Starred Up Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A teenager throws a tantrum in prison while his dad awkwardly tries to bond with him during group therapy.

🍿 Starred Up: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Eric’s Arrival and Initial Violence

The film opens with 19-year-old Eric Love (Jack O’Connell), a volatile and aggressive young offender, being transferred to an adult prison. Known as being ‘starred up’ due to his extreme violence, Eric immediately makes an impact by fashioning a weapon and engaging in brutal fights with both inmates and guards.

Therapy and Father-Son Dynamics

Despite his violent behavior, Eric is offered a place in a therapy group led by volunteer Oliver Baumer (Rupert Friend). Simultaneously, Eric discovers his estranged father, Neville Love (Ben Mendelsohn), is also an inmate. Neville attempts to guide Eric, but their relationship is fraught with tension and conflicting approaches to survival within the prison system.

Challenges and Escalating Conflict

As Eric begins to show signs of progress in therapy, he faces resistance from both within and outside the group. Deputy Governor Haynes (Sam Spruell) is skeptical of Oliver’s methods and actively tries to undermine Eric’s rehabilitation. Power dynamics within the prison also threaten Eric and Neville, leading to escalating violence and difficult choices.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Eric Love (Jack O’Connell): A violently explosive 19-year-old transferred to an adult prison, struggling to control his rage and navigate the brutal system.
• Neville Love (Ben Mendelsohn): Eric’s estranged and hardened father, a long-time inmate who attempts to guide and protect his son within the prison walls.
• Oliver Baumer (Rupert Friend): A voluntary therapist in the prison who tries to help Eric manage his anger and rehabilitate, offering a path to change.
• Deputy Governor Haynes (Sam Spruell): The deputy governor who is against rehabilitation, and makes Eric’s and Oliver’s work difficult.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Eric: “Said this therapy goes well and it changes my life and I rehabilitate. And then you lay it on for the next geezer and it works for him, and the next. And everything’s sweet yeah? Crime rates starts to come down, police got less people to nick, courts got less people to convict.” – Eric sarcastically explains the idealistic but unrealistic impact of therapy on crime rates.
• Eric: “Pretty soon you’re out of a job.” – Eric concludes his point about therapists being out of a job if therapy works perfectly for everyone.

💰Box Office

• Budget: £3,000,000 (estimated)
• Domestic Gross: $54,915
• Worldwide Gross: $3,025,189

💥 Starred Up Reviews

Personal Review

I was blown away by Starred Up! Jack O’Connell’s performance is just unreal. You can feel the rage and pain he’s carrying. The therapy scenes were surprisingly intense and made me think about how difficult rehabilitation must be. The movie made me really think about all the stuff that happens in prisons. The last scene was really emotional and stayed with me for days.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of gritty prison dramas”
  • “Viewers interested in social commentary”
  • “Those who appreciate strong acting performances”
  • “People interested in father-son relationship stories”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Graphic violence”
  • “Strong language”
  • “Male frontal nudity”
  • “Themes of abuse and trauma”

Professional Reviews

• IndieWire: “Starred Up isn’t just another prison drama; it’s a visceral experience, driven by O’Connell’s raw performance. Mackenzie masterfully creates a claustrophobic atmosphere, forcing viewers to confront the brutal realities of incarceration and the complexities of father-son relationships.
• The Guardian: “David Mackenzie’s Starred Up is a ferocious and unflinching look at prison life. O’Connell’s performance is a tour-de-force, capturing the rage and vulnerability of a young man trapped in a cycle of violence. The film pulls no punches in its depiction of brutality.
• Empire: “Starred Up is brutal, uncompromising, and utterly compelling. Jack O’Connell delivers a star-making performance as a volatile young offender. While the subject matter is grim, the film offers moments of surprising emotional depth.

Audience Reactions

Jack O’Connell’s performance was incredibly powerful.: Viewers praised the raw and realistic portrayal of prison life and Jack O’Connell’s incredible acting.

The movie was gritty and unflinching but ultimately moving.: Many people found the film disturbing but ultimately appreciated its honest look at a difficult subject.

Overall Consensus: Starred Up is a gritty, powerful, and well-acted prison drama that offers a realistic and unflinching look at the British prison system. Jack O’Connell’s performance is widely praised as a standout.

Awards

1. BAFTA Scotland Awards (Best Film)- 2014

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film is based on screenwriter Jonathan Asser’s experiences working as a voluntary therapist at HM Prison Wandsworth.”
• “Starred Up was filmed inside the actual Crumlin Road Gaol in Belfast, Northern Ireland, adding to the film’s gritty realism.”

🖥️ How to Watch Starred Up?

Starred Up is currently available for streaming on platforms such as Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Vudu, depending on your region. You can also rent or purchase the movie through these services. Check your local listings for availability.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Starred Up, you might like these similar films:

• A Prophet (2009): A gritty and realistic portrayal of prison life and the protagonist’s transformation within the system. Features similar themes of survival and power dynamics.
• Scum (1979): Another unflinching look at the brutality and violence within a British borstal, serving as a key influence and predecessor to Starred Up.
• American History X (1998): Explores themes of violence, redemption, and the influence of family and environment, although in a different setting than a prison.
• Animal Kingdom (2010): Examines the influence of family, crime, and violence, in a similar way that Starred Up explores Eric’s brutal childhood and familial links.

🛒 Starred Up Related Products

• Starred Up [Blu-ray]: Own the gripping drama on Blu-ray for a high-definition viewing experience. A must-have for fans of British cinema and intense character studies.
• The Psychology of Incarceration: Understanding the Prison Mind: Explore the psychological aspects of incarceration with this insightful ebook. Gain a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by inmates and the impact of prison environments.
• Starred Up – Limited Edition Movie Poster: A high-quality print of the official movie poster, perfect for decorating your home theatre or adding to your film memorabilia collection. Printed on premium archival paper.
• Prison Survival Guide: How to Thrive Behind Bars: This book is a guide to understanding the brutal realities of prison life.

🎧 Soundtrack

Starred Up features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Main Titles” – performed by David Mackenzie
• “Cell Search” – performed by David Mackenzie
• “Therapy Session” – performed by David Mackenzie

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

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Jack O’Connell talks prison drama Starred Up | Film4 Interview Special

Want to know what it was *really* like filming a gritty prison drama? Jack O’Connell and director David Mackenzie spill the beans! Their discussion about the raw intensity of Starred Up is absolutely captivating.

STARRED UP: JACK O’CONNELL interview with Princess Nyah

Jack O’Connell really brought it in Starred Up, didn’t he? In this interview, he dives deep into his character and what it took to portray such a complex role. Definitely worth a watch if you want to understand Eric Love better!

✨ Rate