7 Prisoners

R

Released Nov 5, 2021

1 hr. 33 min.

Drama

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98%

48 Reviews

Tomatometer

87%

100+ Ratings

Audience Score

18-year-old Mateus (Christian Malheiros) hopes to provide a better life for his working-class family in the countryside. Accepting a new job in São Paolo, he is shuttled into the city with a handful of other teenage boys from his town, unaware of what awaits them: exhausting work in a scrapyard and their identity cards seized by a vicious taskmaster and exploiter, Luca (Rodrigo Santoro), who threatens them with the unthinkable if they try to escape. But, as Mateus learns, even the boss has a boss. And if he wants to find a way out, what will he have to become?

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Critics Consensus

A hard-hitting drama that feels disconcertingly real, 7 Prisoners blends sharp storytelling with a searing social conscience.

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Cristiano Z

7 Prisoners is a new important entry on Brazilian cinema. Among many uninspired comedies and badly written scripts Alexandre Moratto brings out a strong story about modern slavery. The movie is beautifully constructed and the story is told in a manner that you stay on the edge of your seat living the moral dilemmas of the main character. This thrill is not easy to produce, specially on Brazilian cinema where acting talent is not widely available as it is the case in other places. Moratto seem to have found this talent on Christian Malheiros. Their delivery is simple, effective and it makes up for great storytelling. This review would not be complete without mentioning Rodrigo Santoro. The arguably most famous Brazilian Actor of all time is on one of his best performances here. I concede that the role does not require extremes for the star of 300, however you just can't see an actor here. He impersonates the character so well that it is difficult to remember that it is Santoro there at times, we could just as well be seeing him on a documentary regarding these heart-wrenching issues. What a great and positive surprise it was! With all that said, great movie! Just a small distance behind other great Brazilian works such as City of God and Elite Squad. Well worth your time. Great storytelling, great acting and important heartbreaking themes. 8/10 easy!

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

08/04/23

Full Review

Audience Member

It is the kind of film that shakes your soul. Too bad for the last 20 minutes, it failed in be more resolutive. 6/10

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/22/23

Full Review

Audience Member

7 Prisoners is a new important entry on Brazilian cinema. Among many uninspired comedies and badly written scripts Alexandre Moratto brings out a strong story about modern slavery. The movie is beautifully constructed and the story is told in a manner that you stay on the edge of your seat living the moral dilemmas of the main character. This thrill is not easy to produce, specially on Brazilian cinema where acting talent is not widely available as it is the case in other places. Moratto seem to have found this talent on Christian Malheiros. Their delivery is simple, effective and it makes up for great storytelling. This review would not be complete without mentioning Rodrigo Santoro. The arguably most famous Brazilian Actor of all time is on one of his best performances here. I concede that the role does not require extremes for the star of 300, however you just can't see an actor here. He impersonates the character so well that it is difficult to remember that it is Santoro there at times, we could just as well be seeing him on a documentary regarding these heart-wrenching issues. What a great and positive surprise it was! With all that said, great movie! Just a small distance behind other great Brazilian works such as City of God and Elite Squad. Well worth your time. Great storytelling, great acting and important heartbreaking themes. 8/10 easy!

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/13/23

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Audience Member

muy buena pelicula 8/10

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/27/23

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Audience Member

Com uma consciência social pouco vista no cinema nacional, 7 prisioneiros mostra a realidade crua de quem é pobre no Brasil. Impecável, da produção, direção às atuações memoráveis de Rodrigo e Christian.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/15/23

Full Review

lucas t

Very Nice!!This brazilian movie shows the reality of some farmer workers that decide to go to the brazilian big city,são paulo.I love it!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

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Alexandre Moratto

Director

Christian Malheiros

Mateus

Rodrigo Santoro

Luca

Cecilia Homem de Mello

Actor

Vitor Julian

Ezequiel

Lucas Oranmian

Isaque

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7 Prisoners: Trailer 1

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Philip De Semlyen

Time Out

If the pay-offaims for the gut and misses, the journey to that point provides a searing microcosm of a corrupt and degrading system.

Rated: 3/5

Nov 18, 2021

Full Review

Monica Castillo

The Playlist

With "7 Prisoners," Moratto proves himself as a director of many talents.

Rated: B+

Nov 18, 2021

Full Review

Wendy Ide

Observer (UK)

The rather on-the-nose storytelling grows increasingly complex and interesting the further that the protagonist ventures into morally ambiguous territory.

Rated: 4/5

Nov 17, 2021

Full Review

Jason Flatt

But Why Tho? A Geek Community

7 Prisoners is perfectly paced, perfectly casted, and perfectly counter to any expectations you might have for the story beforehand.

Rated: 9/10

Jan 16, 2023

Full Review

Keith Garlington

Keith & the Movies

With a bold and clear-eyed perspective, “7 Prisoners” offers a brutally honest challenge to a society’s apathy towards some well-documented abuses.

Rated: 4/5

Aug 16, 2022

Full Review

Joanne Laurier

World Socialist Web Site

7 Prisoners is a deeply disturbing movie, featuring a committed and accomplished cast.

Rated: 3/4

Aug 16, 2022

Full Review

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Synopsis

18-year-old Mateus (Christian Malheiros) hopes to provide a better life for his working-class family in the countryside. Accepting a new job in São Paolo, he is shuttled into the city with a handful of other teenage boys from his town, unaware of what awaits them: exhausting work in a scrapyard and their identity cards seized by a vicious taskmaster and exploiter, Luca (Rodrigo Santoro), who threatens them with the unthinkable if they try to escape. But, as Mateus learns, even the boss has a boss. And if he wants to find a way out, what will he have to become?

Director: Alexandre Moratto
Screenwriter: Alexandre Moratto, Thayná Mantesso
Distributor: Netflix
Production Co: Noruz Films (I), O2 Filmes
Rating: R (A Sexual Reference|Some Violence|Language)
Genre: Drama
Original Language: Portuguese (Brazil)
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 5, 2021, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 11, 2021

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