Netflix’s New Prison Thriller Will Shock You

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Today marks the beginning of a fresh month, which means an array of films have recently been made available across various streaming services. Unfortunately, Netflix seems to be having a rather subdued month in terms of older movies joining their platform for the first time. However, they’re banking on a few of their original titles in March, such as “The Electric State” and “Adolescence,” to make a big impact. Otherwise, it appears to be a relatively quiet month for movies. The comedic relief comes from “Friday,” “Next Friday,” “50 First Dates,” and “Ted,” while Spike Lee’s masterpiece, “Do the Right Thing,” will also be available. Notably, the final cut of “Blade Runner” has just been added. There are also some high-octane action movies on offer, including “Black Hawk Down,” “Blood and Bone,” the gripping “Sicario,” and a must-see, “Cell 211.

Though you might be familiar with most of the other films mentioned earlier, Cell 211 may not ring a bell. However, it’s quite remarkable given that it won eight Goya Awards (the Spanish equivalent of the Oscars) and garnered a critics’ approval rating of 98% on Rotten Tomatoes based on 46 reviews. Released in 2009 as an action-thriller, this film was adapted from Francisco Pérez Gandul’s 2003 novel and co-written by Jorge Guerricaechevarría, a renowned Spanish screenwriter who has collaborated with Alex de la Iglesia on movies like The Day of the Beast and The Oxford Murders. In brief, here’s the storyline:

On the very day a rebellion ignites among the inmates at a Seville prison, orchestrated by an influential convict known as Malamadre, a fresh correctional officer shows up. To swiftly extricate himself from danger, he must persuade these prisoners that he’s one of their own.

In essence, the movie keeps you on edge with its unrelenting tension, drawing viewers deep into the raw turmoil and brutality of a live-action prison riot. Critic Roger Ebert nearly gave it a perfect score (3.5 out of 4), remarking that “Cell 211” is a nerve-wracking thriller about a man’s desperate struggle to stay alive by thinking swiftly. It doesn’t offer explanations; instead, it lays out the circumstances and lets us witness his actions and their consequences. You might find it hard to believe, but this approach proves far more exhilarating than typical action sequences.

In Cell 211, the narrative deviates from conventional patterns and resists any attempts to predict its outcome. Instead of building up anticipation through a traditional “mounting tension” structure, this story unfolds in unexpected ways at every turn. Although it maintains a convincing flow throughout, it refuses to adhere to established norms of predictability.

‘Cell 211’ Led to a New Netflix Series

The acclaim for the film “Cell 211” and its incessant suspense was universal. As Deborah Ross from The Spectator puts it, “It’s filled with Tarantino-esque violence… yet, the plot is meticulously crafted, the tension is overwhelming, and the character development is skillfully done – I was completely captivated.” Jonathan Holland of Variety describes “Cell 211” as a “powerful prison drama that delivers an intense experience, keeping the audience under close watch during its initial hour.” Lastly, Bruce DeMara from The Toronto Star writes:

This work rises above typical crime narratives, featuring well-defined, captivating characters, a plot brimming with suspense and unforeseen twists, and a complex web of ethical dilemmas that even the purest soul might find themselves ensnared in the abyss.

It appears that the movie “Cell 211” will soon be available on Netflix, serving as a companion piece to the new Netflix original series titled “Prison Cell 211”. This series, though it has only garnered three reviews so far on Rotten Tomatoes, seems to be an exciting expansion of the modern prison thriller genre that has gained classic status. You can watch the movie “Cell 211” below and find a trailer for “Prison Cell 211” above.

Watch Cell 211

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2025-03-02 01:03