‘Wasteman’ Trailer – David Jonsson and Tom Blyth Star in Cal McMau’s Brutal Prison Thriller

In Wasteman, the feature film directorial debut of Cal McMau, a vulnerable inmate’s hope for early release is threatened by a dangerous new cellmate.

Led by standout performances from David Jonsson (The Long Walk) and Tom Blyth (People We Meet on Vacation), the gripping thriller set inside a brutal prison unfolds as a tense psychological battle layered with intense violence, signaling a film that is as character-driven as it is unflinching.

Wasteman first premiered at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival, then went on to screen at other festivals, including the BFI London Film Festival. Following its UK release in February 2026, the film is set to open in U.S. theaters on April 17, 2026, via Vertigo Releasing.

Here is the story: Taylor is branded a “wasteman” by society, his family, and within prison walls. As he keeps his head down in a world defined by gangs and violence, the possibility of early parole offers a fragile hope for redemption. But when Dee, a volatile new cellmate, arrives, that chance begins to unravel. As Dee takes Taylor under his wing, a vicious attack tests their bond – forcing Taylor to choose between protecting Dee and his own parole chances.

In its review, The Guardian called Wasteman “a gripping and brutally violent British prison drama,” highlighting the “fierce and overwhelmingly convincing” performances at its center. Peter Bradshaw wrote, “Rising stars David Jonsson and Tom Blyth bring A-game performances for this brutally violent, gripping British prison movie, as lethal and nasty as a sharpened toothbrush.” He added, “The performances of Jonsson and Blyth are fierce and overwhelmingly convincing.”

Watch the official trailer for Wasteman above.