A gritty, decisively modern prison drama, Wasteman offers a violent and believable look inside that is brought to life by strong performances and the clever use of iPhone footage.

We meet Taylor (David Jonsson), a drug addict man in a prison under pressure who finds out he is eligible for early parole if he keeps his record clean. Keen to lay low to get back out to his teenage son, Taylor’s future is soon jeopardised by the arrival of new cellmate, Dee (Tom Blyth). Whilst affable enough to his cellmate, soon taking him under his wing, Dee, a transfer from another prison, is soon running his same drug business, bringing greater threats of violence and loss of parole into Taylor’s world. The situation escalates as Taylor becomes forcibly entangled in Dee’s business and tries to find a way out.

Director Cal McMau’s prison world is gritty and violent. It appears as a frightening reality, with McMau deploying iPhone footage and vertical video at intervals throughout that push a feeling of authenticity and lend a believability to the whole story. The fascinating crux of the film is the change in power dynamics introduced by the new arrival; dynamics between Taylor and Dee shift and change, and the prison power structures at large are upset as Dee’s business gains steam. Taylor’s anxiety at Dee’s arrival is palpable, ameliorated as he is brought into the fold but still humming underneath and spiking as his position becomes increasingly precarious. 

Jonsson gives a very empathetic performance, pulling the audience in and showing life inside from his perspective. Blyth and the rest of the cast also put in very believable performances, keeping you invested and wary as the different characters cross paths in increasingly volatile fashion. As the stakes rise and Taylor’s hopes are threatened, the film becomes increasingly absorbing, the claustrophobic filmmaking and strong performances really bringing you inside. The film sucks you in by the end, spitting you out after its tense climax.

Despite featuring some worn tropes of the genre, this feels like modern and fresher take on the genre and stands as another showcase of rising British talent.