Wasteman

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Wasteman

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1h 30m

Crime

Drama

Mystery & Thriller

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100%

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47 Reviews

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Fewer than 50 Ratings

Taylor is branded a "wasteman" by society, his family and in prison. In a world of parties, gangs and violence, he's managed to keep out of trouble. However, with the arrival of chaotic cellmate Dee, the chance to make early parole and get his life back are put in jeopardy.

Critics Consensus

A prison picture with a terrific pair of lead performances by David Jonsson and Tom Blyth, Wasteman is harrowing, superbly acted across the board, and revealing about the incentives for violence in the correctional system.

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Tim Grierson

Los Angeles Times

Apr 27

The movie’s bitterest irony is that, of the two men, it’s ultimately Dee who may be more honorable.

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Matt Zoller Seitz

RogerEbert.com

Apr 17

3.5/4

It's a genre piece with tragic weight.

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Randy Myers

San Jose Mercury News

Apr 15

3/4

Through the jangly use of cellphone cameras capturing violence on the cellblock and a winnowed down running time, “Wasteman” doesn’t waste one second of a film time. It certainly has a surplus of talent in front of and behind the camera.

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Derrick Murray

That Hashtag Show

Apr 30

Wasteman is sometimes suffocating...as explores the strain of an overcrowded prison, but locks you in with its constant sense of dread and looming chaos around every corner. Jonsson and Blyth push the film over the edge of greatness...

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Dionar Hidalgo

Algo Más Que Cine

Apr 26

7/10

A visceral, razor-sharp prison drama. While it hits familiar beats, Wasteman soars on the back of David Jonsson’s soulful resilience and Tom Blyth’s volatile energy. McMau’s debut is a brutal, claustrophobic masterclass in tension and survival.

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Nadine Whitney

AWFJ.org

Apr 23

Wasteman is a brutal and brilliant dissection of the corrections system and the inevitability of violence in a place where no one is interested in rehabilitation. A stunning piece of British cinema.

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Tanya H.

@RT83853232 2d

Really enjoyed this. It had me on the edge of my seat. I both liked, and hated the antagonist

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Haydn S

@RT60408579 3d

Brilliant casting and decent storyline with the added mix of anticipation and a sense of anxiety from the acting leads! Would reccomend highly if you are a fan of prison style films or if you fancy a watch that keeps you hooked with no wasted time!

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Roy J

4d

Decent prison drama. Direction and acting is great, but story is simple.

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Rachel B.

@montbriac 6d

Great acting drives the tension

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Akira B

@akirabergman Apr 27

I always liked a good prison movie. This one has an excellent story and actors to go with it. I think they used real prison characters as support.

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Joanne H

@RT85208661 Apr 26

A gruesome and harrowing film. Great acting. I would highly recommend it.

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Cal McMau

Director

David Jonsson

Taylor

Tom Blyth

Dee

Alex Hassell

Paul

Corin Silva

Gaz

Paul Hilton

Browning

Wasteman: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

Taylor is branded a "wasteman" by society, his family and in prison. In a world of parties, gangs and violence, he's managed to keep out of trouble. However, with the arrival of chaotic cellmate Dee, the chance to make early parole and get his life back are put in jeopardy.

Director: Cal McMau
Producer: Sophia Gibber, Myles Payne
Screenwriter: Hunter Andrews, Eoin Doran, Hunter Andrews, Eoin Doran
Distributor: Vertigo Releasing / Sunrise Films
Production Co: Agile Films
Genre: Crime, Drama, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Apr 17, 2026, Limited
Runtime: 1h 30m