Wasteman dives headfirst into the gritty and chaotic world of prison life but not the kind you’ve seen a thousand times before. This isn’t a tale of macho bravado and endless fights; it’s a human story about vulnerability, broken connections, and the desperate struggle to find redemption behind bars.
David Jonsson is on an unreal run right now and honestly, someone needs to stop him before he steals every role in British cinema. From “the cool Thundercat dude” to playing a robot, and now Taylor, a vulnerable, gritty, deeply flawed man, Jonsson proves he can literally do it all. Let. Him. Cook.
Then there’s Tom Blyth my first real introduction to him and wow. As Dee, he’s magnetic: menacing one minute, charming the next, and always carrying that sinister glint that keeps you guessing. He’s the kind of villain you shouldn’t like… but you do.
Even music artists Ray BLK and RV step into the mix and actually hold their own. There’s no weak link here everyone’s playing at a high level, and it shows.
And that chemistry between Jonsson and Blyth? Unreal. You can tell they’re genuinely mates (rumour has it, same agent), and that off-screen friendship pays off massively. Some of the scenes between them are raw, gritty, and downright uncomfortable but also heartbreakingly authentic.
Director Cal McMau deserves real props for this one. He takes a film that could’ve easily fallen into the “prison violence” trap and instead focuses on the human cost. The cinematography is tight and claustrophobic, pulling you into the same mental space as the inmates.
No glossy filters, no overblown action just a grim, grounded tone that refuses to make prison look like some edgy hangout spot. McMau balances the tension, emotion, and subtle storytelling in a way that makes Wasteman feel raw yet cinematic.
What Wasteman gets right is focus. The violence is there, sure but it’s not the star. The story digs deeper, exploring the mental toll, the vulnerability, and the father-son struggle that defines Taylor’s journey. When he tries to reconnect with his son, you feel every ounce of guilt and hope.
Dee’s charm and twisted sense of support create this electric dynamic between the two men it’s less about survival of the fittest and more about survival of the soul.
The pacing is sharp, the dialogue crackles with authenticity, and the ending? Perfectly open ended letting you decide what happens next. It’s the kind of ending that keeps you thinking long after the credits roll.
I went in expecting another “tough guy behind bars” flick. I left genuinely surprised and impressed. Wasteman is a gripping, character driven story that proves British cinema is still cooking some of the best modern dramas around. Jonsson and Blyth are both names you’ll be hearing a lot more of.
Raw, emotional, and unflinchingly real.
Add Wasteman to your must-watch list.
