Shot Caller (2017)
Kernel Score: 75% · 2,186 ratings · Rated R
Genres: Crime, Drama, Thriller
Released: 2017-07-07
Runtime: 121 minutes
Is Shot Caller worth watching?
Worth watching. A prison-gang crime drama about a man who becomes someone else to survive inside. It's familiar territory, but the lead performance and the slow transformation make it more engaging than you'd expect.
Watch it if you
- like gritty prison and gang dramas
- enjoy slow-burn transformation stories
Skip it if you
- can't handle brutal violence
- want something original
Best for: Solo night in
Fresh Kernels verdict, AI-assisted from our scores, audience reviews and the official rating.
Where to watch Shot Caller
- Stream: Cinemax Apple TV channel
- Rent: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
- Buy: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
US availability, updated 2026-10-22.
Overview
A newly-released prison gangster is forced by the leaders of his gang to orchestrate a major crime with a brutal rival gang on the streets of Southern California.
Shot Caller parents' guide: ages 15+
Parents need to know that Shot Caller is an R-rated crime drama about a man forced into gang violence and drug dealing after prison.
- Violence & scariness: Strong — Rated R with gun battles, prison riots, and manslaughter driving the plot.
- Drinking, drugs & smoking: Moderate — Features drug dealing and driving drunk as part of the criminal storyline.
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official R rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
Movies like Shot Caller
If you liked Shot Caller, these are the movies we'd watch next.
- Bound by Honor (1993) — 91%: Gang life from prison to the streets.
- End of Watch (2012) — 83%: Gritty, close-up look at violence on the street.
- The Departed (2006) — 96%: Undercover crime thriller with moral stakes.
- The Usual Suspects (1995) — 91%: Crime thriller with a sharp, twisty plot.
- Dog Day Afternoon (1975) — 89%: Tense crime drama built on a real man in a crisis.
- Assault on Precinct 13 (1976) — 82%: Siege thriller with a gritty edge.
Director
Cast
- Nikolaj Coster-Waldau as Jacob 'Money' Harlon
- Omari Hardwick as Kutcher
- Jon Bernthal as Frank 'Shotgun'
- Lake Bell as Kate Harlon
- Emory Cohen as Howie
- Jeffrey Donovan as Bottles
- Holt McCallany as Jerry 'The Beast' Manning
- Evan Jones as Chopper
- Andrew Bachelor as Tony
- Benjamin Bratt as Sanchez
Shot Caller FAQ
Is Shot Caller worth watching?
Worth watching. A prison-gang crime drama about a man who becomes someone else to survive inside. It's familiar territory, but the lead performance and the slow transformation make it more engaging than you'd expect.
Where can I watch Shot Caller?
In the US you can stream Shot Caller on Cinemax Apple TV channel and rent it from Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play and YouTube.
Is Shot Caller OK for kids?
Shot Caller is rated R. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 15+. Parents need to know that Shot Caller is an R-rated crime drama about a man forced into gang violence and drug dealing after prison.
What movies are like Shot Caller?
If you liked Shot Caller, try Bound by Honor, End of Watch, The Departed and The Usual Suspects.