Inside
September 23rd, 2026
MOVIE: INSIDE
STARRING: VINCENT MILLER, GUY PEARCE, COSMO JARVIS
DIRECTED BY: CHARLES WILLIAMS
AMovieGuy.com’s RATING: 4 STARS (Out of 4)
RATED: R
RUN TIME: 104 MINUTES
It feels like studio heads, movie producers, or at least somebody should be held responsible when a great movie becomes lost in the cinematic ether. Inside is a staggering drama about three men in prison, each connected through a mentorship triangle, with different yet similar paths that led them behind bars. The result is a film about rehabilitation, the struggle to stay out of trouble in prison, and a harrowing portrait of finding redemption through pain. Inside is a powerful, shocking, and heartbreaking film about finding the right path in a complicated life.
The main character is Mel Blight (played by a doe-eyed Vincent Miller), who has recently turned 18 and is being transferred from juvenile detention into an adult prison in Australia. His crime was killing a classmate after taking his rage too far, and now he must face the consequences of his actions. At first, he connects with notorious murderer Mark Shepard (Cosmo Jarvis, delivering a great performance), helping him play the piano during his religious services. The two develop a quiet bond, but there is a deadly hit out on Shepard. After a few radical outbursts from Mel, he is paired with Warren (Guy Pearce), an elder member of the prison community who is close to being paroled. Their connection is strong, but to save his own hide, Warren convinces Mel to murder Shepard over his debts.
What’s fascinating about Inside, written and directed by first-time feature filmmaker Charles Williams, is that the story isn’t simply about three individuals in prison; it’s about the entire process of rehabilitation. This would make an excellent double feature with The Shawshank Redemption, as both films balance the line between judging their characters and finding reasons to forgive them. The acts that landed these men in prison are abhorrent, and Williams thoughtfully dissects whether there is still a sense of morality buried within each of them.
The performances from all three actors are excellent, with each taking a uniquely different path. Miller plays Mel quietly, with judgment, regret, and sadness constantly visible behind his eyes. Jarvis delivers a Marlon Brando-like performance, giving Shepard a darkness and sadness that makes him difficult to fully understand. There is even a God-like complexity reminiscent of Colonel Kurtz in Apocalypse Now, combined with the quiet leadership of Andy Dufresne. As for Pearce, his role and performance are the best of the bunch. He plays a man conflicted about his role as a mentor and the possibility of finally leaving the prison yard. His character has the biggest arc, as he searches for redemption for his absence as a parent while simultaneously feeling terrified of what awaits him outside prison. It’s within these complexities that Inside truly dissects the complicated nature of prison life and the possibility of second chances.
Inside has shocking moments, tense confrontations, and plenty of quiet reflection. It reminded me of the success of Sing Sing, another film that explores the humanity of incarcerated people and reveals the beauty, kindness, and forgiveness that can exist even among those who have committed horrible acts. Williams’ direction is superb, and the subject matter alone continues to challenge us as human beings. Are we capable of forgiving? Do we believe in rehabilitation? Inside reminds us to keep searching for those answers, because that search is what keeps us looking for the good in others.
It’s there, deep down, Inside.
4 STARS
INSIDE IS CURRENTLY AVAILABLE TO RENT ON DEMAND AND ON LIONSGATE+ SEPTEMBER 17TH, 2026.
Written by: Leo Brady
