Forgotten Frank Grillo Action Thriller Finds Streaming Success

Tulsa King star's 2019 film Black and Blue is a hit on free streaming platform Tubi.

Mar. 21, 2026 at 10:20pm

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After an underwhelming theatrical run in 2019, Frank Grillo's action thriller Black and Blue has found new life on the free streaming service Tubi. The film, which also stars Naomie Harris and Tyrese Gibson, follows a rookie New Orleans police officer who inadvertently captures the murder of a drug dealer by corrupt cops on her body cam. Despite mixed reviews from critics, the film has resonated with audiences and is currently one of the top-watched movies on Tubi.

Why it matters

Black and Blue's newfound streaming success highlights the changing landscape of film distribution and consumption. While the movie struggled to find an audience in theaters, it is now reaching a wider audience through free streaming, allowing more people to discover this overlooked action thriller. The film's themes of police corruption and community distrust also feel particularly timely.

The details

Directed by Deon Taylor, Black and Blue follows a rookie New Orleans police officer named Alicia West (Naomie Harris) who witnesses the murder of a young drug dealer by corrupt cops. Realizing she has incriminating footage on her body cam, Alicia teams up with a local who is willing to help her expose the crooked officers. However, she soon finds herself on the run from both the vengeful criminals and the lawmen who want to destroy the evidence.

  • Black and Blue was released in theaters on October 25, 2019.
  • The film had a disappointing opening weekend, earning only $8 million at the domestic box office.
  • Despite the underwhelming theatrical performance, Black and Blue is now finding success on the free streaming platform Tubi in 2026.

The players

Frank Grillo

An American actor known for his roles in the Purge franchise, Captain America: The Winter Soldier, and the Tulsa King TV series.

Naomie Harris

A British actress who has starred in films such as Moonlight, Spectre, and the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise.

Tyrese Gibson

An American actor and singer who is best known for his roles in the Fast and Furious film series.

Deon Taylor

An American filmmaker who directed Black and Blue and is known for other action thrillers like Fatale and The Intruder.

Tubi

A free ad-supported streaming service that is owned by the Fox Corporation.

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What’s next

As Black and Blue continues to find success on Tubi, it remains to be seen if the film's newfound popularity will lead to a renewed interest in a potential sequel or other projects involving the cast and crew.

The takeaway

Black and Blue's journey from box office disappointment to streaming hit underscores the evolving nature of film distribution and consumption. While the movie may have struggled to find an audience in theaters, its availability on a free streaming platform has allowed more people to discover and appreciate this overlooked action thriller.