A Prayer Before Dawn

Name: A Prayer Before Dawn
Genre: Action, Biography, Drama, Sport, Crime
Released: August 10, 2018
Duration: 116 min
Rating: 76
Cast: Billy Moore, Chaloemporn Sawatsuk, Joe Cole, Komsan Polsan, Nicolas Shake

2018

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 17 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 34 Ratings

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7.0

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7.0	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 34 Ratings

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A Prayer Before Dawn

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Movie Details & Credits

A24 | Release Date: August 10, 2018 | R

Starring: Billy Moore, Chaloemporn Sawatsuk, Joe Cole, Komsan Polsan, Nicolas Shake, Panya Yimmumphai, Pornchanok Mabklang, Sakda Niamhom, Somlock Kamsing, Sura Sirmalai, Vithaya Pansringarm

Summary: A Prayer Before Dawn is the remarkable true story of Billy Moore, a young English boxer incarcerated in two of Thailand’s most notorious prisons. He is quickly thrown into a terrifying world of drugs and gang violence, but when the prison authorities allow him to take part in the Muay Thai boxing tournaments, he realizes this might be hisA Prayer Before Dawn is the remarkable true story of Billy Moore, a young English boxer incarcerated in two of Thailand’s most notorious prisons. He is quickly thrown into a terrifying world of drugs and gang violence, but when the prison authorities allow him to take part in the Muay Thai boxing tournaments, he realizes this might be his chance to get out. Billy embarks on a relentless, action-packed journey from one savage fight to the next, stopping at nothing to do whatever he must to preserve his life and regain his freedom. Shot in a an actual Thai prison with a cast of primarily real inmates, A Prayer Before Dawn is a visceral, thrilling journey through an unforgettable hell on earth. … Expand

Director: Jean-Stéphane Sauvaire

Genre(s): Action, Biography, Drama, Sport, Crime

Rating: R

Runtime: 116 min

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Critic Reviews

100

Empire Andrew Lowry

Jul 23, 2018

For all the flying fists and the hero’s nightmarish predicament, the notions of redemption examined here are plenty deep. Add that to the bone-crunchingly effective technique and flawless lead performance, and you have yourself something very rare: a testosterone-driven narrative that’s about nurturing, rather than destruction. And one that achieves a bleeding-knuckled profundity. Read full review

Gary Goldstein

Aug 9, 2018

It’s a haunting and masterful effort, but be warned: This is tough stuff. Read full review

Chuck Wilson

Aug 9, 2018

A Prayer Before Dawn feels scarily authentic, and may be too much for some. But there are moments of grace amid the setting’s despair. Read full review

RogerEbert.com Glenn Kenny

Aug 10, 2018

This movie is a remarkable feat that requires a strong stomach to sit through. I was unaware, prior to seeing it, that it’s based on a true story, and the movie’s coda was that much more powerful for me as a result. Read full review

Gary M. Kramer

Aug 9, 2018

Credit director Jean-Stéphane Sauvaire and Cole for an impressive achievement that takes viewers on an intense journey. Read full review

IndieWire Ben Croll

Jean-Stephane Sauvaire’s film is not so much the story of a fighter as it is a story that wants to fight you. Read full review

Mike D'Angelo

Aug 8, 2018

Director Jean-Stéphane Sauvaire (Johnny Mad Dog) makes some audacious, impressionistic choices, focusing on the nexus of sensual and brutal, but this is the rare true story that really could have used some creative embellishment. Read full review

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User Reviews

Alvaropio_

Jan 13, 2023

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Filme show ,mostrou muita representou como é os presídios na Tailândia e representou o Muay Thai… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

katezoe

Nov 25, 2022

Odd and fascinating film. The minimal translation adds to the dislocation of everything happening in story.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

justwibi

Oct 13, 2018

that was really really brilliant! Very brutal but honest! Joe Cole performance was really really natural and powerfull!

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

WhiskeyStories

Dec 1, 2018

A Prayer Before Dawn is a harrowing yet beautiful fierce tale of addiction. Neither the description nor the trailer do it justice. While the premise is rather simple and almost cliché, its execution is what's truly exceptional. Sauvaire succeeds at creating a personal film with a naturalA Prayer Before Dawn is a harrowing yet beautiful fierce tale of addiction. Neither the description nor the trailer do it justice. While the premise is rather simple and almost cliché, its execution is what's truly exceptional. Sauvaire succeeds at creating a personal film with a natural flow, which paired with the extremely authentic production results in one of the most immersive experiences of the year.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

TheQuietGamer

Nov 25, 2018

My one complaint with the movie is that it's not an entirely accurate depiction of Billy Moore's time in the Thailand prison system. It stays true to the essence of his accounts, but there are events here that are totally fictionalized. I get that this is a common occurrence in film, butMy one complaint with the movie is that it's not an entirely accurate depiction of Billy Moore's time in the Thailand prison system. It stays true to the essence of his accounts, but there are events here that are totally fictionalized. I get that this is a common occurrence in film, but given that this is marketed as the "true story" I would have preferred if it was actually, well, the true story.

This depiction of Moore's journey is still powerful though. We witness a man at his lowest point. Incarcerated in a place where he doesn't even speak the language, scrounging for heroin to feed his addiction, and witnessing horrible acts on a daily basis. The film pulls no punches when it comes to its portrayal of prison life. Every shot feels disgusting and dangerous.

It's through the prison's boxing team that Moore begins to find a place among his fellow inmates and chance at redemption. Giving the movie an uplifting quality amongst all the filth. That doesn't mean things ever get soft though. The blows traded onscreen are real. Actor Joe Cole trained extensively for the role to ensure that he could believably hold his own in the ring.

The authenticity doesn't end there. Every inmate in the film was a former prisoner at some point. Many of whom can't speak English. The movie does a great job of letting viewers experience the same language barrier troubles as Moore did. Much of the dialog goes untranslated. So when the attacks start happening we get a small taste of the same anxiety and confusion as to why.

Joe Cole's raw performance is a sight to behold. He embodies all the rage, guilt, and pain of his subject with such soul. Effectively making this story of finding humanity and hope in the worst of situations and places all the more compelling. It may not be 100% accurate, but Moore's story is made no less incredible because of it.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

JLuis_001

Nov 24, 2018

It's a harrowing, crude and visceral prison film. It's not an easy film to watch.
I think it's a good film but you need patience to watch it because the narrative rhythm is very, very slow. And it's also a bit underwhelming because it pretty much goes on and on with the harsh situations toIt's a harrowing, crude and visceral prison film. It's not an easy film to watch.
I think it's a good film but you need patience to watch it because the narrative rhythm is very, very slow. And it's also a bit underwhelming because it pretty much goes on and on with the harsh situations to extend the dramatic momentum and it becomes a little bit exhausting at one point but still it's a good option, especially for the great performance by Joe Cole, which is definitely the best role of his career so far and that's pretty much it.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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