Wasteman finds long-term inmate Taylor surrounded in a world where it’s man-eat-man yet he’s given the chance to get out. At the same time, he gets a new bunkmate Dee (Tom Blyth), a wild and hungry man looking to gain power inside. Bonded by the perils of prison and its restrictive nature, the two have their roommate situation pushed to the brink as the drug trade inside the place runs rampant and Taylor struggles to combat his own vices.
The film has an intriguing screenplay with multiple interesting problems for Taylor, keeping us invested in his movement at every point. We know that, every time he steps into the room with an inmate, he may insult them or do something wrong in a way that could have violent consequences. This tension is played out super well and the acting from David Jonsson is excellent. Jonsson continues to establish himself as one of our future superstars and finest British thespians, as the nuance in his performance brings complexities to his own issues and the aggression he needs to wield in order to survive prison. The engaging score is used in an intelligent way. The music is not overused and is featured in impactful moments.
The film does an excellent job telling a compelling story while showcasing the brutal realities of prison life and the lack in British prison reform. Social media is also used to show the viewer what has happened in the prison. Tom Blyth is also excellent. He goes toe to toe with Jonnson in acting and screen prescience, creating two equally compelling characters that demand your attention. There are some inconsistencies in the screenplay, but it leads up to a really interesting finale, and the turns in this film are quite effective. In the end, it is a very well done film.
Wasteman is playing at TIFF ’25. For more information, click here.
