Let’s Go to Prison Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A career criminal sends a judge’s son to prison and then joins him only to discover that love (and toilet wine) conquers all, turning a revenge plot into a bizarre buddy comedy.

🍿 Let’s Go to Prison: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Lyshitski’s Revenge Plan

John Lyshitski, a career criminal, seeks revenge on Judge Nelson Biederman III, who consistently sentenced him to prison. However, the judge dies before Lyshitski can enact his plan. He then sets his sights on the judge’s privileged son, Nelson Biederman IV.

Framing Nelson

Lyshitski orchestrates a series of events that lead to Nelson’s arrest and conviction on a robbery charge. Disgusted by his behavior, even Nelson’s family foundation refuses to help him, leading to his incarceration. John, still seeking to torment Nelson, decides to join him in prison.

Life Behind Bars

Lyshitski gets himself arrested and becomes Nelson’s cellmate. He intends to make Nelson’s life a living hell, but things don’t go as planned. Nelson unexpectedly finds love with a fellow inmate, Barry, a powerful gang leader. As Nelson adapts and even thrives, Lyshitski’s plans begin to unravel.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• John Lyshitski (Dax Shepard): A career criminal who deliberately gets incarcerated to exact revenge on the son of the judge he blames for his misfortunes.
• Nelson Biederman IV (Will Arnett): The privileged and initially naive son of a judge who is framed and sent to prison, where he undergoes a significant transformation.
• Barry (Chi McBride): A powerful and eloquent inmate who becomes romantically involved with Nelson, influencing his survival and growth in prison.
• Warden (Dylan Baker): The corrupt and cynical warden of the prison, who oversees the chaotic events within its walls.
• Shanahan (David Koechner): A prison guard with a gambling problem, involved in the corruption and bizarre events within the prison.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Warden: “Take all your complaints, write them on a piece of paper, fold it neatly, and stick it up your ass!” – The Warden’s welcoming speech, setting the tone for the film’s dark humor.
• John Lyshitski: “Trust me, do what I do, keep your mouth shut and try not to cry!” – John offering Nelson some ‘advice’ on how to handle prison life, highlighting the movie’s satirical view of incarceration.
• Barry: “Baby, I can give you kisses that will change your life.” – Barry, a fellow inmate, expresses his feelings to Nelson which highlights the absurdist humor.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $4 million
• Domestic Gross: $4,630,045
• Worldwide Gross: $4,630,045

💥 Let’s Go to Prison Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, ‘Let’s Go to Prison’ is definitely not high art, but I found myself laughing way more than I expected. The prison movie cliches are definitely present, but Will Arnett’s clueless rich-guy routine is hilarious. I especially loved the scenes where he tries to act tough. Chi McBride’s character, Barry, stole every scene he was in! His attempts to woo Nelson with toilet wine were so absurd that I was laughing so much, I almost choked on my soda! Is it a perfect movie? No, but it’s a fun, silly watch that’s perfect for a night when you want to turn your brain off and laugh. The fact that it was filled in an actual abandoned prison (Joliet) added an element of cool as well, and the over the top humor made it worth watching.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of dark comedies”
  • “Viewers who enjoy Will Arnett’s work”
  • “People who appreciate satire and irreverent humor”
  • “Those interested in prison movies with a comedic twist”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Crude humor”
  • “Sexual content (including male nudity and references to sexual assault)”
  • “Strong language”
  • “Violence”
  • “Drug use”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “Despite a strong comedic cast, ‘Let’s Go to Prison’ relies on tired prison tropes and juvenile humor. While there are occasional moments of inspired absurdity, the film ultimately fails to deliver consistent laughs and feels underdeveloped.
• Hollywood Reporter: “The movie’s predictable plot and reliance on clichés make it a forgettable experience. Although Will Arnett and Dax Shepard have moments of comedic chemistry, their efforts are overshadowed by weak writing and uninspired direction.
• IGN: “‘Let’s Go to Prison’ has its moments of dark humor, it struggles with tonal consistency and falls short of its potential. The supporting cast, particularly Chi McBride, provides some laughs, but the overall execution is uneven and unsatisfying.

Audience Reactions

Chi McBride’s performance as Barry was the best part, and his scenes with Will Arnett were hilarious.: The dark humor and unexpected plot twists were a pleasant surprise.

Will Arnett shines as Nelson Biederman IV, perfectly capturing his character’s oblivious and entitled personality.: The movie is funny for a light hearted night to switch off your brain and relax to something humorous.

Overall Consensus: A darkly comedic prison romp with some laugh-out-loud moments and silly moments, but its reliance on clichés and uneven execution prevent it from reaching its full potential, leaving the audience with mixed reviews.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Filmed at the now closed and historic Joliet Correctional Center in Joliet, Illinois – the same prison where the opening sequences of The Blues Brothers (1980) were shot.”
• “The film is loosely based on the non-fiction book ‘You Are Going to Prison’ by Jim Hogshire, which is a how-to guide to survival in prison.”
• “Bob Odenkirk, known for ‘Mr. Show’, directed the movie, bringing his signature comedic style to the project.”

🖥️ How to Watch Let’s Go to Prison?

As of October 2024, “Let’s Go to Prison” is available for rent or purchase on various platforms including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for availability, as streaming options may vary by region. Purchasing the movie digitally or on physical media (DVD/Blu-ray) is also an option through retailers like Amazon and Best Buy.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Let’s Go to Prison, you might like these similar films:

• Office Space (1999): Features dark humor and satire about the absurdity of bureaucratic systems and individual rebellion.
• The Longest Yard (2005): A comedy set within a prison environment, exploring the dynamics between inmates and guards.
• Idiocracy (2006): Also starring Dax Shepard, it shares a similar satirical and absurdist comedic tone, lampooning societal issues.
• Arrested Development (2003-2019): Features Will Arnett, and shares the same type of humor.

🛒 Let’s Go to Prison Related Products

• You Are Going to Prison: The book that inspired the movie, offering a humorous guide to surviving prison life.
• Arrested Development: The Complete Series: Watch Arrested Development episodes. The show is Will Arnett’s best known show. Purchase episodes and seasons on Amazon Prime Video
• Joliet Prison T-Shirt: A t-shirt featuring the Joliet Prison logo, where the movie was filmed.
• Mr. Show with Bob and David: The Complete Collection: Get episodes of this hilarious comedy show. Purchase episodes and seasons on Amazon Prime Video

🎧 Soundtrack

Let’s Go to Prison features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Let’s Go to Prison” – performed by The Naked Trucker & T-Bones with the Dickaround Gang and Tommy Morgan
• “Move This” – performed by Technotronic

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

NERD Was SOLD to the BIGGEST Black Man in Prison…

Want a quick rundown of ‘Let’s Go to Prison’ before you watch? This recap nails all the funniest moments and plot twists. Trust me, it’s worth a watch to jog your memory or see if the movie’s your vibe!

✨ Rate