
Biscuit is the local crime boss and Henry Johns’ childhood friend who offers Henry a job to help him out of a financial black hole that keeps sucking him in. Biscuit gets the title of local crime boss thanks to his way with the police and finding high-paying (and illegal) jobs, and he helps his old friend who is in need. Soon Henry Johns becomes a getaway driver and a lookout for Biscuit’s operation in robbing a bank.
Michael Jai White has been in the film industry for some years as an actor, writer, and producer, and he is also a martial artist. He is well known for his works, such as Spawn (1997), Black Dynamite (2009), and Outlaw Johnny Black (2023).
Jennifer Carpenter as Kelly Summer
A bank employee whose sudden appearance in her morning routine throws the pacing of the film a little, Kelly Summer is only just returning to her job after maternity leave. With her newborn baby, it’s more difficult for Kelly to juggle her work and life responsibilities. Her innocent morning routine sequence is part of a set-up for something bigger and more chilling later in the film.
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Udo Kier as Friedrich
Friedrich is a rich business man with connections all over town. His criminal connections allow him to have intel that may benefit certain people — and in this case, it’s Detective Ridgeman. Friedrich tips off the detective to a target with big bucks in his possession, leading the detectives to a gruesome operation while in pursuit of wealth.
Udo Kier is instantly recognizable. As a seasoned actor, writer, and producer, he has been in the film industry for a long time. His countless works, up to his most recent ones, prove his creativity and range as an actor, such as Hunters (2023), Bacurau (2019), and Swan Song (2021).
Thomas Kerschmann as Lorentz Vogelmann
On the other side of the detectives’ pursuit is Lorentz Vogelmann, a professional thief whose riches are the target of the detectives. To say the man is ruthless is an understatement — as an especially violent type of thief, he always pushes to do anything to keep and gain more money, even if it kills.
Thomas Kretschmann is an actor from Germany who has played quite a wide range of roles, such as in King Kong (2005), Deliver Us (2023), and A Taxi Driver (2017). He has several award wins and nominations, such as his performance in Grimm Love (2006) and Stalingrad (2013).
Justine Warrington as Cheryl
Another bank employee who falls victim to the cruel plans of these men, Cheryl is used by the robbers as a hostage once they manage to get in the bank. The innocent and terrified woman goes through a lot more as a hostage outside the bank than she does in the bank, having to perform deceitful and bloody actions just to stay alive.
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Even though you know exactly how and what’s about to go down, you still find yourself inching closer to the screen, immersing yourself in the story.Justine Warrington is experienced both in front of and behind the camera as an actor, producer, and in camera work. Other than Dragged Across Concrete, she is best known for her works, such as The Professor (2018), The Cabin Movie (2005), and Gold Digger Killer (2021).