Jailbroken

Bluesky

The worst thing about jail, prisoners often say, is that feeling that no-one cares about you. That whatever happens, you’re all on your own, and you’re going to have to deal with it on your own.

Joe (Bryan Larkin) is not a delicate creature. We see him working him in his cell, keeping his body in shape; he has plenty of muscle to defend himself with. Though we never learn what he was convicted for, we know that he got into some serious trouble on the outside, and that he intends to get straight back to it when he’s released at the end of the week, having done his five years. After a party with his old mates, of course. But he’s about to find himself in a situation that will force him to rethink everything he knows.

Set in a single location with, for the most part, only two actors onscreen, Jailbroken is a pared down thriller that really grips. It’s a high concept piece and such films often flounder in the execution, but here everything falls into place. Larkin isn’t just an action star. When given the chance, he’s a very capable actor, as is Armin Karima, who plays nervous new cellmate Naz. Their initial scene together, in which the youth tries hard to sell himself as a tough guy whilst Joe tries to keep him at a distance, is beautifully delivered and sets the stage for everything that follows.

Although we’re cooped up in a small prison cell, director Vasily Chuprina does a great job of keeping the film dynamic, with plenty of movement which feels natural and tells us about the characters. Cinematographer Mike Nutkins finds a surprising number of angles from which to shoot. Between these techniques and the pacing of the story, plus the challenge Joe faces when faced with a problem he can’t fight his way out of, the tension is terrific. When the payoff comes, it packs in an energy and vitality one would not expect in that space.

Jailbroken was the opening film of the Frightfest strand at the 2026 Glasgow Film Festival, and it has all the quality and style that one would hope for in that context. As in any smart prison movie, there’s also a dose of political subtext, and there are plenty of twists and turns to keep viewers guessing. It’s a tightly crafted piece of work and a highly satisfying watch.

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