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Wasteman

Wasteman

Crime · Drama · Thriller · 2026

Taylor's hopes for a fresh start post-parole are jeopardised 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 chances at freedom.

Movie details

Wasteman

“A bold new vision of life inside.”

2026 Crime · Drama · Thriller 1h 31m

Critical arithmetic

One number, for now.

TMDB

7.3 / 10

Community rating

Taylor's hopes for a fresh start post-parole are jeopardised 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 chances at freedom.

CriticWise case file

What this film says about your taste.

Not a recommendation score. A measure of how closely the film’s taste signals resemble yours.

The archetype split

Who fights over Wasteman?

The split comes from the same five-axis model used by the test, not audience ratings or review sentiment.

Taste neighbourhood

Nearby on the taste map.

TMDB supplies the candidates. CriticWise reorders them by craft, strangeness, prestige, emotion, and pace.

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Names above the title

The people responsible.

Directed by

Cal McMau

Written by

Eoin Doran · Hunter Andrews

David Jonsson

David Jonsson

Taylor

Tom Blyth

Tom Blyth

Dee

Alex Hassell

Alex Hassell

Paul

Neil Linpow

Neil Linpow

Robby

Paul Hilton

Paul Hilton

Browning

Corin Silva

Corin Silva

Gaz

Layton Blake

Layton Blake

Maxi

Court is in session

Put Wasteman on trial.

Two incompatible taste archetypes. One film. Read the arguments, then issue a completely binding cultural ruling.

The defence The Big-Idea Head

“Form is the argument.”

Every composed frame and deliberate cut is evidence that control can be thrilling in its own right.

The prosecution The Popcorn Loyalist

“Technique in search of a pulse.”

Immaculate construction is still construction. The film may be too busy proving its craft to feel alive.