Wasteman

Name: Wasteman
Genre: Drama, Thriller, Crime
Released: April 17, 2026
Duration: 90 min
Rating: 76

2026

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 10 Critic Reviews

See All

USER SCORE

No score yet

tbd

VOTE NOW

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

tbd	Your Score
tbd	User Score No score yet

Would you like to write a review?

There is a 75 character minimum for reviews. If your review contains spoilers, please check the Spoiler box. Please do not use ALL CAPS. There is no linking or other HTML allowed. Your review may be edited for content. 0/5000

Check box if your review contains spoilers

Movie Details & Credits

Sunrise Films | Release Date: April 17, 2026 | Not Rated

Summary: Parolee Taylor's fresh start hopes are jeopardized by cellmate Dee's arrival. As Dee takes Taylor under his wing, a vicious attack tests their bond, forcing Taylor to choose between protecting Dee and his own parole chances.

Genre(s): Drama, Thriller, Crime

Rating: Not Rated

Runtime: 90 min

See All Details and Credits

Metascore

Positive:

Mixed:

Negative:

Critic Reviews

RogerEbert.com Matt Zoller Seitz

Apr 17, 2026

Some of the close-quarters beatings and fights are diminished by shooting and editing so chaotically that the action becomes incomprehensible. For the most part, though, it’s a powerful debut by filmmakers who understand human nature and would rather enlighten than provoke. Read full review

Next Best Picture Giovanni Lago

Jan 21, 2026

Wasteman might be one of the bigger surprises this year at the Toronto International Film Festival and certainly one to keep your eyes on. Read full review

Empire John Nugent

Feb 17, 2026

An energetic, urgent and damning assessment of our prison crisis, Wasteman marks Cal McMau as an exciting new homegrown director. Read full review

The Independent Clarisse Loughrey

Feb 19, 2026

Cal McMau’s debut takes the well-worn path of prison dramas, focusing on a violent feud waged between cell block bunkbeds. But there’s enough of a noxious stink in the air – the sense that all the system does is create a microcosm of the state, with even less power to scrap over – that Jonsson has the material he needs to fully mesmerise. Read full review

Screen Rant Lewis Glazebrook

Apr 16, 2026

For a film that clocks in at around only 90 minutes and doesn't tackle any one subject outright, Wasteman effortlessly makes you think about many issues. Read full review

Tim Grierson

Apr 27, 2026

Thanks to the latest impressive turn from rising star David Jonsson, “Wasteman” even finds a few new notes to play within a familiar stark melody. Read full review

IndieWire Christian Zilko

Jan 21, 2026

Amid all the barbarity for barbarity’s sake, Jonsson carries the film with a deep well of unspoken regret. Read full review

SEE ALL 10 REVIEWS

User Score

Write a Review

tbd

Positive:

Mixed:

Negative:

No reviews yet.