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Starred Up

Starred Up

Drama · 2014

19-year-old Eric, arrogant and ultra-violent, is prematurely transferred to the same adult prison facility as his estranged father. As his explosive temper quickly finds him enemies in both prison authorities and fellow inmates — and his already volatile relationship with his father is pushed past breaking point — Eric is approached by a volunteer psychotherapist, who runs an anger management group for prisoners. Torn between gang politics, prison corruption, and a glimmer of something better, Eric finds himself in a fight for his own life, unsure if his own father is there to protect him or join in punishing him.

Movie details

Starred Up

“We're all different on the inside.”

2014 Drama 1h 46m

Critical arithmetic

One number, for now.

TMDB

7.1 / 10

Community rating

19-year-old Eric, arrogant and ultra-violent, is prematurely transferred to the same adult prison facility as his estranged father. As his explosive temper quickly finds him enemies in both prison authorities and fellow inmates — and his already volatile relationship with his father is pushed past breaking point — Eric is approached by a volunteer psychotherapist, who runs an anger management group for prisoners. Torn between gang politics, prison corruption, and a glimmer of something better, Eric finds himself in a fight for his own life, unsure if his own father is there to protect him or join in punishing him.

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 Starred Up?

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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Midnight Express

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Names above the title

The people responsible.

Directed by

David Mackenzie

Written by

Jonathan Asser

Jack O'Connell

Jack O'Connell

Eric Love

Ben Mendelsohn

Ben Mendelsohn

Neville Love

Rupert Friend

Rupert Friend

Oliver Baumer

David Ajala

David Ajala

Tyrone

Peter Ferdinando

Peter Ferdinando

Spencer

Gershwyn Eustache Jnr

Gershwyn Eustache Jnr

Des

Anthony Welsh

Anthony Welsh

Hassan

Court is in session

Put Starred Up on trial.

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

The defence The Prestige Tourist

“Ambition earns the room.”

The film reaches for consequence and scale, accepting the risk of seriousness instead of shrinking from it.

The prosecution The Popcorn Loyalist

“Importance has entered the chat.”

The production keeps announcing its significance, as though awards-season posture were proof of insight.