Riveting prison film not hindered by the usual Hollywood conventions. It's brutal, tense and very skilfully put together. It simply works on all levels.
I wouldn't go so far as to say this film is realistic, but it breathes a kind of realism. There are no pretty people here, there is no mercy or compassion and that is what gives this film its strength.
Highly recommended for anyone who likes their films rough around the edges.

Very solid and tense film about a man who wakes up to his worst nightmare: being a prison guard trapped among rioting inmates. He uses his cunning to get in with the leader, Malamadre, and becomes a player in this giant mess. To its credit, this film takes a lot of risks and isn't afraid to get nasty. It also avoids being too predictable and doesn't tack on a bullshit happy ending (as I'm sure the Hollywood remake will). Luis Tosar is magnetic and a lot of fun to watch as Malamadre.

That said, there are a few bothersome aspects like how quickly and deeply Malamadre accepts this questionable new face and how someone as "alpha-male" as him would allow anyone to question him- let alone upstage him. Also, the visuals are a bit flat (which, I guess is a pitfall for prison films). Despite all that, I definitely recommend it for all the reasons above.

This Spanish prison movie does what most prison movies struggle to do - it completley avoids the stereotypical sodomy scene.

This review reportedly contains spoilers. I can handle the truth.

Pretty good. Very intense and gripping. Tosar playing prison riot ringleader Malamadre is quite cracking as it is menacing at the same time. Yet, Argentinian actor Alberto Ammann steals the show. Literally. There is some superb character and plot development in Cell 211. Loved the second half of the movie, it's extremely powerful and sweeping. Additionally, there's some social criticism in it too, even though the focus is layed on Ammann's Juan Oliver, the life-threatening circumstances/ situation in the prison, and the chemistry between him and Tosar's Malamadre. I liked it a lot.

'Celda 211' no solo es un de los mejores thrillers carcelarios que existen, sino también una de las mejores películas españolas de los últimos años.
Luís Tosar consigue con su Malamadre un personaje para el recuerdo, dando un recital interpretativo memorable.

This review reportedly contains spoilers. I can handle the truth.

Pretty good. Very intense and gripping. Tosar playing prison riot ringleader Malamadre is quite cracking as it is menacing at the same time. Yet, Argentinian actor Alberto Ammann steals the show. Literally. There is some superb character and plot development in Cell 211. Loved the second half of the movie, it's extremely powerful and sweeping. Additionally, there's some social criticism in it too, even though the focus is layed on Ammann's Juan Oliver, the life-threatening circumstances/ situation in the prison, and the chemistry between him and Tosar's Malamadre. I liked it a lot.

I think this movie is just amazing i love prison movies even the bad ones but this one is amazing ones just has an amazing but interesting story with a guard that has to become a inmate just to survive and the acting was amazing. I loved this movie and one i will rewatch in the future.

Excellent and intense prison thriller.

Loved rooting for the characters, even though I knew they were doomed. Malamadre is unforgettable.

Tight Spanish thriller about a new prison guard having to pass as prisoner during a riot outbreak. Gang leader Luis Tosar (While you were Sleeping) carries the show with gripping charisma. Really enjoyable if you can forgive the melodramatic plot turn.