🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: James McTeigue
- Genre: Thriller, Action, Crime, Drama
- Release year: 2018
- Runtime (length): 1h 28min
- IMDb rating: 5.3/10 (29k votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 25%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
A woman rediscovers her inner MacGyver to fight off a bunch of surprisingly incompetent criminals who forgot to check the property listing before planning their heist.
🍿 Breaking In: Detailed Plot Synopsis
Setting the Stage: A Family Visit Turns Deadly
Shaun Russell, accompanied by her children Jasmine and Glover, travels to her recently deceased father Isaac’s secluded, high-security home. Their intention is to settle his estate and prepare the property for sale. Unbeknownst to them, a team of criminals is already inside, planning to rob a hidden safe believed to contain millions.

Hostage Situation: Kids Inside, Mom Locked Out
The criminals, led by Eddie, quickly take Jasmine and Glover hostage inside the house. Shaun is forced outside, triggering a desperate fight for survival. The house’s advanced security system becomes a double-edged sword, both protecting and trapping the family.

Shaun’s Resourcefulness: Breaking Back In
Locked out and determined to save her children, Shaun uses her knowledge of the house and its surroundings to outsmart the intruders. She employs a series of clever tactics, exploiting vulnerabilities in the security system and the criminals’ own weaknesses. The tension rises as Shaun confronts the increasingly desperate and ruthless gang.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Shaun Russell (Gabrielle Union): A determined mother who fights relentlessly to protect her children from a group of home invaders.
- Eddie (Billy Burke): The calculating leader of the group of criminals who orchestrates the home invasion in search of hidden money.
- Duncan (Richard Cabral): The ruthless and violent member of the criminal gang, prone to impulsive actions.
- Jasmine Russell (Ajiona Alexus): Shaun’s teenage daughter who displays resourcefulness and bravery during the home invasion.
- Glover Russell (Seth Carr): Shaun’s young son who uses his tech skills to aid his mother during the crisis.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Shaun Russell: “You broke into the wrong fucking house!” – Shaun defiantly shouts this at the intruders, signaling her determination to fight back.
- Eddie: “Fear I can manage. Desperation is a whole other thing.” – Eddie says this to highlight how dangerous Shaun can be as she becomes more desperate to save her children.
- Eddie: “Moms don’t run.” – Eddie acknowledges Shaun’s unwavering commitment to her children, knowing she won’t abandon them.
- Shaun Russell: “No, I’m not. I’m a mom.” – Shaun responds to Eddie’s compliment by explaining her motivation: she’s just a mother protecting her children.
💰Box Office
- Budget: $6,000,000
- Domestic Gross: $46,840,590
- Worldwide Gross: $51,411,620
💥 Breaking In Reviews
Personal Review
I went into ‘Breaking In’ expecting a generic thriller, but I was pleasantly surprised by Gabrielle Union’s performance. She really sold the fierce mother vibe, and there were a few moments where I was genuinely on the edge of my seat. The security system stuff felt a bit over-the-top, but overall, it was a fun and suspenseful watch. The part where she uses the firecrackers was great! It was a good movie night choice.
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of Gabrielle Union”
- “Viewers who enjoy home invasion thrillers”
- “People looking for a Mother’s Day themed movie”
- “Fans of action thrillers with strong female leads”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Violence”
- “Home Invasion”
- “Hostage Situation”
- “Brief Language”
Professional Reviews
- MovieWeb: “While predictable, ‘Breaking In’ delivers on its promise of a mother protecting her children. Gabrielle Union is believable in the role, and the film offers enough thrills to keep you engaged, though it doesn’t break any new ground in the home invasion genre.
- Night Film Reviews: “A popcorn film that doesn’t offer too much new material to the genre, yet engages its audience with hurdles of thrills and suspense. Union shows her star-power as a desperate mother who is willing to give up everything and anything to ensure the safety of the people she loves the most.
- IMDb User Review: “The actors did their thing. I enjoyed the movie, but yes the story was a little lack luster. The Actors did a great job, as far as playing their characters. The writers could of gave more backround as far as the story goes.
Audience Reactions
Gabrielle Union shines as a protective mother.: Viewers generally agree that Gabrielle Union’s portrayal of a mother fighting for her children is the strongest aspect of the film, making the movie relatable to parents.
Decent action and suspenseful moments keep you entertained.: Many viewers found the movie to be an enjoyable, albeit predictable, thriller with enough action and suspense to hold their attention.
Overall Consensus: While predictable and not groundbreaking, ‘Breaking In’ is a decent, action-packed thriller carried by Gabrielle Union’s strong performance as a protective mother.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “A mock-up rooftop set was built for the big confrontation sequence on the roof of the house.”
- “Director James McTeigue is known for his visual flair, notably in ‘V for Vendetta,’ but ‘Breaking In’ aimed for a more realistic, less stylized approach to the action.”
🖥️ How to Watch Breaking In?
Breaking In is available for streaming on various platforms. You can find it on Prime Video for rent or purchase. It is also available on Apple TV for purchase. Check your local listings for cable on-demand options. Several streaming services also offer it as part of their movie libraries, which may require a subscription.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed Breaking In, you might like these similar films:
- Panic Room (2002): A mother and daughter trapped in their home must outsmart intruders, using the house’s features to their advantage.
- The Call (2013): Halle Berry plays a 911 operator who takes matters into her own hands to save a kidnapped girl, showcasing a strong female lead.
- Wait Until Dark (1967): A woman with a disability must defend herself against criminals in her apartment, creating suspense and tension.
- Don’t Breathe (2016): A group of young burglars break into the house of a blind veteran who turns out to be far more dangerous than they anticipated.
- You’re Next (2011): During a family reunion, masked assailants attack, but one of the family members has a mysterious talent for fighting back.
🛒 Breaking In Related Products
- Breaking In [Blu-ray]: Own the action-packed thriller on Blu-ray and experience the intense home invasion with enhanced visuals and sound. A must-have for fans of the movie.
- Gabrielle Union Signed Photo: Autographed 8×10 photo of Gabrielle Union, a unique collectible for fans of the actress and ‘Breaking In.’ Authenticity guaranteed.
- Home Security System: Upgrade your home security with a smart system featuring cameras, sensors, and remote monitoring. Inspired by the high-tech security in the movie.
- Mom Life T-Shirt: Show your love for motherhood with a stylish ‘Mom Life’ t-shirt. Inspired by the strength and determination of Shaun Russell in ‘Breaking In’.
🎧 Soundtrack
Breaking In features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
Breaking In was filmed in Malibu, California.
A woman must find a way to break into a high-tech house after it is seized by criminals holding her children hostage.
No, Breaking In is a work of fiction, not based on a true story.
🔥 Bonus Content
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Did you think the Breaking Bad ending was a cop-out? This Film Theory dives into the hidden truth behind the finale and might just change your mind! I never thought of it this way, it’s actually really convincing.
EL CAMINO | A Breaking Bad Movie Analysis
Curious what others thought of El Camino? This video gives a solid analysis of the movie, highlighting its strengths and weaknesses. I found myself agreeing with a lot of his points!
How Breaking Bad Created the Most Terrifying Villains on Television
Ever wonder how Breaking Bad created villains that were *so* good at being bad? This video breaks down the psychology behind the characters and it’s super fascinating. Definitely worth a watch!
Breaking Bad: 25 Hidden Details in End Times (S4E12)
Ready to rewatch your favorite Breaking Bad episodes but want to find more hidden details? Watch this to find out a lot of cool things that I missed!
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