Inside (2024 Melbourne International Film Festival) ★★★½
FILMS set in prisons have come in many different forms.
They can vary as widely as The Shawshank Redemption and Scum, but rarely are they boring.
Australia’s best entry to the sub-genre is probably John Hillcoat’s Ghosts of the Civil Dead, released in 1989.
Inside is the debut feature from award-winning short film director Charles Williams and is another very worthy addition.
It’s a powerful examination of the penal system and asks many questions of its audience.
Is the system working? Can it ever change the life trajectories of broken people torn apart by families and discarded by society?
The film is anchored by three terrific performances from Guy Pearce, Cosmo Jarvis and newcomer Vincent Miller.
Miller plays Mel Blight whom we meet as he is transferred from a juvenile detention centre to an adult prison.
He is initially forced to share a cell with Mark Shepherd (Jarvis), a child murderer and the prison’s most hated inmate who claims to have found redemption through God.
Blight is soon transferred to a cell with long-time prisoner Warren Murfett (Pearce) who is also a murderer.
Like the younger man, Murfett is nearing his parole hearing and it is hoped he will keep himself in tow while playing a mentoring role.
But the spectre of Shepherd and the demons circling all three men lead to a devastating climax.
Williams’ direction displays a good understanding of camera placement and pacing within his scenes.
But perhaps the fact he also wrote the film is his strongest contribution, pulling off the feat of gaining audience sympathy even for people who have committed heinous crimes.
We all know how versatile an actor Pearce is, but in this film he excels in one of his best dramatic roles.
Brit Jarvis continues to build a strong filmography and his turn as Shepherd is absolutely chilling.
Williams’ film doesn’t necessarily say a lot new, but it has great impact thanks to the nuanced script and performances.
Inside had its World premiere at the Melbourne International Film Festival but won’t get a general release until early 2025.
Definitely keep an eye out for it.
Watched at the cinema.