| This is a very impressive prison drama but it is not for the squeamish.
At the centre of everything is Eric Love (Jack O’Connell), a young prisoner so angry and violent he has been transferred to a special adult wing. His attitude is obvious from the opening scenes, and when he enters his cell he immediately manufactures a lethal weapon from a toothbrush and razor blade, concealing it in the strip light.
It’s not long before trouble arrives, confrontation with inmates and warders, as well as having to get to grips with the internal hierarchy. Eric doesn’t look like reforming, even when warder Oliver (Rupert Friend) who runs an anger management group, takes an interest in him.
It gradually emerges that another prisoner Neville (Ben Mendlesohn) is Eric’s dad, and that Neville is one of those near the top of the tree inside. Not only that but the relationship between father and son is clearly at the root of Eric’s anger.
There are signs of improvement but trouble is never far away. Grim, violent, well-acted and believable.
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