Prison drama Wasteman, directed by Cal McMau, has scored a perfect 100% on the movie-rating site Rotten Tomatoes and is now streaming on Netflix. The film has been described by reviewers as “one of the best prison dramas in years” and “without a wasted second”.
A tight runtime and a tense setup
With a tight hour and a half runtime, the film is increasingly rare in the current climate of three-hour-long movies. It follows Taylor, played by Industry’s star David Jonsson. Taylor is a pathetically submissive drug addict who learns he is just weeks from being paroled from his 13-year prison sentence - if he can keep himself out of trouble.
Trouble finds Taylor, though, in the form of a hypermasculine, threatening new cellmate Dee (Tom Blyth), who intends to run the prison’s drug trade at any cost.
A claustrophobic and immersive experience
This prison drama is intensely claustrophobic. The action plays out through traditional cinematography, intercut with gleeful cellphone footage shot by those inside the prison. The wardens are understaffed, outmanned and outgunned, and every second of the film feels intensely stressful.
You might think you see what’s coming - in fact, it feels unbelievably predictable - but what really transpires is a twist that one reviewer never anticipated. In a world of films where runtimes are becoming increasingly bloated, the skill it takes to condense such an intense storyline into a tight hour and a half is appreciated. There is so much happening in this story, but it never feels divorced from reality.
Reviewer praise and streaming details
One reviewer on Rotten Tomatoes described it as “an intense, violent and utterly gripping ride from the off. The use of phone footage was inspired and made the viewing experience feel all the more immersive and real. It contrasted brilliantly with the beautifully shot widescreen footage to create something that felt fresh and original.”
Another said: “Visceral film with fantastic performances from both leads and slick direction. Well worth it, and what an ending!!”
Wasteman is streaming now on Netflix.
