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The Mill

  • 2023
  • 1h 46m
IMDb RATING
5.4/10
3.8K
YOUR RATING
Lil Rel Howery in The Mill (2023)
Watch Official Trailer
Play trailer1:34
1 Video
2 Photos
DramaMysterySci-FiThriller

A businessman mysteriously wakes up in an open-air prison cell with only an old grist mill. Forced to work as a beast of burden, he must find a way to escape before the birth of his child.A businessman mysteriously wakes up in an open-air prison cell with only an old grist mill. Forced to work as a beast of burden, he must find a way to escape before the birth of his child.A businessman mysteriously wakes up in an open-air prison cell with only an old grist mill. Forced to work as a beast of burden, he must find a way to escape before the birth of his child.

  • Director
    • Sean King O'Grady
  • Writer
    • Jeffrey David Thomas
  • Stars
    • Lil Rel Howery
    • Pat Healy
    • Karen Obilom
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    5.4/10
    3.8K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Sean King O'Grady
    • Writer
      • Jeffrey David Thomas
    • Stars
      • Lil Rel Howery
      • Pat Healy
      • Karen Obilom
    • 41User reviews
    • 16Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Videos1

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 1:34
    Official Trailer

    Photos1

    View Poster

    Top cast10

    Edit
    Lil Rel Howery
    Lil Rel Howery
    • Joe
    Pat Healy
    Pat Healy
    • Guard
    Karen Obilom
    Karen Obilom
    • Kate
    Patrick Fischler
    Patrick Fischler
    • Neighbor
    Getchie Argetsinger
    Getchie Argetsinger
    • Gertrude
    Jaiden K. Brown
    • Joe Jr.
    Blair Wilson
    • Shadow Joe
    Aliya Robinson
    • Shadow Kate
    Kevin D. Benton
    Kevin D. Benton
    • Mallard Office Worker
    • (uncredited)
    John Martineau
    • Mallard Human Resources
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • Sean King O'Grady
    • Writer
      • Jeffrey David Thomas
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews41

    5.43.8K
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    Featured reviews

    8HorrorFilmHellion

    Slave to the grind

    Had no idea what this movie was when I fired it up, and thought it was just going to be a straight up saw or cube genre horror flick. Its not far off from that, but its different. For those that have experienced being middle management at large growth corporations (in my case hi-tech) and have been subjected to their tactics, with management trees, illusion of choice, moving targets, unobtainable goals, and performance plans/metrics, (they left out ESG, DEI, volunteering, and encouraged donations) will relate to what this movie is relaying through its bleak surface level metaphor. Others will say, just leave or work somewhere else but also dont understand the golden handcuff stuff that makes it lucrative to continue to give them the best years of your lives in spite of the long hours and sleepless frustration. Either way, I thought it was simply demonstrated in an entertaining way with bleak atmosphere and a good caricature lead to transfer the emotion and frustration. Now, back to work.
    8shrivastvmayuri

    It was a tiring watch but diffrent

    While things like this has been done before where people have been kept in captivity and see how they behave basically how they break down but this was a one man show, 99% of the time one man show. And I felt multitude of things most important of which is GRATITUDE. Through out histories many many people had this worst, I am thankful I am allowed to use my agency. I felt trapped before and i could relate to the pain of Joe. We think just working hard will make things better but we forget we need to change the system too. I learned I will need to choose my environment too where I reside. It might be very disappointing movie because of ending but I think the point was never the ending , the point was the grinding.
    vn_larsen1

    Wow...that was bad.

    A wildly misguided and not at all subtle critique of capitalism, or "the grind" (like a mill. See not very subtle). Is anyone really stupid enough to believe this showing is even remotely related to actual capitalism? A trillion-dollar company, calling literal slaves their "employees", can do anything they want because the employee "didn't read the fine print" when signing their introduction paperwork. This director is one of those people who think modern day employees are slaves because they have to work for money instead of being handed everything for free. That even though the employees willing volunteered to work for the company and can leave at any time, the company is evil for making the person work. These kind people think of themselves as actual slaves, like the man in this movie, and there's nothing they can do to escape. That companies who make their employees work are literal slave masters forcing people to work so they aren't killed. Nevermind how incredibly obvious the metaphor, it's also just extremely inaccurate. However, I gave it 2 stars instead of just 1 because there is something to said about quotas and how there are definitely companies that do not reward employees that work hard and therefore give no incentive to continue working hard. That is a legitimate critique. Also, the ending was absolutely terrible. All that aside, Lil Rey cannot carry a movie by himself. He is comedic relief and that is where he shines. Also, what business manager working for a trillion-dollar company wears Nikes with their suit? I'm just not impressed at all.
    8alishab420

    Like BLACK MIRROR?! You'll LOVE this!!!

    Super suspenseful and VERY much like a Black Mirror episode, just movie length!! Really wild ride indeed!!

    The premise is wildly unique and there is no way you see the ending coming...

    I truly think that if you go into fairly with no forced expectations, you will really enjoy this!!

    I had NO clue what I was in for and I knew nothing about the movie before watching it... and I recommend you do the same!

    It definitely has moments that are scary, ONLY because they are teetering on the edge of realistic and possible!

    Rel did a great job with the character and it honestly keeps you guessing until the VERY end!

    Give it a go!
    7Malvenido

    Not bad! Reminded me of THE PLATFORM!

    "The Mill" is a cinematic gem that had me glued to my couch from start to finish. This suspenseful film masterfully unfolds a gripping storyline, gradually revealing its secrets, and culminating in a breathtaking plot twist that will leave you utterly astonished.

    From the very beginning, "The Mill" captivates the audience with its intriguing premise. Set in a small, seemingly peaceful room/building, the film immerses you in a world where secrets lurk behind every corner and wall which make t he atmosphere be thick with tension. It certainly gave me "The Platform" (Netflix) vibes!

    The characters in "The Mill" are well-crafted and our protagonist, Joe, did a great job in his role expressing different emotions.

    One of the movie's strongest aspects is its pacing. The plot unravels with precision, divulging key details and clues at the perfect moments. This gradual revelation of the story's secrets is what makes "The Mill" so enthralling. It keeps you guessing, piecing together the puzzle as the narrative cleverly unfolds.

    In conclusion, "The Mill" is an exceptional thriller that will keep you riveted to your couch throughout its runtime. Its suspenseful storytelling, well-developed characters, and jaw-dropping plot twist make it a must-watch for fans of the genre. Prepare to be enthralled, surprised, and utterly captivated by this cinematic tour de force.

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    Storyline

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    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      According to Sean King O'Grady, Lil Rel Howery chose not to know where the filming location was set and was literally blindfolded as he entered the set.
    • Quotes

      Joe: Is that a 'wow good' or a 'wow bad'?

    • Soundtracks
      The Nutcracker Suite Op. 71a - Dance of the Reed-Flutes
      Written by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky

      Courtesy of APM Music

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • October 9, 2023 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • El molino
    • Production companies
      • 20th Digital Studio
      • Altar Rock
      • Death Ground
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 46m(106 min)
    • Color
      • Color

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