This new film from Britain, drawing inspiration from a factual account, unfolds entirely within the confines of a prison, offering a look at what life is like inside. A young offender with a history of violence, Eric, transitions into adult incarceration and encounters other inmates. His resilience is challenged by those significantly older and more experienced than he is. The movie follows his journey as he confronts some of the country's most dangerous criminals in a struggle to stay alive. He’s compelled to participate in therapy sessions arranged by his father, who is also an inmate, portraying the typical parental role of shielding his son. It avoids becoming overly sentimental and instead adopts a purposefully harsh tone, showing a willingness to do whatever it takes for protection. "Starred up means you are leader." The film showcases clever methods used by prisoners to conceal weapons and other items that could be essential for self-defense. Rather than adhering to a strict narrative structure, the movie replicates the routine activities and hardships of prison life as they genuinely occur. While not necessarily the greatest prison story ever made, its impact is considerable, clearly influenced by someone’s actual experiences. Jack O'Connell delivers an exceptional performance in his role; he seems to be enjoying himself, and I am looking forward to seeing him in 'Unbroken'. The supporting actors also provide strong performances, although their characters are not as central to the story. Having not seen many prison films lately, this one surprisingly exceeded my expectations. 7.5/10

Source on TMDB