“You can’t look forward without looking back.” That’s a valuable piece of advice given to the protagonist of “Alex Wheatle,” but it’s also a summation of what director and co-writer Steve McQueen is doing with his extraordinary “Small Axe” series.
With its vivid portrayals of the horrors of institutionalization, “Alex Wheatle” is perhaps most reminiscent — so far — of the McQueen audiences have come to know in films like “Hunger” and “12 Years a Slave.” But even as its lead character endures physical and psychological torment at the hands of authorities, the film is very much of a piece with the ebullience of “Small Axe,” as the ongoing themes of community, music and defiance play a huge role in the story.
The real-life Wheatle published his first novel in 1999, but the film begins in 1981, with Alex going to prison for his role in the Brixton Riots, in which...
With its vivid portrayals of the horrors of institutionalization, “Alex Wheatle” is perhaps most reminiscent — so far — of the McQueen audiences have come to know in films like “Hunger” and “12 Years a Slave.” But even as its lead character endures physical and psychological torment at the hands of authorities, the film is very much of a piece with the ebullience of “Small Axe,” as the ongoing themes of community, music and defiance play a huge role in the story.
The real-life Wheatle published his first novel in 1999, but the film begins in 1981, with Alex going to prison for his role in the Brixton Riots, in which...
- 11/30/2020
- by Alonso Duralde
- The Wrap
Similar News
‘Night Court’ Renewed for Season 3 at NBC
- 5/3/2024
- by Loree Seitz
- The Wrap
Mike Flanagan in Talks to Direct ‘Exorcist’ Sequel for Universal, Blumhouse
- 5/3/2024
- by Adam Chitwood
- The Wrap
Paramount, Skydance Exclusive Talks Window Likely to Close Without a Deal, So What Happens Next?
- 5/3/2024
- by Lucas Manfredi
- The Wrap
Priscilla Presley’s Dating History: From Robert Kardashian To Marco Garibaldi, Here’s A List Of Men Elvis Presley’s Ex-Wife Dated After Her Split From The King Of Rock & Roll
- 12/17/2023
- by Esita Mallik
- KoiMoi
Rachel Brosnahan Says "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel"'s Finale Was "the Perfect Way to End"
- 6/1/2023
- by Alicia Geigel
- Popsugar.com
MIPTV 2023 Takeaways: Drama Boom is Bust But Reality TV Offers a Lifeline
- 4/19/2023
- by Scott Roxborough
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
New Black Movies Coming to Netflix in 2023
- 5/2/2024
- by Shanelle Genai
- Tudum - Netflix
“I didn’t say yes right away”: Daisy Ridley’s Story of Returning to Star Wars is the Literal Definition of Manifesting That Will Blow Your Mind
- 4/26/2024
- by Nishanth A
- FandomWire
‘Back to Black’ Star Jack O’Connell on Playing Amy Winehouse’s Ex-Husband Blake Fielder-Civil: ‘I Understood the Type of Geezer That He Is’
- 4/11/2024
- by Alex Ritman
- Variety Film + TV
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.
More to explore
Box Office: Ryan Gosling’s ‘Fall Guy’ Makes $3.15 Million in Previews
- 5/3/2024
- by Jordan Moreau
- Variety - Film News
A24 Scoops Up Adam Wingard Action Movie ‘Onslaught’
- 5/2/2024
- by Borys Kit
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Kristen Stewart, Oscar Isaac to Star in Vampire Thriller ‘Flesh of the Gods’ for ‘Mandy’ Filmmaker
- 5/2/2024
- by Borys Kit
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Paul Rudd & Nick Jonas To Star In Musical Comedy ‘Power Ballad’; Filming Underway In Dublin With John Carney Directing — Cannes Market Hot Project
- 5/2/2024
- by Andreas Wiseman, Matt Grobar and Diana Lodderhose
- Deadline Film + TV
‘Cobra Kai’ Season 6 to Be Split Into Three Parts: Final Season Kicks Off in July, Series Finale Set for 2025
- 5/2/2024
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety - TV News
Michelle Yeoh to Receive Presidential Medal of Freedom
- 5/3/2024
- by Todd Spangler
- Variety - TV News
Meryl Streep Set to Receive Cannes Honorary Palme D’Or
- 5/2/2024
- by Etan Vlessing
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Mel Brooks, Quinta Brunson To Be Honored At Peabody Awards
- 5/2/2024
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Rosie O’Donnell Joins ‘And Just Like That’ for Season 3
- 5/2/2024
- by Carly Thomas
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Daniel Zirilli Dies: Prolific Director Of Action Films And Music Videos Was 58
- 5/2/2024
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
Kristen Stewart, Oscar Isaac to Star in Vampire Thriller ‘Flesh of the Gods’ for ‘Mandy’ Filmmaker
- 5/2/2024
- by Borys Kit
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Paul Rudd & Nick Jonas To Star In Musical Comedy ‘Power Ballad’; Filming Underway In Dublin With John Carney Directing — Cannes Market Hot Project
- 5/2/2024
- by Andreas Wiseman, Matt Grobar and Diana Lodderhose
- Deadline Film + TV
Anthony Hopkins to Play Composer George Frideric Handel in ‘The King of Covent Garden’ Biopic
- 5/2/2024
- by Alex Ritman
- Variety - Film News
‘Never Look Away’ Review: Lucy Lawless Directs Fascinating Documentary on Death-Defying Photojournalist Margaret Moth
- 5/1/2024
- by Joe Leydon
- Variety - Film News
Quentin Dupieux’s ‘Daaaaaalí!’ Bought by Music Box for U.S. Distribution (Exclusive)
- 5/2/2024
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety - Film News
Box Office: Ryan Gosling’s ‘Fall Guy’ Makes $3.15 Million in Previews
- 5/3/2024
- by Jordan Moreau
- Variety - Film News
Thunderbolts* Star Olga Kurylenko On That Mysterious Asterisk: "They Changed A Few Things"
- 5/2/2024
- ComicBookMovie.com
Universal’s Leonardo da Vinci Film to Be Directed by ‘All of Us Strangers’ Helmer Andrew Haigh (Exclusive)
- 5/2/2024
- by Tatiana Siegel
- Variety Film + TV
Emma Stone, Nathan Fielder and A24 to Produce ‘Checkmate,’ Ben Mezrich’s Chess Scandal Story
- 5/2/2024
- by Angelique Jackson
- Variety - Film News
Mattel’s ‘Masters of the Universe’ Moves From Netflix to Amazon for Summer 2026 Release, Travis Knight to Direct
- 5/2/2024
- by Angelique Jackson
- Variety - Film News
James Corden and Ruth Jones Confirm ‘Gavin and Stacey’ Christmas Episode: ‘It’s Official!’
- 5/3/2024
- by Ellise Shafer
- Variety - TV News
Robin Wright-Led ‘The Girlfriend’ Ordered To Series At Prime Video; Olivia Cooke, Laurie Davidson & Waleed Zuaiter Also Star
- 5/2/2024
- by Rosy Cordero
- Deadline Film + TV
‘Knuckles’ Paramount+ Series Sets Platform Record With Over 4 Million Hours Viewed
- 5/2/2024
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
Rosie O’Donnell Joins ‘And Just Like That’ for Season 3
- 5/2/2024
- by Carly Thomas
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
‘Emily The Criminal’: John Patton Ford To Turn His 2022 Crime Thriller Into A TV Series, But Aubrey Plaza Not Returning To Star
- 5/2/2024
- by Ned Booth
- The Playlist