Wasteman Review: A Brutally Violent British Prison Drama
Rising stars David Jonsson and Tom Blyth bring A-game performances to Wasteman, a brutally violent and gripping British prison movie that has earned a Bafta nomination for outstanding British debut. Screenwriters Hunter Andrews and Eoin Doran, along with director Cal McMau, are feature first-timers who have crafted a film that is as lethal and nasty as a sharpened toothbrush.
Familiar Tropes with a Fresh Punch
While some of the tropes in Wasteman are familiar, the film skillfully sidesteps clichés through committed acting and fierce storytelling. The scene is set in an overcrowded jail, filmed in Shepton Mallet, where the ugly savagery and chaos are periodically viewed through the smartphone screen of someone gleefully recording it. This depiction highlights the kind of prison that has forced the government's policy of early prisoner release to alleviate system pressure.
Compelling Characters and Performances
David Jonsson, known from TV's Industry, portrays Taylor, a shamblingly submissive and timid drug addict who can hardly believe he is due for parole in a fortnight. He is pathetically excited at the prospect of seeing his teenage son. However, as freedom approaches, he is assigned a new cellmate, Dee, played by Tom Blyth.
Dee is a violent, toxically charismatic alpha-dog who aims to take over the prison's drug sales, coordinating a sophisticated drone delivery system. This move sparks glowering resentment from the existing top figures, Paul (Alex Hassell) and Gaz (Corin Silva). Instantly, the parasitical predator Dee makes Taylor his pet and quaveringly scared ally in the forthcoming violent confrontation with Paul and Gaz.
Intense Storytelling and Emotional Depth
With instinctive cunning, Dee exploits Taylor's yearning to see his son, putting him in his debt. Soon, Dee will ask Taylor to do something that could seriously imperil his parole. The performances of Jonsson and Blyth are fierce and overwhelmingly convincing, adding emotional depth to the intense narrative.
Release Details and Critical Acclaim
Wasteman is set for release on 20 February in the UK and 17 April in the US. The film's brutal violence and gripping plot have positioned it as a standout in the prison drama genre, earning critical acclaim and recognition as a Bafta nominee.
