Cell 211 (Celda 211) (2009)
93%RT Audience Score: 88%
Awards & Nominations: NA
Cell 211 is a cinematic masterpiece that combines nail-biting suspense, Tarantino-style violence, and a thought-provoking critique of the penal system. Director Daniel Monzon expertly weaves a Byzantine plot that keeps the viewer on the edge of their seat, while also exploring the moral quandaries faced by the film’s characters. The performances are top-notch, particularly Luis Tosar’s portrayal of the snarling and cruel Malamadre. Monzon’s delicate hand in depicting danger and violence through tense realism and visceral fear, rather than gratuitous gore, is a testament to his skill as a filmmaker. This is a well-made thriller that is both visceral and intelligent, with layers of political complexities and personal complications that make it a must-see for fans of the genre.
Cell 211 is a heart-pumping, nail-biting thriller that will have you on the edge of your seat. With a plot that’s as intricate as a spider’s web and characters that are as memorable as your favorite TV show, this movie is a must-see for anyone who loves a good prison drama. And while it’s definitely not for the faint of heart (there’s plenty of violence to go around), director Daniel Monzon manages to keep things tense and realistic without resorting to gratuitous gore. So if you’re looking for a movie that will keep you guessing until the very end, Cell 211 is the one for you.
Production Company(ies)
Canal+ España Canal+ La Fabrique 2
Distributor
NA
Release Type
Theatrical
Filming Location(s)
Zamora, Castilla y León, Spain
MPAA / Certificate
Year of Release
2009
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Color:Color
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Sound mix:Dolby Digital
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Aspect ratio:1.78 : 1
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Runtime:NA
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Language(s):Spanish, Basque, English
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Country of origin:United States
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Release date:Release Date (Streaming): Aug 30, 2011
Genre(s)
Action/Drama
Keyword(s)
starring Carlos Bardem, Luis Tosar, Alberto Ammann, Marta Etura, Antonio Resines, Luis Zahera, directed by Daniel Monzón, written by Jorge Guerricaechevarría, Daniel Monzón, action, drama, Spanish language, rebellion, prison, impersonation, tension, expertly ratcheted, sharp, well-acted, critique, penal system, violence, Tarantino-style, suspense, real-time thriller, deception, undercover work, con artistry, violence, heart-pounding, Byzantine plot, gore, moral quandaries, violent, dark, danger, visceral fear, edgy shooting style, political complexities, personal complications, buddy story, top horror movies, RT Podcasts, most anticipated movies, best Netflix series
Worldwide gross: $19,305,314
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $26,682,081
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,589
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 2,909,714
US/Canada gross: NA
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada opening weekend:
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): NA
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): NA
Production budget ranking: NA
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
ROI to date (est.): NA
ROI ranking: NA
Luis Tosar – Malamadre
Alberto Ammann – Juan Oliver
Marta Etura – Elena
Antonio Resines – Utrilla
Luis Zahera – Releches
Director(s)
Daniel Monzón
Writer(s)
Jorge Guerricaechevarría, Daniel Monzón
Producer(s)
Álvaro Augustin, Juan Gordon
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
NA
Academy Awards
All Critics (45) | Top Critics (18) | Fresh (44) | Rotten (1)
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.
September 23, 2020 | Rating: 3.5/4
Roger Ebert
RogerEbert.com
TOP CRITIC
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.
August 31, 2018
Deborah Ross
The Spectator
TOP CRITIC
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.
August 24, 2018 | Rating: 4/5
Anna Smith
metro.co.uk
TOP CRITIC
A satisfyingly intense and suitably incendiary prison drama that keeps the viewer tightly handcuffed during its first hour before falling victim to the fraud of improbability.
February 23, 2012
Jonathan Holland
Variety
TOP CRITIC
From Spanish director Daniel Monzon, this is a white-hot prison drama with a Byzantine plot and enough gore to make Reservoir Dogs look like a petting zoo.
October 28, 2011 | Rating: 3/4
Rick Groen
Globe and Mail
TOP CRITIC
It’s a cut above the usual penal picture, intelligent with sharply drawn, memorable characters, a storyline suffused with tension and unexpected turns, and a morass of moral quandaries that could lead the most innocent into irretrievable darkness.
October 28, 2011 | Rating: 3.5/4
Bruce DeMara
Toronto Star
TOP CRITIC
This is a (predictably) violent and dark entry into the prison drama genre, but I agree with the snarling and cruel Malamadre…
December 9, 2021
Jas Keimig
The Stranger (Seattle, WA)
Director/co-writer Daniel Monzon does danger, and violence, with an almost delicate hand — relying on tense realism and visceral fear rather than gratuitous gore.
September 23, 2020 | Rating: A-
Christine Champ
MTV
Daniel Monzón’s Cell 211 is a brutal reminder of how to make a well-made thriller.
September 23, 2020
Alan Zilberman
Brightest Young Things
With an edgy shooting style that plays up the claustrophobia of the prison as social microcosm, and two fine central performances – particularly that of Luis Tosar as hard-guy and riot ringleader Malamadre – there’s plenty to enjoy beyond the story.
September 23, 2020
Lee Marshall
Screen International
A Spanish prison thriller so terrifically stressful it just might compress your brain into a diamond.
August 29, 2017
Lindy West
The Stranger (Seattle, WA)
… visceral and intelligent, with layers of political complexities (both national and internal) and personal complications, and a touchy buddy story at the center.
March 24, 2016
Sean Axmaker
Seanax.com…
Plot
Juan Oliver wants to make a good impression at his new job as a prison officer and reports to work a day early, leaving his pregnant wife, Elena, at home. His destiny is forever changed by this fateful decision, as during his tour of the prison, an accident occurs that knocks him unconscious. He is rushed to the empty but visibly haunted walls of cell 211. As this diversion unfolds, inmates of the high security cell block strategically break free and hijack the penitentiary. Aware of the violence that is to come, the prison officers flee, leaving Juan stranded and unconscious in the heart of the riot. When Juan awakens, he immediately takes stock of the situation; in order to survive, he must pretend to be a prisoner. Juan develops a dialogue with the violent leader of the riot, Badass, and the two begin a partnership, Badass fully believing that Juan is a new inmate. Negotiations go smoothly until the rioters take three ETA (the militant Basque separatist organization) prisoners hostage. When this hits the news, it triggers a stream of prison riots throughout the country as well as demonstrations in the Basque Country. Juan quickly realizes that he is on his own as the situation becomes more politicized and the government gets involved, afraid of potential ramifications in the Basque community. As the drama heightens, unexpected shifts in character both within and without the prison occur.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
Luis Tosar’s performance as hard-guy and riot ringleader Malamadre is particularly noteworthy, according to some critics.
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