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Wasteman

Play trailer 1:57 Poster for Wasteman Apr 2026 1h 30m Crime Drama Mystery & Thriller Play Trailer Watchlist
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100% Tomatometer 53 Reviews 85% Popcornmeter 100+ 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.
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Wasteman

Wasteman

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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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Critics Reviews

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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. Go to Full Review
Matt Zoller Seitz RogerEbert.com Apr 17
3.5/4
It's a genre piece with tragic weight. Go to Full Review
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. Go to Full Review
Luis Martínez El Mundo (Spain) Jul 17
4/5
Cal McMau makes his debut with a feverish exercise in prison cinema that is as ruthless as it is starkly human. [Full review in Spanish] Go to Full Review
Nando Salvá Cinemanía (Spain) Jul 16
4/5
It lasts only an hour and a half, and thanks to all of this, it doesn't need any more to accumulate a true tragic magnitude. [Full review in Spanish] Go to Full Review
Fran Chico Fotogramas Jul 13
4/5
There's an electric tension between [Tom Blyth and David Jonsson], a mixture of fragility and arrogance, of fear and defiance, that sustains the entire story, transcending its mafia-movie aesthetic. [Full review in Spanish] Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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TheMovieSearch R @TheMovieSearch 2d Wasteman is a movie I genuinely wanted to enjoy, especially because I was interested in seeing the actor who is set to become the new Black Panther. Unfortunately, I struggled to stay invested. The biggest problem was the screenplay. It felt extremely drawn out and overloaded with dialogue, while the constant back-and-forth made the story difficult to follow. Instead of creating momentum, the film seemed to wander without a clear direction. I kept waiting for the story to connect, but it never really happened. The acting also felt underwhelming. I didn’t find many performances convincing enough to pull me into the story, and I was especially disappointed by the actor playing the future Black Panther. It’s difficult to tell whether his performance was limited by his acting ability or by a screenplay that gave him very little to work with. Ultimately, Wasteman felt like a missed opportunity. I wanted to connect with it, but the writing, pacing, and performances made that difficult. See more Ashequl I @Tofa13 4d Wasteman (2026) is a sharp, gritty prison thriller that offers a compelling subversion of traditional prison-bond stories. Rather than relying on uplifting themes of hope, the film dives into a dark, volatile dynamic between cellmates navigating an oppressive system. The screenplay moves at a rapid pace, maintaining constant tension and atmospheric dread throughout its running time. David Jonsson and Tom Blyth turn in raw, captivating performances that keep the viewer hooked. While a slightly longer runtime could have allowed for deeper character development, the movie's tight editing and unique premise ensure it never feels boring. A solid, thought-provoking watch for fans of dark drama. See more Evan H @RT04420057 6d Simple, raw, gripping. Really pulls you in, you feel you're in there with them. It has a sort of Requim-for-a-dream-esque feeling of cautionary dread, a glimmer of hope. Acting was great across the board. Cinematography was awesome See more Cathrine A @CanadianCat Aug 10 It’s OK, but the thing that really made it almost unbearable to watch is the character Taylor. He’s so pathetic and weak and I don’t really think his acting is so great because he forces that pathetic face ….this sad sack face all the time…. so the movie is OK. Rest of the acting is really good but the weak acting of character Taylor trying to look as homely as he can just doesn’t cut it for me. There was a lot of hoopla about this movie. It was more hyped up than I think it deserved. See more Randy R @RT78944095 Aug 7 Solid acting by both lead actors, Jonsson and Blyth. Support actors good too. Well directed. Realistic prison life. Strong portrayal of protagonist's anxiety about surviving the madness in his situation long enough to get his early release. Sharply handled ending. I'd watch it again. See more Rachel C @RT78003317 Aug 2 I felt it was predictable most of the way through however the twist in the ending was the best part. Glad I only paid £1.99 on amazon prime. Wouldn't bother reccomed this to anyone if im honest. If you want a gripping thriller steer clear of this film. See more Read all reviews
Wasteman

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Movie Info

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
Release Date (Streaming)
May 19, 2026
Runtime
1h 30m
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