An emotionally driven film. The storyline is unpredictable, but it left a lot of important questions open. That is why gave it only 7 star. There is a lot of violence in the movie, but it takes place in a prison environment so I do would rather label it "drama" than an action movie.

Whoa! Not just a movie, but a powerhouse punch of an experience, right from beginning to end. Going in without knowing anything helps, for sure. In any case, here's the trailer - https://youtu.be/zE4ziBfu0JA1-liner headline: this is about a YO (look it up) in the British prison system, who's just become an inmate in a prison where, along with there being opportunities to rehabilitate (which may, or may not be what he has in mind), there's also opportunity for a different kind of a reckoning, or reconciliation, depending on one's perspective. Nothing short of visceral, director David Mackenzie ('Asylum', 'Young Adam', 'Perfect Sense', the upcoming 'Hell or High water') owns every line, and every frame of the fantastic screenplay, making this one of the best, and the grittiest prison thriller-drama ever committed to celluloid (in exalted company - Un Prophet, Papillon, Escape from Alcatraz, Shawshank redemption, The Escapist....). Jack O'Connell seems to be the go-to guy for prison movies, since he did Angelina Jolie's 'unbroken' after this one, but this one packs one hell of a punch, imho, more than that, on various levels, not the least is his characterization and corresponding performance. He was also fantastic in the unnecessarily deridden 'Money Monster', and I'm looking forward to his turn in the upcoming 'HHhH' (the other movie this year about 'Operation: Anthropoid'), 'Tulip Fever' and 'Home'. Have also heard great things about '71, and look forward to that one as well. Ben Mendelsohn. Ever since his super-creepy turn in the Ozzie 'Animal Kingdom', this guy has owned every frame of any movie he;s been in. Sample this - 'Killing them softly', 'The place beyond the pines', 'Black Sea', 'Mississippi Grind' and even in bit roles like the one he did in 'The dark knight returns'. He takes one of the most powerful roles he's been in, and makes us forget he's Ben the actor, and the reaction to what he does, and what he undergoes, is nothing short of visceral. Rupert Friend, 'Quinn' from the US version of 'Homeland', has a very powerful, if short, role, and acquits himself perfectly. The acting's pretty great all-around (Sam Spruell, David Ajala, Anthony Welsh, Raphael Sowole etc.), and the group therapy sequences are perhaps my pick for some of the most explosive (think, powder- keg) situations ever brought to life on film, with one not knowing how each sequence/scenario will turn out. Every little thing every little character says, and does, has consequences, and leaves and definitely visible impact, even within the confines of the plot and its screenplay. One of the best examples of such action-consequence pairs that I have seen on screen. Clocking at (around) one and half hours in all, there is not a little bit of fat to be found in this, and all department complement the narrative perfectly, even the sparse (bg) score on hand. The camera-work has to be singled out, since the combination of steadicams and continuously-flowing shots makes us a part of the action, and is perhaps on-par, or better, than what Paul (Bloody Sunday'/'Bourne' Greengrass has ever done. Simply amazing work (Michael McDonough - Winter's bone, Lay the favorite, 13, Quarantine, Fear the walking dead....)!My only complaint? I wanted more group therapy session sequences. That's it. And yes, more 'bruv' interactions like the one in the gym, or a couple of other face-face interactions among key characters, that showcases both menace, as well as a surprising kind of tenderness. But this one's lean, and mean. I'd watch this one again and again, given the opportunity, and only regret that I could not enjoy this on the big screen. Thanks to the local UK British council, that I could watch this one at all!***Fair warning: Not for the squeamish, not for the prude***

***spoiler**This movie proves that Jack O'Connell is a rising star that is going to go super nova with the right role at any minute. As a new fan of his I've started watching his films and each get better and better. From beginning to end this movie was hard to watch yet hard to take your eyes away from the screen. You are drawn to Eric Love (O'Connell) from the very beginning. From understanding a 19 year old sent to an adult prison 2 years earlier than normal you know he's going to be up against the bad and the worst of humanity. Then to find out his father is in the same cell block adds another layer of intrigue and worry. He portrays "crazy" to survive but you wonder if he just might be a bit crazy. With a good taste of the movie Bronson staring Tom Hardy, I can see where this star is going. I wish more of his movies were on this side of the pond. This movie is a fast paced, action packed emotional ride. Hold on tight and fall in love with Jack O'Connell.

I always voted for UK film productions, and this is one tiny example of the many that are out there.Starred up is a wicked movie that explores the prison system of the United Kingdom.By the time you're done watching the movie you can certainly spot out differences between American and UK prison systems; especially if you had studied them in full depth (in sociological matters to be precise).Overall, the acting from all characters was remarkable and I really got a sense of being in a UK prison just by watching the movie.The directing of the film is extraordinary; a jolly good job to them Britannic artists.