Wasteman – REVIEW

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The film Wasteman immediately establishes its intense nature with a brutal opening scene – reminiscent of a similar moment in Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer – where two prisoners nearly kill a cellmate by attacking him with a television. This earns the film its 18 certificate and sets the stage for the grim events to come. After the violent attack, Taylor (David Jonsson) finds himself sharing a cell with Dee (Tom Blyth), who quickly asserts his dominance. Taylor has good reason to be concerned, as Dee is determined to take over the drug trade within the prison wing, and he’s targeting the territory of the inmates who committed the initial assault.

Taylor is hoping to be released on parole, so staying out of trouble is crucial. However, Dee’s arrival threatens his low profile and puts his chances at risk. If he can stay out of trouble, he might finally be able to reconnect with his son, Blyth, offering a positive outcome from his time in prison, but that possibility is now in danger.

Those Wasteman prisoners….

Dee presents himself as strong and dominant, but is actually deceptive, doing whatever it takes to achieve his goals. He pretends to cooperate with Taylor to reach out to his son, Blyth, for the first time, but this is just a tactic. Ultimately, his help will backfire, jeopardizing his chances of parole and creating a no-win situation. Whatever choice Dee makes, the consequences will be disastrous, potentially even costing him his life.

Acting up…..

The film hinges on powerful performances from its two leads. Jonsson is outstanding as a prisoner who has spent years in the system and is finally glimpsing a chance at freedom, a new life, and a family. It’s devastating to watch his hopes fade because of his selfish cellmate, brilliantly portrayed by Tom Blyth as a cold and calculating sociopath. Their chemistry creates a captivating dynamic on screen.

See it ?

Many British prison films, like ‘Brosnan’, ‘McVicar’, and ‘Hunger’, are based on true stories. ‘Wasteman’, while fictional, feels incredibly realistic in its portrayal of prison life – the rules, the power dynamics, and the ever-present danger of violence. This impressive independent film, a debut from director Cal McMau and writers Hunter Andrews and Eoin Doran, makes ‘Wasteman’ one of the strongest prison dramas in recent years.

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2026-02-18 11:23