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Prison

1987·Movie
1h 42min·R
40
WeakGoodWatch score
IMDb5.8Metacritic47–Rotten Tomatoes40%34%
IMDb5.8Metacritic47–Rotten Tomatoes40%34%

Watch

Not streaming in United States. Where it is:

Prison fingerprint

High energy, striking style, emotionally cool.

Energy

Terrifying and tense

Fast from start to finish.

  • Scare9
  • Tension8
  • Violence8

Heart

Emotionally reserved

  • Melancholy5
  • Nostalgia5
  • Pathos4

Humor

A little humor

Not a comedy at heart.

  • Dark Humor4
  • Situational Comedy1
  • Wit & Wordplay1

World

Fantasy, crime, and mystery

  • World Immersion7
  • Dialogue Centrality6
  • Novelty6

Craft

Solid, not remarkable

  • Intrigue8
  • Direction7
  • Acting7

Style

Functional look and sound

  • Cinematography7
  • Editing7
  • Music Composition7

Who it's for

AdultsFriends NightSolo Watch

Skip it if

You need an uplifting moodGraphic violence bothers youYou scare easily

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Scary movies

Based on the GoodWatch fingerprint: our scores for 70+ attributes of every movie. Select a row to see all of them.

About

Horror has a new home.

After Charles Forsyth was sent to the electric chair for a crime he didn't commit, he forever haunts the prison where he was executed. Flash forward several years when the prison is reopened, under the control of its new warden Eaton Sharpe, a former security guard who framed Charlie. When prisoners are ordered to break down the wall to the execution room, they unknowingly release the angry spirit of Charles Forsyth, a powerful being distributing his murderous rage to all, leading up to the Warden himself.
Supernatural HorrorPrison RevengeViolent Specter80s HorrorGore and Practical EffectsClaustrophobic AtmosphereUnjust ExecutionRevenge From BeyondBrutal Punishment

Crew

Directed by:
Renny Harlin, Thomas Johnston
Written by:
C. Courtney Joyner
Produced by:
Charles Band, Danny Fisher, Irwin Yablans
Composed by:
Richard Portman, Fred Wasser, Richard Band

Sequels and Prequels

No sequels or prequels available

Media

Questions about Prison

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream Prison legally?

GoodWatch doesn't know of a legal streaming option for Prison in the United States right now. Pick another country in the Where to Watch section to check elsewhere.

Is Prison worth watching?

40
WeakGoodWatch score

Reviews are weak, with a GoodWatch score of 41/100 (IMDb 5.8, Rotten Tomatoes 40%, and Metacritic 47). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.

What is Prison rated?

RViolenceDisturbing imagery

It's rated R in the United States. Content advisories: violence and disturbing imagery.

How long is Prison?

1 h 42 min

Prison runs 1 h 42 min.

Do critics and audiences agree on Prison?

Critics44
Audiences46

Yes. Critics average 44 and audiences 46 out of 100, so both groups see Prison much the same way.

Was Prison a box office hit?

Budget$4 million
Box office$354,704

No. It cost about $4 million to make and earned $354,704 worldwide, 9% of its budget.

What language is Prison in?

English

It was made in English. Produced in United States.

In how many countries can I watch Prison?

4ESITSMVA

GoodWatch finds legal streaming, rental, or purchase options for Prison in 4 countries. Pick any of them in Where to Watch to see the local services.

What tropes does Prison use?

Catapult NightmareDecoy ProtagonistLarge HamKarmic DeathAnti-HeroRain of BloodAsshole VictimHeartbeat SoundtrackWhat Happened to the Mouse?Kill It with FirePrison RiotScary Black Manand 25 more

TV Tropes lists 37 storytelling tropes for Prison, including Catapult Nightmare, Decoy Protagonist, Large Ham.