Watch The Escapist

The Escapist is a 2008 thriller movie directed by Rupert Wyatt, which is about a man named Frank Perry, played by Brian Cox, who has spent 14 years in prison and decides to make an escape plan. At the beginning of the movie, Frank is a model prisoner, who spends time with his family during visiting hours and provides help to his fellow prisoners. However, after learning that his estranged daughter is in trouble, Frank devises a plan to break out of prison and see her.

The prison in the movie is a maximum-security facility, and Frank, being a seasoned inmate, knows that the plan will be difficult to execute. He must navigate through the layers of security, beatings, and betrayals, all while dealing with the other members of his escape team. He teams up with Lenny Drake, played by Joseph Fiennes, an inmate with a keen interest in escape, who Frank sees as a potential asset.

However, not everything goes according to plan as the details of the escape are undermined by varying motives from members of the group of escapees. Additionally, the movie deals with time shifts between the present as the escape plan is being set in motion, and flashbacks that gradually reveal the reason behind Frank's incarceration.

The movie also explores the relationship between inmates and prison guards. One of the guards, played by Damian Lewis, seems to have a personal vendetta against Frank, and the two men cross paths several times in the course of the film. Viewers are on edge as they are unsure whether this character is going to help or hinder the escape plan, adding to the suspense of the movie.

Despite the slow pacing of the film, the audience stays hooked throughout as the characters are so well-developed that it is easy to become invested in their lives. The filmmakers also beautifully portray the harsh realities of prison life, the portrayal of control systems, the cagey claustrophobia, and the mental anguish endured by the inmates. The tense, anxious progression of the film often sparks the viewer's imagination as they try to predict the outcome of the characters' actions in their escape attempt.

Overall, The Escapist is a fantastic movie that appeals to anyone who is a fan of prison-break genre movies. It's thrilling, suspenseful, and filled with enough action to keep viewers hooked while also providing a gripping story that keeps them on the edge of their seats. The stellar cast executes their roles with the utmost finesse, and the direction by Rupert Wyatt is excellent, elevating a classic prison-break trope into an extraordinary and thrilling cinematic experience. Even after 13 years, the movie still stands the test of time and remains an impresive classic for lovers of the genre.

The Escapist is a 2008 action movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 35 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.7 and a MetaScore of 56.