You've probably seen it while scrolling through Netflix or Prime Video late at night—a gritty, sun-drenched poster of Gina Carano looking like she's about to dismantle a small army. That's In the Blood. Released in 2014, it’s one of those movies that didn't exactly break the box office, but it’s grown into a cult favorite for fans of "revenge cinema." It’s basically Taken, but set in the Caribbean and starring an MMA powerhouse.
When people look up the cast of In the Blood movie, they're usually surprised by how many recognizable faces are packed into this mid-budget action flick. It isn't just a vehicle for Carano. You've got a legendary villain actor, a Prison Break alum, and some serious veteran talent that gives the film more weight than your average straight-to-DVD-style thriller.
Honestly, the casting is why the movie works as well as it does. Without this specific group of actors, the plot—which involves a husband disappearing on a zip-line during a honeymoon—might feel a bit thin. But because the ensemble is so grounded, you actually care when things go sideways.
Gina Carano as Ava: The Unstoppable Force
At the center of everything is Gina Carano. Before she was Cara Dune in The Mandalorian or Angel Dust in Deadpool, she was Ava.
Carano's casting was a deliberate choice by director John Stockwell. He’s known for filming in tropical locations (Blue Crush, Into the Blue), and he needed someone who looked like they could survive the jungle and a street fight simultaneously. Ava is a woman with a "dark past"—which in movie-speak means her father was a high-level criminal who taught her how to kill people with her bare hands.
What makes Carano stand out here isn't just the choreography. It’s the physicality. Most action stars look like they’re dancing. Carano looks like she’s colliding. When she hits someone in this movie, you feel the impact. She brings a raw, unpolished energy that fits a character who is desperate to find her husband, Derek.
Interestingly, Carano has mentioned in past interviews that In the Blood was a physically demanding shoot because of the Puerto Rican heat and the "run-and-gun" nature of the production. She did the majority of her own stunts, which adds a layer of authenticity that CGI-heavy blockbusters usually lack.
Cam Gigandet: The Man Who Vanishes
Derek Grant is played by Cam Gigandet. You might remember him as the villainous vampire James from the first Twilight movie or as the antagonist in Never Back Down.
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In this film, he plays against his usual "bad boy" type. Derek is the wealthy, somewhat soft husband who adores Ava. His role is primarily to be the catalyst for the entire plot. He goes down a zip-line, the harness snaps, and suddenly he's gone.
Gigandet doesn't have as much screen time as Carano, but his performance is crucial. You have to believe that Ava would burn down an entire island to find him. He plays Derek with a certain vulnerability that makes the stakes feel real.
The Heavy Hitters: Treat Williams and Stephen Lang
This is where the cast of In the Blood movie gets really interesting. The producers didn't just hire random character actors; they brought in two absolute titans of the screen to play the father figures.
Treat Williams plays Robert Grant, Derek’s wealthy and disapproving father. Williams, who tragically passed away in 2023, was a veteran of the industry. In this movie, he provides the friction. He doesn't trust Ava. He thinks she’s a gold-digger with a shady history. His presence adds a layer of family drama that makes the search for Derek feel more complicated than a simple kidnapping.
Then you have Stephen Lang.
Lang plays Ava’s father in flashbacks. If you've seen Avatar or Don't Breathe, you know Lang specializes in "intense men you don't want to cross." He’s the one who trains Ava, teaching her the brutal survival skills that eventually save her life. Even in his limited scenes, Lang dominates the screen. He makes you understand why Ava is the way she is—a hardened survivor who can't just "relax" on a honeymoon.
The Local Villains and Allies
A movie like this lives or dies by its supporting cast, specifically the people Ava encounters on the island who may or may not be involved in the conspiracy.
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- Luis Guzmán as Chief Ramón Garza: Guzmán is a legend. He’s appeared in everything from Boogie Nights to Wednesday. Here, he plays the local police chief. He plays the role with a mix of weariness and hidden agendas. Is he a "bad cop"? Or is he just a guy trying to keep a lid on a volatile situation? Guzmán keeps you guessing.
- Amaury Nolasco as Silvio Lugo: Best known as Sucre from Prison Break, Nolasco plays a local underworld figure. He’s the bridge between the tourist world and the criminal element. Nolasco is great at playing characters who are charming but dangerous, and he fits perfectly into the Puerto Rican setting.
- Danny Trejo as Big Biz: You can’t have a gritty action movie without Danny Trejo. It’s almost a law at this point. Trejo plays a character named Big Biz, a local kingpin. While his role is relatively small, his presence instantly ups the "cool factor" of the film.
Why the Casting Matters for SEO and Discovery
When people search for the cast of In the Blood movie, they are often trying to figure out why the actors look so familiar. It’s a "Hey, it’s that guy!" kind of movie.
From an entertainment perspective, this film is a great example of how a strong ensemble can elevate a familiar premise. If you replace Luis Guzmán with a generic actor, the scenes at the police station lose their tension. If you don't have Stephen Lang in the flashbacks, Ava’s motivation feels less grounded.
The film was shot almost entirely on location in Puerto Rico. This allowed the production to utilize local talent and authentic backgrounds, which helps the "island noir" aesthetic. The casting reflects this, blending Hollywood veterans with actors who feel like they actually belong in that environment.
A Quick Look at the Main Players
If you're looking for a quick breakdown of who played who, here's the gist of it:
Ava is played by Gina Carano, the former MMA fighter.
Derek Grant, the husband, is Cam Gigandet.
Robert Grant, the father-in-law, is the late Treat Williams.
Chief Garza is played by the prolific Luis Guzmán.
Silvio Lugo is played by Amaury Nolasco.
Big Biz is, of course, Danny Trejo.
Ava’s Father appears in flashbacks played by Stephen Lang.
Common Misconceptions About the Movie
A lot of people confuse In the Blood with other similarly titled action movies. There’s a Blood Out, a Blood-C, and about a dozen other "Blood" titles.
Another misconception is that it was a big-budget theatrical release. It actually had a limited theatrical run and found its real audience on VOD and streaming. Because of this, some viewers assume the cast will be "no-names," only to be shocked when they see Robert Grant and Stephen Lang facing off.
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Also, some people think this was Gina Carano's first movie. It wasn't. She had already done Haywire with Steven Soderbergh, which is arguably her most "prestige" action film. In the Blood was her proving that she could carry a movie without a massive A-list director behind her.
What to Watch After In the Blood
If you enjoyed the cast of In the Blood movie and the general vibe of the film, you should probably check out these specific titles to see the actors in similar roles:
- Haywire (2011): This is the definitive Gina Carano movie. The cast is insane: Michael Fassbender, Ewan McGregor, Channing Tatum, and Antonio Banderas. It’s a more polished, tactical version of the "betrayed operative" story.
- Don't Breathe (2016): If Stephen Lang was your favorite part, watch this. He plays a blind man who is terrifyingly capable of defending his home.
- The Limey (1999): While it doesn't feature the same cast, it’s a great example of the "outsider looking for a missing relative in a corrupt place" genre.
- Narcos: If you liked Amaury Nolasco or Luis Guzmán, this series is a masterclass in the kind of gritty, crime-focused storytelling In the Blood touches on.
Final Thoughts on the Ensemble
The cast of In the Blood movie is much stronger than it needed to be. Usually, for a mid-tier action film, you get one "name" and a bunch of unknowns. Here, you get a stacked deck of character actors who know exactly how to play these roles.
Gina Carano delivers the physicality, but it's the supporting cast that builds the world around her. Treat Williams brings the gravitas, Luis Guzmán brings the local flavor, and Stephen Lang brings the intensity.
If you're a fan of revenge thrillers or just want to see a pre-Mandalorian Gina Carano do what she does best, In the Blood is worth a watch. It's a reminder that even "simple" action movies can be elevated by smart casting and actors who take the material seriously.
Actionable Next Steps
To get the most out of your viewing experience or your deep dive into this cast, consider these steps:
- Check Streaming Availability: As of now, the movie rotates frequently between platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Tubi (usually free with ads), and Pluto TV.
- Follow the Careers: If you liked the "tough-as-nails" female lead, look into Kate (Netflix) or The Old Guard.
- Explore Puerto Rican Cinema: Since the movie was filmed in Puerto Rico and features local talent, it’s a good jumping-off point to explore other films shot on the island, which has become a major filming hub due to tax incentives.
- Research Gina Carano’s Training: If you're interested in the stunt work, there are several "behind-the-scenes" clips on YouTube showing Carano rehearsing the choreography for the nightclub fight scene, which is widely considered the highlight of the film.