Felon poster & wallpaper
Get movie widget Recommend it Add to Favorites

Stephen Dorff, Val Kilmer, Harold Perrineau Jr., Anne Archer, Nick Chinlund ... see more see more... , Sam Shepard , Marisol Nichols , Johnny Lewis , Nate Parker , Ric Roman Waugh

A loving husband and father finds his promising future transformed into a waking nightmare when he's convicted of involuntary manslaughter after accidentally killing the burglar who broke into his hom... read more read more...e in this gritty prison drama starring Stephen Dorff and Val Kilmer. Wade Porter (Dorff) would have done anything to protect his family, and when they were threatened he did what any caring family man would have done. But somehow everything went wrong, and now Wade has been sentenced to spend three years in a maximum-security prison. It's a place where the rules of society have been all but forgotten, and in addition to sharing a cell with a notorious mass murderer (Kilmer), Wade somehow incurs the wrath of the sadistic head prison guard (Harold Perrineau). Now, in order to survive the series of vicious beatings orchestrated for the amusement of the guards, Wade realizes that in order to survive the block and get back to his family he will have to become the toughest felon of them all. But even if Wade does manage to live through this harrowing ordeal, what will be left of that loving family man once he's finally released back into civilized society? ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Flixster Users

82% liked it

12,782 ratings

Critics

61% liked it

23 critics

R, 1 hr. 42 min.

Directed by: Ric Roman Waugh

Release Date: July 17, 2008

Invite friends to see

DVD Release Date: July 18, 2008

Get It:

Stats: 1,772 reviews

report incorrect info

Photos

johnny lewis as snowman Felon Felon Felon Felon
Upload a Photo | View All Felon Photos

Your Rating


clear rating

Flixster Reviews (1,772)

  • garyX
    January 18, 2011
    garyX
    A construction worker kills a home invader and finds himself incarcerated in a maximum security prison with hardcore lifer who teaches him the ins and outs of prison politics. On the surface, Felon is a typical gangbanger vs. skinhead/shower rape prison drama, but it is in fact s... read moreurprisingly sophisticated. Stephen Dorff puts in a great performance as the "hero" who is not your usual "innocent man fighting an unjust system" from cliche and it shows in a believable way how a man who is decent at heart could become institutionalized. Val Kilmer is also excellent as his charismatic cellmate who knows that he will never be released and it shows prison not only from the point of view of the inmates, but also its effects on the guards and those left on the outside. It reminded me a little of Traffic for this reason and in a similar way frames its themes within a story that could be considered contrived, but its structure provides a solid framework that means it can avoid becoming desperately bleak and has a satisfying conclusion that doesn't get too schmaltzy. A real surprise for me and one of the best prison films I've seen in a long while.
  • 76Majikat
    May 5, 2010
    76Majikat
    A pleasant find, thought this was going to be a full on Action style film, with over the top performances, instead we have a pretty naturally acted, fairly realistic Prison Drama.

    A survivial of the fittest tale of man destined to serve his sentance, by unfortunate circumstanc... read moree. Even Val Kilmer was better in this role than most.

    Steven Dorff is back on top with the performance in this film.
  • puffchunk
    March 25, 2010
    puffchunk
    Prison movies are my favorite just because they scare the crap out of me. And what could make a prison movie better than Stephen Dorff and an old gruff Val Kilmer? I liked that Nick Chinlund plays a good guy (sort of) for once. Harold Perrineau once again plays an asshole real... read morely well. Pretty good stuff all around. I'm glad it didn't have an escape from prison ending like 99% of these movies do.
  • LitelBluHli
    March 16, 2010
    LitelBluHli
    I really liked this movie for some odd reason. As usual, the guy picked it out...so I figured it would be a "guy" movie. BUT! Turns out...it was entertaining.
  • CloudStrife84
    November 28, 2009
    CloudStrife84
    This is a great example of how a movie can be amazingly captivating, and ascend to impressive heights, without as much as a single explosion, car chase or CGI effect. The story is very reminiscent of The Shawshank Redemption, only more violent, gritty and realistic. Most o... read moref the actors (apart from Val Kilmer, who here gives one of his best-ever performances) are quite unknown, but I thought that worked in the movie's favor, as it added to the authenticity factor. It's just boggles me how a film as brilliant as this one has received so little notice and publicity. I had never heard of it myself, up until about a week ago when I was recommended to see it. And I certainly don't regret that I did. Because this is, without question, one of the best prison flicks I've ever seen. Incredibly engaging and riveting, and with a ending that was both believable and satisfying.
  • LorenzoVonMatterhorn
    January 6, 2009
    LorenzoVonMatterhorn
    "No Rules. No Hope. No Way Out."

    A loving husband and father finds his promising future transformed into a waking nightmare when he's convicted of involuntary manslaughter after accidentally killing the burglar who broke into his home in this gritty prison drama starrin... read moreg Stephen Dorff and Val Kilmer. Wade Porter (Dorff) would have done anything to protect his family, and when they were threatened he did what any caring family man would have done. But somehow everything went wrong, and now Wade has been sentenced to spend three years in a maximum-security prison. It's a place where the rules of society have been all but forgotten, and in addition to sharing a cell with a notorious mass murderer (Kilmer), Wade somehow incurs the wrath of the sadistic head prison guard (Harold Perrineau). Now, in order to survive the series of vicious beatings orchestrated for the amusement of the guards, Wade realizes that in order to survive the block and get back to his family he will have to become the toughest felon of them all. But even if Wade does manage to live through this harrowing ordeal, what will be left of that loving family man once he's finally released back into civilized society?

    Review
    Brilliant film. Like Frankenheimer's The Birdman of Alcatraz (1962) this film moves well beyond the issues of prison reform and ponders the many complex facets of human violence.

    John Smith (Val Kilmer) says something like "Make no mistake. We are all in prison." The film successfully articulates that "this could be you" perspective, but in a much broader sense breaks down the barriers between "inside" and "outside" even as it authentically recreates the "inside." One is left with the feeling that we need to completely rethink the relationship between prison and society -- as well as re-evaluate the function of prisons.

    Also--Val Kilmer is spectacular; under playing a powerful role. In my book he is one of the best actors of his generation. One is tempted to assume that there must be some problem with his career because he is not making "blockbusters"--but I tend to think that he is consciously choosing to be an actor instead of a movie star. One of 2008's underrated films, a must-see.
  • deano
    December 29, 2008
    deano
    Interesting realistic prison films ever made as what I thought this tale in a film is like The Last Castle and In Hell. Actors Stephen Dorff, Sam Shepard and Val Kilmer are brilliant in their performances so are TV's Lost star Harold Perrineau as the meanest ... read morewarden. Director Ric Roman Waugh makes great use of the minimal locations, and genuinely infuses the film with a feeling of claustrophobia and extreme tension throughout.
  • TheMachinist
    December 23, 2008
    TheMachinist
    "Patience. Penance"

    Wow. "Felon" could easily be summoned with this simple word.

    "Felon" is a film about the corruption of the penitantiary system. But don't expect only violence and depressed fates of the imprisoned. Ric Roman Waugh's movie is also a gripping and effective st... read moreory about unconditional love.

    Stephen Dorff's character, Wade Porter, is sentenced for 3 years for killing a burglar. He gets taken away from his family and sent to the state prison. There he will find that survival is the only thing that matters if he wants to see his loved ones again. He befriends with John Smith, played by Val Kilmer. With his help, he might just succeed.

    The movie is a very impressive effort by Mr. Waugh. Without the great support by talented actors, "Felon" could be easily be buried into oblivion. Stephen Dorff's performance is somewhat spectacular and one of the highlights of 2008. The supporting actors also contribute with decent performances.

    The handheld, sometimes jerky camera places the viewer inside it all. In "Felon" this style works really well.

    "Felon" was a really good surprise and I certainly will remember this movie as a personal favourite of the 2008 movie year. With a film that belongs to the prison-themed genre, something groundbreaking is hard to accomplish, but still "Felon" deserves my recommendations.

    "Yes, prison desensitizes you. But it also forces you to see what's most important. Family. And loyalty"
  • roygutteridge
    October 30, 2008
    roygutteridge
    Does a better-than-average job,Tough, brutish prison drama with an easy windup, but good acting and an uncompromising take on the prison system.
  • phubbs1
    September 6, 2008
    phubbs1
    Excellent film with a good cast that all do really well with their roles, the best for me being Kilmer as a chunky, middle aged lifer who offers advice and experience to wet behind the ears Dorff. Perrineau is cold as the off the rails prison warden in charge of the shoe (area wh... read moreich houses the hard cases, like the hole) and support from various character actors all add a gritty realism to the prison setting which does make it pretty tense in places.

    The story isnt too original but its still very compelling (most prison stories are), and does make you feel nervous and insecure, you do get behind Dorff and you want him to survive but a rather predictable and neat ending does kinda mar the film which could of ended with a darker or less hollywood ending.

    Plenty of hard fighting and nasty schank usage makes the film feel grim and makes you taste that bitter feeling as you watch, the film is slightly in the style of a documentary in places, mainly in the prison sequences, and shows what does presumably happen for real, but there are the invitable 'movie' sequences which do add thrills but cheapen the realistic feel.

    Definatley one of Dorff's best films for along time

View All Felon Reviews

Critic Reviews

Ronnie Scheib
July 21, 2008
Ronnie Scheib, Variety

Stephen Dorff's powerhouse perf as an ordinary Joe trapped behind bars with warring ethnic psychopaths propels "Felon" well ahead of its expose/exploitation brethren while still avoiding the pious lea... Full Review

John Anderson
July 18, 2008
John Anderson, Newsday

Tough, brutish prison drama with an easy windup, but good acting and an uncompromising take on the prison system. Full Review

Stephen Holden
July 18, 2008
Stephen Holden, New York Times

Written and directed by Ric Roman Waugh, and filmed at the New Mexico State Penitentiary near Santa Fe, Felon is one of the most realistic prison films ever made.

Lou Lumenick
July 18, 2008
Lou Lumenick, New York Post

A good cast and disciplined direction add some distinction to Ric Roman Waugh's Felon, which is basically the old tale about an innocent man corrupted by a stay in prison. Full Review

Joe Neumaier
July 18, 2008
Joe Neumaier, New York Daily News

A subplot involving corrupt guards makes the movie even duller than the score that sounds like a rusty squeezebox. Full Review

Mark Olsen
July 18, 2008
Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times

For a film that seems to pride itself on its depiction of prison-reality, it feels extremely movie-phony. Full Review

Stephen Farber
July 17, 2008
Stephen Farber, Hollywood Reporter

Directed with pounding energy by Ric Roman Waugh and acted to the hilt by a cast comprising several of yesterday's stars proving their mettle, the movie delivers the thrills and emotion that prison mo...

Rex Reed
July 16, 2008
Rex Reed, New York Observer

The stuff that happens in a tense, taut new movie called Felon is nothing less than electrifying. Full Review

Ed Gonzalez
July 16, 2008
Ed Gonzalez, Village Voice

Felon gives everyone their tidy and expected due but outlines a realistic enough cycle of how a man's life can easily spiral out of his control. Full Review

Andrew L. Urban
November 14, 2008
Andrew L. Urban, Urban Cinefile

The plot expands and gets more complex as the story progresses, and the dramatic tension ratchets up Full Review

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Cast

More Like This

Click a thumb to vote on that suggestion, or add your own suggestions.

  • Dog Pound
    Dog Pound (100%)
  • American History X
    American History X (91%)
  • In Hell
    In Hell (100%)
  • The Shawshank Redemption
    The Shawshank Redemption (62%)

More Movies like Felon

Facts

No facts approved yet. Be the first

Felon : Watch Free on TV

Felon Trivia

  • Johnny Depps stars in the movie Blow(2001), in which he portrays the life of felon George Jung, what is his daughters name in the film?  Answer »
  • This actor was in these following movies: The Program Higher Learning Juice First Time Felon In Too Deep   Answer »
  • How much was the dress for the wedding going to cost in Felon ?  Answer »
  • Who runs second crew in Felon ?  Answer »
More Felon Trivia

Movie Quizzes

No quizzes for Felon. Want to create one?

Video Clips

Upload a Video |

All Felon Videos

Meet Other Fans

Add Felon to favorites

Recent News

Submit a Story |

View Felon News

Recent Lists

Make a List |

View All Lists

Most Popular Skin

No skins yet. Interested in creating one?