Cell 211

Watch Cell 211

"To survive inside, he has to become one of them."
  • NR
  • 2009
  • 1 hr 50 min
  • 7.6  (70,397)

Cell 211 is a Spanish thriller movie released in 2009 directed by Daniel Monzon. The film is based on a novel by Francisco Perez Gandul of the same name. The movie follows the story of Juan Oliver, a prison officer on his first day of work in a high-security prison located in a barren, desolate location. The opening scene shows Juan (Alberto Ammann) eagerly entering the prison, eager to get on with his new job as a prison officer, before a riot breaks out among the inmates. Juan is separated from the other prison guards, who are thinking of taking hostage and organizes a prison mutiny. Desperate to save his life and avoid confrontation, Juan, with the help of one of the inmates, Malamadre (Luis Tosar), pretends to be another inmate, joining the mutineers from inside.

The riot becomes intense, and Juan finds himself conflicted between convincing the inmates that he's on their side to save himself, and maintaining his principles as a good man. The leader of the prisoners is a notorious criminal, Malamadre, who takes Juan under his wing and coerces him into playing a very dangerous game. The inmates hold hostages of different ranks, including a politically connected businessman, Jose Utrilla (Antonio Resines), who sees this as his chance to show off his power to the prisoners. As the prison officers attempt to regain control, the plot twists and turns, and tension mounts between Juan and Malamadre, with terrible consequences on its foothold.

The performances of the cast members were excellent, with Luis Tosar's portrayal of Malamadre, as the leader of the prisoners, being brilliant. Alberto Ammann playing Juan Oliver captured the innocence, confliction, and desperation of a new prison officer being thrust into the middle of a dangerous situation while Antonio Resines playing the businessman, Jose Utrilla, gave a powerful and convincing speech that showcased his character's true intentions.

The cinematography of the film is also noteworthy. The entire movie takes place inside the prison, which gives the viewer a sense of claustrophobia and adds to the intensity of the film. There are many close-up shots, which makes the viewer feel as though they are in the middle of the action. The use of color in the film is also effective- the colors are muted and dark, mirroring the grim reality of the situation, with only red being vibrant, symbolizing the bloodshed and danger.

The plot of the movie is an intense, fast-paced, character-driven experience that tackles the themes of power struggles, survival, and the effects of trauma, all set in the microcosm of a prison ward. It's a harrowing and thought-provoking story that questions the morality of even the most well-intentioned individuals when pushed to their limits. The storyline also explores the power dynamics between individuals often upheld by a system, highlighting the notion that sometimes, entrenched authority is a source of oppression.

In conclusion, Cell 211 is an excellent movie that appeals to fans of a thrilling, suspenseful drama. The movie's characters are engaging with an unpredictable plot that keeps the viewer on edge from the beginning until the end. It's a well-directed film with a talented cast that delivers a powerful performance, making it arguably one of the best Spanish thrillers of all time.

Cell 211 is a 2009 action movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 50 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.6.

Cell 211
Description
Where to Watch Cell 211
Cell 211 is available to watch free on Tubi TV. It's also available to stream, download on demand at Amazon Prime, Apple TV Channels and The Roku Channel. Some platforms allow you to rent Cell 211 for a limited time or purchase the movie and download it to your device.
  • Release Date
    2009
  • MPAA Rating
    NR
  • Runtime
    1 hr 50 min
  • Language
    English
  • IMDB Rating
    7.6  (70,397)