What Doesn't Kill You Movie Cast, Plot and Everything to Know

Amy Renner

Last modified: Nov. 26, 2009

What Doesn't Kill You

Release Date: Friday, December 12, 2008 Limited

Director: Brian Goodman

Starring: Mark Ruffalo • Ethan Hawke • Brian Goodman • Donnie Whalberg • Amanda Peet

R Crime N/A

2.67 / 5.0

75% WILL SEE 25% WON'T SEE

Rent or buy

Plot – What's the story about?

Plot: Brian and Paulie are two young punks running loose on the hard streets of South Boston. Coming from separate but equally broken homes, the boys bond of friendship makes them brothers. They do whatever it takes to survive, living by the code of their dog eat dog neighborhood.

As Brian (Mark Ruffalo) and Paulie (Ethan Hawke) get older, petty crimes and misdemeanors grow into more serious offenses. Eventually, they fall under sway to the organized crime boss Pat Kelly (Brian Goodman) who runs the felonious backroom businesses and illicit trades in Southie. They also find themselves the targets of unwanted attention from Detective Moran (Donnie Wahlberg) one of Boston’s finest. And Brian in particular becomes lost in haze of drugs and rebellion. Even the love he has for his wife Stacy (Amanda Peet) and his children isn't enough to redeem him.

In time, the friends find themselves in jail – just a part of doing business on the mean streets they call home. Although not gone away forever Brian and Paulie are incarcerated long enough to learn a few lessons, but will they lead to changed lives on the outside? A storm of trouble is brewing: Paulie has big plans to liberate them from their life of crime – just one more job – one last heist – a bold and potentially violent daylight robbery. But Brian has used his time in jail to make amends to his family and get clean. When Paulie comes to him for help, Brian must face the biggest challenge to his code of honor that he could ever imagine: stand by his friend or salvage his family … he cannot do both!

"What Doesn't Kill You" reveals the true life drama that writer/director Brian Goodman underwent in his struggle to honor the people he loved – on both sides of the law.

Crime Drama Gangster

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Who stars in What Doesn't Kill You – Cast List

Mark Ruffalo
Crime 101, Avengers: Endgame
Ethan Hawke
Black Phone 2, Blue Moon
B
Brian Goodman
Another Day in America
D
Donnie Whalberg
Amanda Peet
2012, Syriana

Who is making What Doesn't Kill You – Crew List

A look at What Doesn't Kill You behind-the-scenes crew and production team. The film's director Brian Goodman last helmed Black Butterfly.

Director: Brian Goodman
Screenwriters: Brian Goodman
Paul T. Murray
Producers: Marc Frydman
Rod Lurie
Bob Yari

Studios: Yari Film Group
Production Company: Battle Plan Productions

Production – What we know about the What Doesn't Kill You

Key Facts

Based on Brian Goodman's life.

Movie Filming Timeline: Production Status Updates

Dec 2004

Completed

Changed What Doesn't Kill You movie production status. The movie is ready for release.

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Additional Information

Parent Rating: R Restricted for language, drug use, some violence and brief sexuality
Runtime: N/A
Tagline: Not available
Also known as: Real Men Cry
Language: English

What Doesn't Kill You Trailers and Clips

No trailers are currently available.

What Doesn't Kill You Release Date: When was the film released?

What Doesn't Kill You was released in limited movie theaters on Friday, December 12 , 2008. There were nine other movies released on the same date, including The Day the Earth Stood Still, Doubt and Gran Torino. As a limited release, What Doesn't Kill You was shown in select movie theaters in major markets.