Animol review: Adolescence star Ashley Walters makes an impressive, confident directorial debut

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A star rating of 4 out of 5.

British prison drama fans have a lot to look forward to this year. Following the release of Wasteman this week, comes Animol. This gripping film marks the first feature-length directorial effort from Ashley Walters, known for his roles in shows like Top Boy and, recently, directing episodes of Adolescence and A Thousand Blows. Animol premiered at the Berlin Film Festival and features impressive performances from young actors, including Tut Nyuot (from The Long Walk) and a cast alongside Cillian Murphy in a Netflix drama.

In this story, Troy is sent to a young offender institution while awaiting trial for a serious crime – conspiring to commit murder. He quickly befriends Krystian, a fellow inmate, on the same day he meets Dion, a dangerous prisoner. Dion threatens to make things difficult for Troy unless he gets a phone smuggled in. Krystian creates a diversion, allowing Troy to sneak the phone past the guards, but this won’t be the last time Dion asks for a favor.

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Troy finds himself sharing a cell with the unpredictable Mason (played by Ryan Dean). He’s immediately ordered by D to attack Mason with a makeshift weapon – a razor blade hidden inside a toothbrush. The threat is clear: it’s either Troy or Mason. Though Troy tries to appear tough in front of others, he can’t go through with the violent act. The story effectively portrays Troy as someone who isn’t naturally aggressive, simply trying to endure his time in prison, and the script highlights the passing days of his confinement.

Written by Nick Love, who previously worked with Walters on the TV series Bulletproof, this film is a departure from Love’s typically energetic and youthful directorial style – like his recent film, Marching Powder, starring Danny Dyer. While it doesn’t reach the same level of harshness as Alan Clarke’s classic prison film, Scum, it shares a realistic portrayal of life inside, similar to the film Wasteman. It depicts the realities of modern prisons, including the use of drones to smuggle contraband and the prevalence of drugs and violence, creating a bleak yet believable atmosphere.

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What truly stands out is the film’s emotional depth. We see Troy, a character grappling with hardship, gradually finding support from unexpected places – his mother, who is working through her own struggles with addiction, a person hoping to reconnect with him, and a compassionate prison guard (Stephen Graham, in a brief but powerful performance) who wants to help him turn his life around.

Claypole, played by Graham, has a particularly memorable scene where he gets the prisoners to let go of their pride and join him in an impromptu dance. While it’s reminiscent of a similar moment in the sitcom Peep Show, it’s a surprisingly heartwarming scene that helps Animol differentiate itself from typical prison movies, which often focus solely on bleakness and hopelessness.

The film includes moments of humor, such as a scene where inmates learn to iron, but mostly focuses on the harsh realities of prison life. A misspelled message scrawled on the wall – “You are not an animal” – ironically highlights the brutal environment. Within the prison system, inmates are often forced to act on instinct to survive, as any sign of weakness can make them vulnerable. It’s a strong and assured first film from Walters.

Authors

James Mottram

James Mottram is a London-based film critic, journalist, and author.

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2026-02-14 22:35