User Reviews

When I first read the synopsis I thought this would be another cheaply made prison B-movie, with tons of macho cliches. None of that though.

The good: seriously good acting performances by all actors involved, but especially the leading actor is quite impressive to watch.

More good: we only get to see the inside of the dark prison cells, but despite these small and claustrophobic prison cells, there is still lots of great photography to be seen, underscored with a decent soundtrack. I hadnt expected these kind of qualities in such a low budget movie.

Not any bad? Well, this story is simply too bleak and depressing to my likings. This movie will never get popular for that very reason, but I aint saying it is a bad movie because of that. Not at all.

One thing was bugging me though, because there is a lack in dramatic development in the story, because there simply is not any sort of gripping storyline, which could have kept me on the edge of my seat wondering what would happen next. There was only more of the same bleak and depressing scenes of prison life, minute after minute... Understandable of course, because repetitious, depressing lving conditions is what real prison life is about, but movie making isnt. Kinda missed opportunity, to make this movie rise beyond what it is effectively now: a hardhitting, depressing portrait of the destructive prison conditions.

Well acted though. And impressively portrayed. But I guess only suited for those who can stumach such a bleak and depressing story...

Actor Ross McCall makes his directorial debut, second writing credit, and also cast himself in this low budget B film, and he did not disappoint. This is one of the much better B films I've seen in a long time. McCall's directing, along with the excellent cinematography, use of colors, and amazing camera angles/shots, as well as the impressive low budget basically two-room set, captured the gritty prison jail cell vibe to perfection. Add the better than usual (for a B film) score - just sometimes a little overbearing, and the viewer is immersed in the scenes. The 105 min runtime flew by even with the slow pacing and the lack of any real storyline, which is my only complaint. I get that McCall was aiming for a more character driven film, but there were many convoluted scenes, some needing more info, and an ending that needed explaining. I usually can guess or use my imagination for such endings, but I got too invested in the story and really wanted to know what McCall was trying to achieve. Had his writing been tighter, this film could've been one of the best prison films. The casting and performances were all spot on, with Fairbrass giving us one of his best performances to date. He carried this film and was really convincing in his character. Stephen Odubola was awesome, and the lovely Zoe Tapper was easy on the eyes. Overall I really enjoyed this film, and if you're a fan of the genre or Fairbrass, it's a must see. I applaud Ross McCall for giving us this little gem. It's a well deserving 7.5 rounded up to 8/10 from me.

A very powerful, grim but compelling prison drama focused primarily on a prisoner serving life with no chance of ever being released.

The whole movie is set in one prison cell without a single glimpse of the outside world. It's a hard hitting exploration of coming to terms with life with no hope.

The acting is superb which really gives the impact intended by the writer of this extremely grim tale.

Part of me was eager for the movie to end as it was so depressing but I am glad that I watched it. If nothing else it makes the viewer glad not to share such a hopeless future.

My only complaint is that I found the dialogue difficult to understand as the characters tended to mumble a lot. Perhaps it was just the sound recording but I kept having to turn up the volume, yet still I couldn't understand it all.

All in all I thought the movie was very good but don't watch it if you need cheering up.

Its sad to see that great movies and outstanding acting dont get high scores anymore.

Anyway.... This movie is a 1 room story. That in itself is hard to do then theres the small team and low budget. But the skill of the makers and acting made for a great film.....I swear i sound like I work for them but I dont. I just like the theatre and watching a good play...which by the way isnt much more thana cinema ticket.

But watching a theatre production gives you a respect for the story teller and acting to tell a huge story and off shoots of that story all from one stage...or room in this case, and to pull it off. And I think that gives me a respect and understanding for the work put into this film.

Not perfect but really well done and acting is outstanding. I believed everyone was who they portrayed ...some hollywood A listers could learn a thing or two.

Story telling 8 acting 10 score 7.

Low ratings from low-IQ viewers, I guess. I thought it was excellent. Yes, claustrophobic, as it all takes place inside a single dark prison cell, but the acting is top-notch, it's emotional, it holds your attention. It did mine. I just finished watching it and I'm kind of gutted. The daughter, in a brief performance, is wonderful. I'm glad I watched and I urge others to watch with an open mind. This is worth your time.

Portrait of a violent man. Everyone involved should be proud of this production. Fairbrass has never been better.

More like a play than a movie but with cinematic quality. Everyone performs their part carefully and maturely, I believed them all. At the helm is Fairbrass who carries the film with menace and compassion. Following his performance in Muscle, Fairbrass has proven he ihas more subtlety than the extremes of Pat Tate. His choices as an actor have smartly stretched and I'm glad to have my expectations as a fan change with satisfaction.

Ultimately though director, Ross McCall, must take the credit. I'd never heard of him but I'll watch for his future projects with interest too.

To be fair, there's a bit more to it than that, and Fairbrass is a slightly different character. Here he spends a lot of time contemplating on what it means to be a man that feels nothing. When he's in company of others there's usually fights breaking out or words of wisdom on how to survive. Overall it's an okay film, it never really builds up tension to dramatic key points though. The directing is all over the place, some good, some not so. The music often doesn't work.

I said else where that I thought Craig Fairbrass had a decent performance in him if he got right role and this might be it. OK he's not going to turn up in a Merchant Ivory type offering any time soon but in this role he was very believable and believable without being over the top.

This is a movie with a serious message and I am worried that the kind of men it is trying to reach will simply get off on the violence and the teenage boy type machismo that seems to keep them in an extended childhood. I guess it's about choices really, choices and what you're willing to sacrifice in order to carry on living like an animal with no conscience.

Can't understand the score on here, all the written reviews here are positive. Acting is top class, this is a different type of story getting into the mind of a psychotic but very intelligent prisoner. Scary stuff, very well acted. Well done to Craig and the actors.

Once again Mr Fairbrass shines through in this prison drama, a believable look at prison life and lost hope, thought provoking, claustrophobic, gritty, and tense Loved it.

When I watched this at first I had mixed feelings. As many say it is indeed just a movie of a man in his cell and I wasn't blown away with it at first. I was expecting mayhem and extreme violence but it has nowhere near the intensity of Foot Soldiers, Villain, etc. So I sat on my thoughts and watched it again a few hours later.

Having watched it the second time around it came across totally differently. I would say it's some of the best acting Fairbrass has ever done and he went deep into who this character was and played him very well as a violent psychopath, yet a man who also thought deeply about what he had done, questioned who he was, and tried to understand the man that he once was and who he had become. One minute he was a 6ft 4 yeti psycho yet the next minute he was caring and compassionate. He really saw himself in his cellmate which calmed him in some ways. Ultimately did his demons take over or was it his care and compassion? Very deep indeed!

I found it a very moving, dark psychological movie that made you think and I would say it's a fantastic movie.

For those who complain I suggest you drop the expectation of violence and watch it again. This movie will truly get into your psyche and make you think.

Fairbrass has shown it's not all about non-stop violence and he has seriously raised his acting game.

Well, AVENGEMENT this isn't. Instead it looks like a typical cheap lockdown movie, shot in just a single dark room with a few characters chattering interminably away. The plot feels like a spin on the old prison dramas about old lags taking young rookies under their wing, but despite a few moments of casual violence it's very dull, with cod psychology and bored actors.

A exceptional film with Fairbrass revealing what a talented actor he can be. A real insight into a man who has no where to go, no one to love and no remorse - extremely sad, real and thought provoking.

I did not award the full 10 only because perfection is required to achieve that status.

The scene between daughter and Steve and the one between Steve and his younger Dad were superb.

Prison life is painful and you begin to realise what the main reason is that people fear prison - not the cell or the 5 years - it's the people you have to mix with - you can't relax for a minute - there is evil around every corner, in every cell.

I will say one thing. The cast actually did pretty well. The dialogue was ok in places but the plot I didn't think was all that. Going in I didn't know this film would be set entirely in the prison and found myself half way through hoping for it to end. However when Steve was talking to these other character as if they were there I did like, the shooting of those scenes made you feel for the man and you really got to see more of who he is. Altogether not that great but if you like prison dramas with a bit of violence and excessive uses of swearing you'll like it.

A quiet, but dangerous lifer shares a cell with a new young inmate, which he develops a liking to. Its set in a violent prison and as the film progresses, they both fend off rival gangs whilst looking out for one another.

I can't see it winning any major awards anytime soon, but I did enjoy it, due to how well the script and actors where. If got a couple of hours spare, I'd recommend it, if your into gritty prison dramas.

Actually tbh after I watched this the 1st time I didn't go much on it but I watched it again and it grew on me ! It's really brilliantly acted and it tells a dark story and well acted by Craig Fairbrass! He's certainly an influential actor. Great movie.

Not sure why the overall score is low whilst the reviews score high but this is a very serious film with a thought-provoking script about the nature of violence. Fairbrass is utterly convincing and it's about time he was given a role in a bigger budget movie.

He spent his whole time trying to save his cellmate from the wrathes of the other violent prisoners...thought that a bond was formed between the two....he really was a violent man. Never expected that ending. A couple days before his cellmate was getting released...hmmm. Great movie. Acting was superb. His daughter gave a great performance..even though it was a short part. Bravo. Hope to see her again !

Its a prison drama with good acting and not replying on beating after beating to make entertainment. It's obviously low budget but well done Ross for making this, it doesn't always have to be a massive budget to make something decent and you've proved that mate 👍

Not an action movie. While I appreciated its attempt at depth and understanding, I didn't find it interesting despite the excellent cast, direction and dialog. If you like stories that are drawn out with a lot of talking about characters' backgrounds and feelings of regret and nihilism, this one might be for you. Otherwise it's a fastforward kind of movie.

First review to thank Craig Fairbass for his recent films, I love British stuff and he bringing it. There's is depth to his films and I just buzz off his tough guy role too looking forward to the next one . Ignore rating, Great film especially if get your into British films and enjoy his previous work.

Watched last night and throughly enjoyed watching Craig fairbrass.

1. Great acting as usual.

2. Great fights.

3. Typical prison film.

4. Highly recommend.

Quite low budget but good all the same.