Wasteman: The Ruthless Netflix Prison Thriller Leaving Viewers Genuinely Nervous

A tense British prison drama has quickly climbed to the top of Netflix in the UK, while viewers say its brutal atmosphere and unpredictable story left them genuinely nervous about what might happen next.

Wasteman, which recently became the platform’s most-watched film among UK subscribers, was given a limited cinema release earlier this year before reaching a much wider audience through Netflix. The 90-minute crime drama has also attracted strong critical attention, currently holding a 100% Tomatometer score from 53 reviews on Rotten Tomatoes.

A Prisoner Desperate For A Second Chance

The film follows Taylor, played by David Jonsson, a prisoner who has earned the label “wasteman” from society, his family and those around him in prison.

After years behind bars, Taylor is hoping for an early release and the chance to rebuild his life. He has largely managed to avoid trouble, but that fragile sense of stability disappears when he is given a new cellmate.

That cellmate is Dee, played by Tom Blyth.

Dee is unpredictable, confrontational and deeply involved in the prison’s criminal world. His arrival quickly threatens Taylor’s hopes of parole, pulling him into a dangerous situation involving drugs, intimidation and violence.

What begins as a story about one prisoner trying to stay out of trouble gradually becomes an increasingly tense battle between two men whose very different approaches to survival collide.

David Jonsson And Tom Blyth Drive The Tension

The film is led by Jonsson and Blyth, whose performances have been repeatedly highlighted by critics.

Rotten Tomatoes’ current consensus describes the movie as harrowing and praises the two leads, while noting that the story examines the forces that encourage violence inside the correctional system.

The confined setting gives their relationship much of the film’s intensity. Taylor is desperate to protect his chance at freedom, while Dee appears far more comfortable operating within the prison’s violent hierarchy.

That imbalance keeps the situation unpredictable, particularly as Taylor becomes increasingly caught between protecting himself and dealing with the consequences of Dee’s actions.

A Gritty Take On Life Behind Bars

Directed by Cal McMau, Wasteman takes a deliberately raw approach to its prison setting.

The film uses handheld footage and cellphone-style video alongside widescreen cinematography, creating a viewing experience that critics have described as immediate and unsettling. It was also filmed at Shepton Mallet Prison, which had closed in 2013.

Rather than focusing only on physical violence, the story explores the psychological pressure of incarceration and the difficult choices prisoners make when survival, loyalty and freedom come into conflict.

The result is a compact thriller that moves quickly while keeping its central relationship at the heart of the story.

Viewers Say It Keeps Them On Edge

The film’s reception has been especially strong among viewers looking for something intense and unpredictable.

One audience member described it as an intense and gripping 90-minute experience, praising the use of phone footage and the performances from Jonsson and Blyth. Another said they were “on the edge of my seat” throughout.

Others have highlighted the film’s ability to create genuine anxiety, with one viewer saying it left them “nervous, suspenseful, and scared for every next scene.”

Critics have responded positively as well. The Guardian praised the film as a gripping and violent British prison drama, while RogerEbert.com highlighted the evolving dynamic between Taylor and Dee and the performances at its centre.

Now Streaming On Netflix

With its 100% Rotten Tomatoes critic score, strong performances from David Jonsson and Tom Blyth, and a story built around escalating tension inside a British prison, Wasteman has found a much larger audience following its move to streaming.

For viewers who enjoy dark crime dramas where the danger comes as much from the people trapped inside the system as from the system itself, the film offers a tightly paced and unsettling watch.

Wasteman is now streaming on Netflix.