Inside: This Gritty New Prison Film Asks, Can Incarcerated People Really Reform?

Audiences may be divided by this latest Australian movie directed by Charles Williams which is set inside a high security prison.

Those who expect high voltage over the top ongoing dramas as depicted in TV series — like the Aussie-produced Wentworth — will be disappointed, but discerning audiences who expect a well written and realistically acted slow burning drama will exit the cinema applauding the film’s excellence.

Guy Pearce who has been nominated for Best Supporting Actor at this year’s Oscars for The Brutalist, plays the role of Warren Murfett, a prisoner who is on day release and on the verge of being paroled, excited to spend precious time with his adult son on the outside.

Meanwhile, a young prisoner named Mel Blight (Vincent Miller) who has been locked up since the age of 12, is transferred to this prison and a seemingly paternal triangle is established as he’s taken under the wing of both Warren and a most vulgar and highly detested criminal named Mark Shepard (Cosmo Jarvis).

When there’s a contract on the life of Mark Shephard, Mel Blight is compelled to commit the murder, else his and Warren’s lives may both be endangered.

Will the contract be fulfilled and as a result, will Warren’s chance of parole be compromised?

Raw and gritty, tension builds slowly in this jailhouse drama which also gives an insight into prison culture. One of the themes explored is whether it’s possible for prisoners to change while incarcerated – do they pay their debt to society, find God and then release into the general community as reformed law-abiding citizens? Do the evilest of men have at least a minute level of goodness inside?

“Parole is about making better neighbours than prisoners,” a parole officer states which is another theme that resonates highly.

Interest is maintained throughout, mainly because of Guy Pearce’s participation but that’s not to say that the other actors don’t deliver high quality performances. The storyline is intriguing even though momentum builds slowly, but ultimately audiences should be overwhelmed by the authenticity of the narrative.

Vulgar verbal sexual references and a couple of scenes incorporating violence and bloodshed may be off-putting for the more sensitive of audiences.

Inside is not pleasant viewing and definitely not a film for everybody. Some audiences may find it exhausting viewing and hard to sit through. Sometimes the enjoyment level of a movie may be dependent on the frame of mind upon entering the cinema and some movies may suffer as a result– this is a prime example.

***1/2

Inside is in cinemas from February 27