Rotten Tomatoes
Cancel Movies Tv shows FanStore News Showtimes

7 Prisoners

Play trailer 2:42 Poster for 7 Prisoners R Released Nov 5, 2021 1h 33m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
98% Tomatometer 47 Reviews 86% Popcornmeter 100+ Ratings
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?
Watch on Netflix Stream Now

Where to Watch

7 Prisoners

7 Prisoners

What to Know

Critics Consensus

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

Read Critics Reviews

Critics Reviews

View All (47) Critics Reviews
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 Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (23) audience reviews
Heero P "The 7 Prisoners" presents a heart-wrenching narrative about human trafficking, revealing the stark reality that while some individuals lack choices, others are burdened by difficult decisions. Mateus’s courage in confronting a system of oppression stands as a beacon of hope, reminding us that even in dire situations, the human spirit can inspire moments of defiance and change. However, it is devastating to see him succumb to his circumstances. In his quest to provide for his family, he feels compelled to abandon his core values, sacrificing his integrity. Though he secures a better financial future for his family, the permanent scar of a cigarette burn on his arm will forever symbolize his moral compromise. This painful reminder will haunt him, reflecting the steep price he paid for their stability and his betrayal of friends. Despite the material wealth he acquires, true happiness eludes him. Conversely, Luca’s journey shines a light on the cycle of suffering. Once a victim of poverty, he witnessed the toll it took on his mother, leading him to make heartbreaking choices in a desperate bid to survive. The phrase "hurt people hurt people" rings true in his case; his turmoil transformed him into someone who, though initially empathetic, ultimately turned a blind eye to the damage he inflicted on others. The tragedy lies in understanding that in the face of hardship, Luca hardened his heart, sacrificing the freedom and well-being of others to protect his own family. This poignant story forces us to reflect on the complexities of morality, choice, and the devastating consequences of human trafficking. Will watching the movie "7 prisoners" imprison or free you from heartache? Imprison: This powerful and intense film delves deep into the pain and suffering of individuals trapped in perilous situations. It can evoke profound feelings of helplessness, anger, and sadness, creating an emotional weight that may leave you feeling burdened long after the credits roll. For those attuned to such themes, the harsh realities depicted could ignite a sense of entrapment in your own thoughts, making the experience feel emotionally constricting. Free: On the flip side, “7 Prisoners” shines a light on themes of resilience, justice, and the unwavering spirit of those fighting to liberate themselves from oppressive conditions. Witnessing the courage of the characters on their journey for a brighter future might provide a sense of hope and relief, offering a pathway to process your own heartache or challenges. For many viewers, films like this can be not just a source of comfort but also a powerful inspiration for positive change. In the end, your experience with the film will depend on your emotional state and your connection to its story. If you are in search of a gripping, thought-provoking film, “7 Prisoners” presents a profound exploration of human resilience. Just remember to approach its heavy subject matter with awareness of its possible emotional effects. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/02/25 Full Review 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 Full Review Audience Member muy buena pelicula 8/10 Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/27/23 Full Review 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 Read all reviews
7 Prisoners

My Rating

Read More Read Less POST RATING WRITE A REVIEW EDIT REVIEW

Cast & Crew

Stillwater 75% 72% Stillwater Watchlist TRAILER for Stillwater Blue Bayou 75% 93% Blue Bayou Watchlist TRAILER for Blue Bayou Concrete Cowboy 80% 70% Concrete Cowboy Watchlist TRAILER for Concrete Cowboy Ema 88% 62% Ema Watchlist TRAILER for Ema Sundown 78% 63% Sundown Watchlist TRAILER for Sundown Discover more movies and TV shows. View More

Movie Info

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
Producer
Ramin Bahrani, Andrea Barata Ribeiro, Fernando Meirelles, 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
Brazilian Portuguese
Release Date (Theaters)
Nov 5, 2021, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Nov 11, 2021
Runtime
1h 33m
Most Popular at Home Now