Starred Up
Tribeca Film | Release Date: August 27, 2014
8.1
USER SCORE
Universal acclaim based on 96 Ratings
USER RATING DISTRIBUTION
Positive:
88
Mixed:
6
Negative:
2
Watch Now
Buy on
Stream On
Stream On
Stream On
Stream On
Stream On
Expand
Review this movie
VOTE NOW
 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Check box if your review contains spoilers 0 characters (5000 max)

User Reviews

User scoreBy dateMost helpful
10
ugisupriatnaAug 27, 2014
Smart script, powerful story from start to finish, realistic style and terrific performance from Jack O'Connell, MacKenzie successfully makes "Starred Up" hitting your feeling and your mind as hard as the prison life always be. It's easilySmart script, powerful story from start to finish, realistic style and terrific performance from Jack O'Connell, MacKenzie successfully makes "Starred Up" hitting your feeling and your mind as hard as the prison life always be. It's easily one of the best prison drama film I ever seen.… Expand
2 of 3 users found this helpful21
All this user's reviews
6
YorkManFeb 13, 2016
Decent enough British prison drama that falls short of greatness. Tightly scripted, well acted and well directed, it suffers from a real lack of emotional depth.
The main character, although going an emotional change in himself as the filmDecent enough British prison drama that falls short of greatness. Tightly scripted, well acted and well directed, it suffers from a real lack of emotional depth.
The main character, although going an emotional change in himself as the film progresses, doesn't engage the audience enough to make them care for him. He's just a really nasty bastard, and ultimately ends up in an 'adult' prison because he's aggressive and violent. The film tries to pitch the idea of a group therapy session allowing him to open up and connect with fellow inmates within that group... But the film makes no effort to explain why only those particular inmates make it into this 'anger management' therapy session, when it seems everyone in the prison suffers from extreme violent tendencies!
All in all, it's worth watching if you enjoy your films violent, excessively profane, and don't expect too much development through a cohesive narrative and compelling characterisation.… Expand
1 of 2 users found this helpful11
All this user's reviews
7
lasttimeisawJul 4, 2015
A UK prison drama directed by David Mackenzie (YOUNG ADAM 2003, 7/10 and ASYLUM 2005, 6/10), which has instantly leapfrogged Jack O’ Connell to the most promising young actor echelon, who would win BAFTA Rising Star Award later for AngelinaA UK prison drama directed by David Mackenzie (YOUNG ADAM 2003, 7/10 and ASYLUM 2005, 6/10), which has instantly leapfrogged Jack O’ Connell to the most promising young actor echelon, who would win BAFTA Rising Star Award later for Angelina Jolie’s UNBROKEN (2014), if his demonic performance in James Watkins’ EDEN LAKE (2008, 8/10) has evaded you, you should definitely give it a try!

keep reading my review on my blog, please google: cinema omnivore, thanks!… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
7
beingryanjudeJan 22, 2015
A gruesome look at a broken father and son in a corrupt Irish prison. Starred Up features two killer performances from a powerful Jack O'Connell and a brutal Ben Mendelsohn.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
8
SpangleMay 7, 2016
Starred Up is a truly refreshing breath of fresh air into the prison subgenre. Often, these films can feel quite repetitive. Yet, here, it is a truly unique offering that may touch on similar notes as past prison films, but has a lot ofStarred Up is a truly refreshing breath of fresh air into the prison subgenre. Often, these films can feel quite repetitive. Yet, here, it is a truly unique offering that may touch on similar notes as past prison films, but has a lot of worthy topics to bring to the table. Jack O'Connell is honestly mesmerizing here as he commands the screen and struggles with the world around him due to his damaged past. O'Connell's brilliance and passion are matched perfectly by Ben Mendelsohn in a truly aggressive, yet truly gentle father role. Rupert Friend and the rest of the cast also do quite well here in this film from director David Mackenzie. Thanks to the good writing and solid direction from Mackenzie, O'Connell's performance is allowed to take center stage and really tell the story at times. This film is packed to the absolute brim with emotion from its actors and its stories and it truly makes good on all of the emotional drama it presents. Overall, Starred Up is a fantastic character study that really makes you feel as though you are in prison with the characters.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
8
Compi24Jul 15, 2019
I'll be honest. I wasn't entirely thrilled with the majority of this movie as I was watching it. Sure, the acting was incredibly convincing and the camerawork was laudable at times, but there was just something about the narrative andI'll be honest. I wasn't entirely thrilled with the majority of this movie as I was watching it. Sure, the acting was incredibly convincing and the camerawork was laudable at times, but there was just something about the narrative and characters in play -- I couldn't exactly place what this movie was trying to do or say. But sometimes you just have to hear a movie out. Because, in a manner similar to Jeff Nichols's "Mud," it's within the final ten or fifteen minutes of "Starred Up" that things really start to fall into place. Plot elements which once seemed directionless finally incorporate themselves in a massive way. Character dynamics that you felt left too much to be desired end up firing on all cylinders. And all of the thematic meaning and weight you felt the rest of the movie lacked ends up revealing its beautiful self. It's really quite the film. Viewer warning, though; if you're not attuned to the regional dialects in play, you might have to watch this one with subtitles. I know I ended up having to do so.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
9
foxgroveAug 27, 2014
This is a surprisingly powerful prison drama that manages to rise above the generally expected level for this type of genre film. Due to an excellent screenplay which balances grit with humour it is gripping from beginning to end. RelativeThis is a surprisingly powerful prison drama that manages to rise above the generally expected level for this type of genre film. Due to an excellent screenplay which balances grit with humour it is gripping from beginning to end. Relative newcomer Jack O'Connell in a star making performance (Angelina Jolie obviously took note) holds centre stage with ease as the junior offender who is 'Starred Up' and finds himself transferred to an adult prison where he is unwittingly re-united with his dad. As the estranged and neglectful father Ben Mendelsohn demonstrates, yet again, what a great character actor he is (He all but stole 'Killing me Softly'). The film is very intense and one scene of violence is so shocking that it had me literally holding my breath!
Technically I found the sound to be inaudible at times which, unfortunately, causes some of the humour to be lost. Never the less this is first rate stuff demonstrating cinema at its provocative best.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
8
LeZeeSep 22, 2014
The latest British prison movie, which was partially based on the true story. The whole movie was shot inside a prison evolving into depicting the prison life. When a young, but a violent crime offender, Eric been transformed into an adultThe latest British prison movie, which was partially based on the true story. The whole movie was shot inside a prison evolving into depicting the prison life. When a young, but a violent crime offender, Eric been transformed into an adult penitentiary, he meets his compeer. His strength will be tested against his counterparts who are two times older than him. The young fellow all prepared to face the most dangerous criminals from the country. Thus his restless days begin to fight for survival. He signs for therapy meet which is forced by his father who is also an inmate. Like all the father, the story describes his role as a protector. Definitely not a melodrama, but deliberately aggressive and he can do anything to defend his son.

‘‘Starred up means you are leader.’’

Impressive tricks by the felons who hide their weapons and other stuffs which can be useful for their defense. There is no exact story, scene by scene, it just replicates the real prison's daily activities and experiences that one can go through. It is not a greatest prison story ever told, but the contents were so powerful, like, as I said it was kind of inspired by a real person's. Jack O'Connell was unbelievably good in his role. He's having a wonderful time right now and I am eager for his next venture 'Unbroken'. The other characters were not that exposed as he was, but given equal good performances. I have not seen any prison related movie recently and this movie surprisingly met above my expectation.

7.5/10… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
8
RiotSlothAug 30, 2014
A film well worth watching as long as you're not feeling a bit vulnerable or depressed! Very accurate reflection of life in Britain's crumbling prison system, and the two main characters are both superbly acted.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
9
FleshWorldSep 7, 2014
It's an outstanding movie and the conversation starts and finishes with the brilliant cast. Both father and son are incredibly good. It almost feels like we're watching an entire season of Oz and one nice two hour chunk. This one isIt's an outstanding movie and the conversation starts and finishes with the brilliant cast. Both father and son are incredibly good. It almost feels like we're watching an entire season of Oz and one nice two hour chunk. This one is absolutely worth seeing on the big screen if it's playing in your neck of the woods.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
8
merrrillmanAug 30, 2014
Jack O'Conmnell steals the show in this prison drama. Although hard to understand the accents at times, this movie held my interest and was realistic.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
8
inaneswineNov 14, 2017
Starred Up really succeeds where most gritty British crime dramas of its kind don't, by truly fleshing out each of its characters. O'Connell's powerful performance shows us that Eric is more than a stereotypical violent psychopath - he's aStarred Up really succeeds where most gritty British crime dramas of its kind don't, by truly fleshing out each of its characters. O'Connell's powerful performance shows us that Eric is more than a stereotypical violent psychopath - he's a human being too.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
10
klea0721Jan 24, 2015
I have not been to prison except to visit a loved one moved from a juvenile facility temporarily to an adult facility long ago. Perhaps that is partially why I was so moved by this powerful film. Not for kids or the faint of heart.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
8
MattBrady99Mar 13, 2015
Prison is tough but Starred Up shows us how tough and brutal prison really is and why you shouldn't go there, I mean why would you?

The story is about a troubled and explosively violent teenager is transferred to adult prison where hePrison is tough but Starred Up shows us how tough and brutal prison really is and why you shouldn't go there, I mean why would you?

The story is about a troubled and explosively violent teenager is transferred to adult prison where he finally meets his match - a man who also happens to be his father.

I sawed Starred Up about two months ago now and more I think about it and analyzed the movie deep into it's bone to get my thoughts together. Because I didn't know what to think of it at the first time watch. There was no good or bad came to my head first time seeing it so this is why pretty much I waited months to think through, because I not going to review this film and not know what to say. But now I can safely and happily say that this movie is a shot by shot real like look at prison, and Starred Up got it right and this is a good movie.

Jack O'Connell so far in his career has won me over has a actor himself from his excellent performance in the Angelina Jolie film Unbroken. In this he delivered such a hard hitting performance that worked so extremely well with his character in the film. You can see the boiling violence in his character has it quickly starts to build up and it doesn't really take long for him to snap and go full psycho on people, and Jack O'Connell put so much into his performance for now I respect has a full movie actor.

The movie is directed really good as well, keeping your interest till the end of the film.

For issues I have some: The supporting character in the film are great, but they was a couple of weak spots with the other character's not being interesting at all and not really doing anything with the story.

Is this film re-watchable? no not really. It's one of those films that you think to yourself "Wow that was pretty damn good, but I never want to watch it again", yeah it's those kind of films. You may disagree with me and you may have watched the movie a couple of times now, but for me it's not very re-watchable. If you disagree with me on that then that's fine, it really is.

Overall Starred Up is a gritty, hash, tough movie with great acting and a good story about father and son in prison. That may sound not good at all with the father and son thing in prison, but watch the film and judge for yourself.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
More From This Movie

81 Critic Reviews

8.1 User Reviews

Details & Credits|Trailers

Current Movie Releases
By MetascoreBy User Score
1 81 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple
2 77 Project Hail Mary
3 75 Send Help
4 73 Hoppers
5 72 The Sheep Detectives
SEE ALL
Essential Links
New on Amazon Prime Video
New on Netflix
Coming Soon to DVD/Blu-ray
SEE ALL