A Prayer Before Dawn

R

Released Aug 10, 2018

1h 57m

Action

Mystery & Thriller

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List

92%

65 Reviews

Tomatometer

75%

1,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

The amazing true story of Billy Moore, an English boxer incarcerated in Thailand's most notorious prison. Thrown into a world of drugs and violence, he finds his best chance to escape is to fight his way out in Muay Thai tournaments.

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Critics Consensus

A Prayer Before Dawn is far from an easy watch, but this harrowing prison odyssey delivers rich rewards -- led by an outstanding central performance from Joe Cole.

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Leslie Felperin

Hollywood Reporter

Midnight Express' meets 'Ong-Bak,' and that's a good thing.

Dec 21, 2018

Full Review

Jake Wilson

The Age (Australia)

Ultimately, there is something distasteful about this approach ― especially as the stylistic bravura seems calculated to leave minimal room for thought.

Rated: 2.5/5

Oct 4, 2018

Full Review

Michael Sragow

Film Comment Magazine

Overloaded with physical peril and over-strategized to convey the jitters of a strung-out junkie, the movie runs a deficit on emotional intelligence and journalistic information.

Sep 27, 2018

Full Review

Leigh Paatsch

Herald Sun (Australia)

A punishing, uncompromising prison drama of the highest order...The level of authenticity achieved here is gut-punchingly raw.

Rated: 4/5

Jun 2, 2022

Full Review

Taylor Baker

Drink in the Movies

Episode 11: Moving On

Rated: 70/100

Sep 1, 2021

Full Review

Tom Connick

NME (New Musical Express)

This shocking depiction of prison brutality deftly avoids the pitfalls that so often romanticises time behind bars.

Rated: 5/5

Jun 14, 2021

Full Review

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j F

The pacing was jumpy, and the action was often brutal. But engaging, and had a few tender moments behind bars.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

09/16/23

Full Review

Stephanie L

Joe Cole always plays his role to a T, he is a perfect actor. Great movie, disturbing at some parts but great movie.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/13/23

Full Review

Charlie L

This film is a spiritual experience.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/20/23

Full Review

Audience Member

I didn't really enjoy the style of this one as you're thrown into a story that bounces all over the place and you have no back story of what's going on or who the characters are. Some narration would have helped to make the flow of the story better.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/13/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Film coraggioso, tratto dall'omonimo romanzo, si dimostra un ottimo prodotto con peculiarità uniche. La scelta di non tradurre la maggior parte dei dialoghi è precisa e clamorosamente riuscita, rende perfettamente il senso di smarrimento e di ansia a cui era sottoposto il protagonista. Gli aspetti tecnici funzionano meravigliosamente; le sequenze di combattimento, gli ambienti della prigione e le dinamiche dei personaggi sono eseguite perfettamente; così come la fotografia. Sicuramente il punto debole è il percorso del personaggio, che più che redenzione, trova una continua lotta interiore e contro gli altri, con brevissimi lampi di calma. Azzeccata la scelta di prendere veri ex carcerati; in linea con il film, garantisce di migliorare ancora le ambientazioni e gli aspetti tecnici.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/12/23

Full Review

Audience Member

very difficult to watch at parts, but a quite accurate depiction of thai prisons from what i am to understand from documentaries and such. i was at first a bit peeved that they didn't include subtitles for the thai, but i realized that they added more and more of them as the protagonist learned how to understand it himself, which is a nice touch. the fight sequences were also scaled in this way : blurry and unclear at first, but more intense and focused as he learned to ~discipline himself. this movie is really great, but be warned that there is a lot of physical and sexual violence. i also liked their approach to the transgender women in the film, as it seemed they were respected and not stigmatized in any way.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/14/23

Full Review

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Jean-Stéphane Sauvaire

Director

Joe Cole

Billy Moore

Billy Moore

Billy Moore's Father

Pornchanok Mabklang

Fame

Panya Yimmumphai

Keng

Chaloemporn Sawatsuk

M

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A Prayer Before Dawn: Trailer 2

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Synopsis

The amazing true story of Billy Moore, an English boxer incarcerated in Thailand's most notorious prison. Thrown into a world of drugs and violence, he finds his best chance to escape is to fight his way out in Muay Thai tournaments.

Director: Jean-Stéphane Sauvaire
Producer: James Schamus, Jennifer Dong, Woody Mu, Peter Watson
Screenwriter: Jonathan Hirschbein, Nick Saltrese
Distributor: A24
Production Co: Senorita Films, HanWay Films, Indochina Productions
Rating: R (Language Throughout|Drug Use|A Brutal Rape Sequence|Some Sexual Content and Nudity|Strong Violence)
Genre: Action, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Aug 10, 2018, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 7, 2018
Box Office (Gross USA): $14.5K
Runtime: 1h 57m
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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