Cell 211

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Cell 211

2009

1h 50m

Action

Drama

Mystery & Thriller

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

98%

Tomatometer

47 Reviews

88%

Popcornmeter

5,000+ Ratings

When an inmate leads a rebellion, a young guard tries to survive by impersonating a prisoner.

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Critics Consensus

A uniquely sharp, well-acted prison drama, Cell 211 avoids exploitative thrills in favor of expertly ratcheted tension.

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Roger Ebert

RogerEbert.com

In addition to its effectiveness as a thriller, it is also a film showing a man in the agonizing process of changing his values. And it is a critique of a cruel penal system.

Rated: 3.5/4

Sep 23, 2020

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Deborah Ross

The Spectator

It is packed with Tarantino-style violence... but the plotting is so fine and the suspense so blinding and the character strokes so masterful I was totally gripped.

Aug 31, 2018

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Anna Smith

metro.co.uk

Spanish prison movie Cell 211 is a winner if you're a fan of the nail-biting real-time thriller, using deception, undercover work and con artistry to deliver violence and heart-pounding scenes.

Rated: 4/5

Aug 24, 2018

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JK Sooja

Common Sense Media

Thankfully, this prison drama doesn't overstay its welcome.

Mar 26, 2025

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Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

The film surprises and engages us in unexpected ways, changing our perceptions of characters and the situation again and again, yet always in an emotionally prevailing way.

Rated: 3/4

Aug 18, 2023

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Jas Keimig

The Stranger (Seattle, WA)

This is a (predictably) violent and dark entry into the prison drama genre, but I agree with the snarling and cruel Malamadre...

Dec 9, 2021

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Fernando B

Cruda, imersiva, escalofriante.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

09/17/24

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rafe o

utterly gripping. from end to end. not at all happy but a wild ride.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/22/24

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Jose R

It's a pretty good movie, but it has some screenplay problems, most of them about credibility.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/20/22

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ari v

Made it through a half hour but couldn't shake this soap-opera kind of feel.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

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panayiota k

An intense thriller that - i am assuming - really showcases the situation in some prisons and criticism towards government decisions.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

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Audience Member

Alberto Ammann era impresionante como siempre

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

02/19/23

Full Review

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Daniel Monzón

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Luis Tosar

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Alberto Ammann

Juan Oliver

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Synopsis

When an inmate leads a rebellion, a young guard tries to survive by impersonating a prisoner.

Director: Daniel Monzón
Producer: Álvaro Augustin, Juan Gordon
Screenwriter: Jorge Guerricaechevarría, Daniel Monzón
Production Co: Morena Films S.L., Vaca Films
Genre: Action, Drama, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: European Spanish
Release Date (DVD): Aug 30, 2011
Runtime: 1h 50m

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