[go: up one dir, main page]

    Release calendarTop 250 moviesMost popular moviesBrowse movies by genreTop box officeShowtimes & ticketsMovie newsIndia movie spotlight
    What's on TV & streamingTop 250 TV showsMost popular TV showsBrowse TV shows by genreTV news
    What to watchLatest trailersIMDb OriginalsIMDb PicksIMDb SpotlightFamily entertainment guideIMDb Podcasts
    OscarsEmmysSan Diego Comic-ConSummer Watch GuideToronto Int'l Film FestivalIMDb Stars to WatchSTARmeter AwardsAwards CentralFestival CentralAll events
    Born todayMost popular celebsCelebrity news
    Help centerContributor zonePolls
For industry professionals
  • Language
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
Watchlist
Sign in
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
Use app
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • FAQ
IMDbPro

Concrete Cowboy

  • 2020
  • 13
  • 1h 51m
IMDb RATING
6.3/10
10K
YOUR RATING
Idris Elba and Caleb McLaughlin in Concrete Cowboy (2020)
While spending the summer in North Philadelphia, a troubled teen (Caleb McLaughlin) is caught between a life of crime and his estranged father’s (Idris Elba) vibrant urban-cowboy subculture. Inspired by the novel 'Ghetto Cowboy' by G. Neri, Concrete Cowboy is directed by Ricky Staub and co-stars Jharrel Jerome, Byron Bowers, Lorraine Toussaint and Clifford "Method Man" Smith. On Netflix April 2.
Play trailer2:29
11 Videos
34 Photos
DramaWestern

Sent to live with his estranged father for the summer, a rebellious teen finds kinship in a tight-knit Philadelphia community of Black cowboys.Sent to live with his estranged father for the summer, a rebellious teen finds kinship in a tight-knit Philadelphia community of Black cowboys.Sent to live with his estranged father for the summer, a rebellious teen finds kinship in a tight-knit Philadelphia community of Black cowboys.

  • Director
    • Ricky Staub
  • Writers
    • G. Neri
    • Ricky Staub
    • Dan Walser
  • Stars
    • Idris Elba
    • Caleb McLaughlin
    • Lorraine Toussaint
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.3/10
    10K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Ricky Staub
    • Writers
      • G. Neri
      • Ricky Staub
      • Dan Walser
    • Stars
      • Idris Elba
      • Caleb McLaughlin
      • Lorraine Toussaint
    • 129User reviews
    • 104Critic reviews
    • 67Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 win & 3 nominations total

    Videos11

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 2:29
    Official Trailer
    Idris Elba and Caleb McLaughlin Answer Fan Questions
    Clip 3:31
    Idris Elba and Caleb McLaughlin Answer Fan Questions
    Idris Elba and Caleb McLaughlin Answer Fan Questions
    Clip 3:31
    Idris Elba and Caleb McLaughlin Answer Fan Questions
    Concrete Cowboy
    Clip 0:56
    Concrete Cowboy
    Concrete Cowboy
    Clip 0:52
    Concrete Cowboy
    Concrete Cowboy: Do I Know You?
    Clip 1:03
    Concrete Cowboy: Do I Know You?
    Concrete Cowboy: Loose Horse
    Clip 0:56
    Concrete Cowboy: Loose Horse

    Photos33

    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    + 29
    View Poster

    Top cast54

    Edit
    Idris Elba
    Idris Elba
    • Harp
    Caleb McLaughlin
    Caleb McLaughlin
    • Cole
    Lorraine Toussaint
    Lorraine Toussaint
    • Nessi
    Jharrel Jerome
    Jharrel Jerome
    • Smush
    Ivannah-Mercedes
    Ivannah-Mercedes
    • Esha
    • (as Ivannah Mercedes)
    Jamil Prattis
    • Paris
    • (as Jamil 'Mil' Prattis)
    Method Man
    Method Man
    • Leroy
    • (as Cliff 'Method Man' Smith)
    Byron Bowers
    Byron Bowers
    • Rome
    Liz Priestley
    Liz Priestley
    • Amahle
    Michael Ta'Bon
    • Jalen
    • (as Michael 'OG Law' Ta'bon)
    Devenie Young
    • Trena
    Swen Temmel
    Swen Temmel
    • Security Guard
    Patrick McDade
    Patrick McDade
    • City Official
    • (as Patrick F. McDade)
    Danny Plaza
    Danny Plaza
    • Police Officer
    Andrew K. Stoltzfus
    • Amish Farmer
    Canyon Formato
    • Amish Kid
    Albert C. Lynch Jr.
    • Al
    Michael 'Miz' Upshur
    • Miz
    • Director
      • Ricky Staub
    • Writers
      • G. Neri
      • Ricky Staub
      • Dan Walser
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews129

    6.310.2K
    1
    2
    3
    4
    5
    6
    7
    8
    9
    10

    Featured reviews

    8MelliDan

    Excellent

    I went into this film with absolutely no expectations, knowing next to nothing about it. Man, am I glad I watched it - "Concrete Cowboy" is an inspiring film. While it is about horseback riding, this film is really about personal growth at its core. The central protagonist, Cole, goes through a journey of coming to terms with family, friendship and his own identity. The lifestyle of Philadelphia cowboys and the bonds they share with each other, as well as with their horses, ties everything together nicely. I was intrigued the whole time, especially by the strong performances the whole cast delivered.
    JohnDeSando

    Unusual and satisfying Netflix drama about Black urban cowboys.

    Who would have thought cowboys in Philly and Black no less? Concrete Cowboy is a small Netflix drama about 15-year-old Cole (Caleb McLaughlin) reconnecting with his estranged cowboy dad, Harp (Idris Elba, also producer), in aging stables of Philadelphia, where a group of cowboys have their horses and their identities. Anyone who loved The Rider will find Concrete Cowboy just as interesting about horses and humans, although Cole is much too underdeveloped in this film to compete with Rider's Brady.

    Although the film, based on G. Neri's Ghetto Cowboy (2011), has a generous supply of formula for a coming-of- age melodrama, the film infuses enough reality, including real cowboys to play parts, to make an enjoyable introduction to a culture most of us would never have known. Lenser Minka Farthing-Kohl finds beauty photographing the beautiful animals in the blighted 'hood, especially in sol-mo.

    The Fletcher Street Urban Riding Club is like no other, a Philadelphia organization for which the film makes no apology for its preaching about a slice of society ignored by pols and the public in general.

    The film travels in formula with Cole initially rebellious and then transformed by the horse experience, Harp going soft on the Cole, ignoramuses threatening the cowboy life, etc., well, you get the idea. What keeps it above average is the measured development overseen by director Ricky Staub, whereby incrementally the story reveals good guys and bad, and the cowboys will ride on.

    Like Cole and Harp, the story is about finding peace with loved ones and the world, both of which may guide us to a place called home. Even though the characters are outside the normal pale, they are worthwhile, sometimes talented folk who deserve a break. The fact that they are Black, urban cowboys is fascinating and itself a metaphor for repressed minorities everywhere.
    8fmatt-88980

    These are real Urban Cowboys

    It is hard not to like or respect the work of Lee Daniels. This coming of age story coupled with the reality of urban blight facing the coming gentrification has all the elements of great filmmaking. It's good to see Idris Elba taking roles that allow the world to see him light years away from his London accent and roots. New star Caleb Mclaughlin gives us more than just a troubled young man coming into maturity and gaining respect for his father and a new perspective on life.. The fact that this is based on real characters in a little known tale about Cowboys in modern day Philadelphia is even more amazing. . If you're looking for a happy ending this may not be for you. But if you're looking for a well produced, directed, written, and edited film don't pass this by.
    7ian-dodkins

    Nice horsey

    Good film. I wouldn't say excellent or a classic. It is an interesting story, drawing attention to the stables in Philadelphia as well as the dominance of black cowboys. Yeh, no surprises, but it isn't a film for surprises, it's just a sweet tale. It is true, people that know horses may find some parts unrealistic, but what is real, and is shown well in the film, is the bond between horses and people. Anyway, don't go out of your way to find this film, but watch it if you can. PS, I never found it slow or boring. It was well paced and story developed nicely.
    7qdharris

    7/10

    As an African American who grew up in rural adjacent Mississippi (Memphis Metro), went to graduate school in Philly, and currently lives in DC, I appreciated the mash up of so many different worlds in this film, despite the clumsiness of the overall storyline.

    Also, Philadelphia is such an interesting and diverse city! I enjoyed learning about the Fletcher Street cowboys, but viewers aren't really given a snapshot into much else in the city except for drugs and violence. That's really a shame considering Philly's amazing food scene, mural arts, rich music tradition, etc.

    More like this

    The Harder They Fall
    6.6
    The Harder They Fall
    Charlie, monte le son
    7.0
    Charlie, monte le son
    In the Long Run
    7.5
    In the Long Run
    Second Coming
    5.1
    Second Coming
    Mon premier combat
    6.4
    Mon premier combat
    The Cage
    7.9
    The Cage
    100 Streets
    5.8
    100 Streets
    Monster
    6.5
    Monster
    Cauchemars et canulars
    5.3
    Cauchemars et canulars
    Beasts of No Nation
    7.7
    Beasts of No Nation
    Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six: Siege the Day Feat. Idris Elba
    7.4
    Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six: Siege the Day Feat. Idris Elba
    Legacy
    5.0
    Legacy

    Related interests

    Mahershala Ali and Alex R. Hibbert in Moonlight (2016)
    Drama
    John Wayne and Harry Carey Jr. in La Prisonnière du désert (1956)
    Western

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Several of the actors are real-life cowboys of North Philly.
    • Goofs
      When you first see Cole he is sitting down outside the principal's office with his hands handcuffed behind him and by himself with no authority figure with him. Additionally, he was not tethered to a pole or anything. This is highly unusual. A handcuffed student would not be left outside of a room unintended, especially in a situation where they can easily get up and leave.
    • Quotes

      Nessie: Hard things come before good things

    • Connections
      Featured in The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon: Carey Mulligan/Caleb McLaughlin/Kali Uchis (2021)
    • Soundtracks
      I Wish I Knew
      Performed by The John Coltrane Quartet

      Courtesy of The Verve Music Group

      Under license from Universal Music Enterprises

    Top picks

    Sign in to rate and Watchlist for personalized recommendations
    Sign in

    FAQ18

    • How long is Concrete Cowboy?Powered by Alexa
    • What is the name of the John Coltrane track that Elba's character plays on the gramophone to his son?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • April 2, 2021 (France)
    • Countries of origin
      • United States
      • United Kingdom
    • Official site
      • Netflix Site
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Cowboys de Filadelfia
    • Filming locations
      • Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA(location)
    • Production companies
      • Green Door Pictures
      • Lee Daniels Entertainment
      • Neighborhood Film Co.
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 51m(111 min)
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.39 : 1

    Contribute to this page

    Suggest an edit or add missing content
    • Learn more about contributing
    Edit page

    More to explore

    Recently viewed

    Please enable browser cookies to use this feature. Learn more.
    Get the IMDb App
    Sign in for more accessSign in for more access
    Follow IMDb on social
    Get the IMDb App
    For Android and iOS
    Get the IMDb App
    • Help
    • Site Index
    • IMDbPro
    • Box Office Mojo
    • License IMDb Data
    • Press Room
    • Advertising
    • Jobs
    • Conditions of Use
    • Privacy Policy
    • Your Ads Privacy Choices
    IMDb, an Amazon company

    © 1990-2025 by IMDb.com, Inc.