Beautiful Prison (2016) User Reviews

Ok...... just ok

[wildblueyonder · 5/10 · 18 October 2018]

Fairly predictable but not totally so... Decent but not great acting...

Can't for the life of me understand how anyone not directly involved in some way with this film could rate it 10... Its pretty annoying how many trumped up reviews there are on this site.

Still, it was watchable, though I wouldn't really call it a horror movie I guess there were some elements in there...

"You can't know how terrible I feel"

[hwg1957-102-265704 · 4/10 · 17 November 2020]

Is it a drama, a horror or a comedy? Is it all three or is it neither? The mixture of genres make this an unsatisfying movie. It starts off quite well but from the car crash onwards it goes in all kinds of directions and at the end one thinks, is that it? It would also have been better with better acting though I did like Jason Riley as the 'Man In Black' the few times he appeared. The cinematography by Chad Terpstra was the best part of the film. But looks aren't everything.

So much, still so little

[hi_im_manic · 3/10 · 27 June 2018]

3.4 Stars. The movie suffers from frenetic ambitions. It's trying to be too many things at the same time and lacking the aptitude to be very good at any of them. As more than one reviewer has said, it's impossible to categorize it with it's many facets. It's a drama, a (campy) comedy, action, thriller, romance, and horror. It's a Frankenstein.

Committing to one genre, or even aiming to be a hybrid would have been a much better strategy. This movie should have been a Drama-Thriller, period. Instead, we have a confused monster with a case of multiple personality disorder. The acting was largely sub-par, but it's far from the worst I've seen. The Razzie here goes to the actress who plays the lead characters sister. Drama is clearly not her forte, that's all her character had to work with unfortunately. Maybe she'd be better at comedy because she did get laughs, even though they were unintentional. Unbelievable performances are almost always attributed to the actors lack of skill or likability but many times it's really due to one of more factors like a crap script., lack of prep time/rehearsals, or an inflexible or unskilled director. Whatever the cause(s) may have been the end result was just not that great. For the viewers, at some point I think it would have made sense to make some scenes more distinguished from the others. A starker, visible shift between the types of scenes would have been very nice. I'm absolutely not going to to say anything more specific, but to those who've seen the film and to those to created it, you know what I'm saying.

There were elements that I really liked and thought were well done. I had to check imdb to see where in Mexico the film was filmed but to my surprise (and still suspended disbelief) it said Michigan. I am expecting to hear that some scenes were in fact filmed in Mexico, but even so, the seamless way that these locales are brought together is nothing short of commendable. The camera-work was quite good, but the scenes still can only be as good as what the director can envisions/permits. The final minutes manage to be genuinely bitter-sweet. I like the story!

Worst movie ever.

[bobbytorick · 1/10 · 14 July 2016]

Is this some sort of joke where people are rating bad movies well?? Seriously this has to be one of the worst movies I've ever seen. Never in my life have I regretted watching a movie so badly that I've decided to comment on IMDb about it. Everything about this movie was terrible. The acting was forced and sub-par, the plot could've been cool but they took the absolute worst path possible, and the "effects" were absolute garbage. I feel like Simon Cowell right now criticizing someone's poor performance. Spare yourself, do not watch this movie. If you actually like this movie, I feel bad for you because there are thousands of better choices out there.

Helps if you are brain damaged.

[jerryadlington · 1/10 · 3 May 2018]

Before I stopped watching after 40 minutes, I could see that something was developing. It was just as sick but in a different direction. Acting was excellent as was the camera work. If you like sick horror, you will love it.

This film gave my wife nightmares for weeks

[dominicsedillo · 10/10 · 26 July 2016]

This film scared the heck out of my wife when we saw it at the premiere at a local independent theater. It gave her nightmares for weeks after viewing. So right off I am recommending this film.

I have seen many horror films in my time. I actually don't even really consider this a horror film (in the traditional sense). This film is marketed as a horror film and definitely has horror elements, but there is a deeper story inside of it.

The most terrifying things in the film are not the "jump scares" but the haunting images that linger with you afterwards.

The film successfully gives you the sense of dread and unease that don't happen a lot in modern horror films. You can tell there are a lot of throwbacks to early 70's-era horror because the story builds before battering you with scary images.

The entire cast is great and every person has a reason to be there; there is no fodder or filler even in the extras. Go check it out!

Genre Bending Done Right!

[lickerlovermd · 10/10 · 3 June 2014]

It is rare you find a smart movie that keeps you guessing and then delivers at the end. Still picking up peaces of my mind after this one. Style wise there is so much to love here, it feels like Clive Barker meets Fincher. The story is captivating from beginning to end despite the fact that there's more blood in this movie then I'm use to, it never took away from the story but only added to it. Some times your not sure where the director is going with the story but then he gives you a little bit more and keeps you entertained till the final frame where he delivers his final blow that will keep you thinking for days. The score in its self is very interesting as the genre bending story progresses nothing ever feels lost or out of place. Not sure what will become of Beautiful Prison all I know is that I Frickin loved it.

Thrilling

[andrewp-46450 · 10/10 · 20 December 2016]

Beautiful Prison is a movie that keeps you on the edge of your seat from beginning till end! It is well written, directed and produced. The story has excellent twists and turns that leaves you wondering what will happen next. The cinematography is dark but goes well with the story. This movie is a zombie loving, romance novel, with the twists and turns that make for good pictures. It also has all the blood and gore you could wish for if you are really into the horror genre or if you like having bad dreams in general. I can't wait for more movies like this from such a crazy talented writer/director! What a new and fresh perspective!

Deep and Unique

[info-65919 · 10/10 · 10 January 2017]

There was a very good story going on behind some great cinematography. It was well produced and I liked the "real world" feel in the characters and location. Not a Hollywood glam movie but if you like suspense and a good story with deep meaning to ponder upon, than this one is for you.

Ben is a character to fall in love with and I'm sure many people can relate with him and the difficulties he faced, early in his life, and early in the movie. It is a bittersweet movie that shows the realness of human life and how those with disabilities and problems are often disregarded by others and society. Definitely a great psychological thriller that I'd watch again.

Under Rated Little Gem

[neodouble · 10/10 · 9 November 2023]

One of the best unexpected films I've seen in a long time. The plot line and trailer doesn't do it justice. What seems to be another horror mystery film turns out to be a journey taking you through the incidents of Ben. We follow his life finding out what happened to him and what then happens, where he gains his power to take control of his surroundings, as he then encounters zombies, heroines, and things from the other realm. That, without any spoilers, is the tip of the ice berg, as it gets deep, which all makes sense watching it to the end.

A superb haunting performance by Kaelin Stockwell who plays Ben. He just grows on you. Acting is all so natural, that at first you forget it is a film and start following his life. Maybe it's the style it is filmed in. It just gets your attention and takes you on this journey from one event to another. I didn't get bored or lose interest as I was taken on a journey I didn't know where I was going, completely captivated, taken on turns and twists ending up at the surprise destination!

Great performances all round. With Ernesto D'Alessio resembling a young Tyrone Power. Angela his sister played by Kristen Barrett, Jerry, his best friend by Benjamin Chamberlain, and the personality, Jubilee, by Leila Garza.

A very special unique independent film, not following the usual formula. Very much under rated. I'd give it a go! I loved it!

A discordant but intriguing thriller

[justnbeard · 8/10 · 15 January 2024]

Beautiful Prison is a movie written and directed by independent film maker Joel Vallie, someone I know from YouTube. It is about Ben, a mentally challenged man with a history of abuse who gets in a fight with his brother in law and is a victim of a tragic accident. He seems to have recovered better than ever but finds himself trapped in a dark situation and struggles to find his way out. The movie is pretty discordant at times but when you figure out what is going on it will make sense. Not sure how best to classify this movie genre wise, I would say a horror and thriller primarily but there is some comedy and romance elements too. It is available to watch for free on Tubi.