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Cruel & Unusual

  • 2014
  • Unrated
  • 1h 35m
IMDb RATING
6.6/10
1.8K
YOUR RATING
Cruel & Unusual (2014)
Trailer for Cruel & Unusual
Play trailer1:44
1 Video
14 Photos
Sci-FiThriller

Wrongly condemned for killing his wife, a man finds himself in a mysterious institution where he is sentenced to relive her death for eternity.Wrongly condemned for killing his wife, a man finds himself in a mysterious institution where he is sentenced to relive her death for eternity.Wrongly condemned for killing his wife, a man finds himself in a mysterious institution where he is sentenced to relive her death for eternity.

  • Director
    • Merlin Dervisevic
  • Writer
    • Merlin Dervisevic
  • Stars
    • David Richmond-Peck
    • Bernadette Saquibal
    • Michelle Harrison
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.6/10
    1.8K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Merlin Dervisevic
    • Writer
      • Merlin Dervisevic
    • Stars
      • David Richmond-Peck
      • Bernadette Saquibal
      • Michelle Harrison
    • 20User reviews
    • 7Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 6 wins & 4 nominations total

    Videos1

    Cruel & Unusual
    Trailer 1:44
    Cruel & Unusual

    Photos14

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    Top cast16

    Edit
    David Richmond-Peck
    David Richmond-Peck
    • Edgar
    Bernadette Saquibal
    Bernadette Saquibal
    • Maylon
    Michelle Harrison
    Michelle Harrison
    • Doris
    Monsour Cataquiz
    • Gogan
    Kyle Cassie
    Kyle Cassie
    • Lance
    Mary Black
    Mary Black
    • Facilitator
    Michael Eklund
    Michael Eklund
    • Julien
    Richard Harmon
    Richard Harmon
    • William
    Andy Thompson
    Andy Thompson
    • Counselor
    John Hainsworth
    • Old Man
    Jena Skodje
    Jena Skodje
    • Rebecca
    Jared Ager-Foster
    Jared Ager-Foster
    • Tyler
    Fraser Kirkland
    • Ryan
    Christina Jastrzembska
    Christina Jastrzembska
    • Older Doris
    David Milchard
    • New Inmate
    Gigi Jackman
    • Isabel
    • Director
      • Merlin Dervisevic
    • Writer
      • Merlin Dervisevic
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews20

    6.61.7K
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    Featured reviews

    8jdollak

    Unpredictable and manipulative

    There's a classic sense of horror to this story, something that seems vaguely like something that Terry Gilliam would have done. I'm hesitant to provide specific details about the story, but I can say this- It's unpredictable. Every time I thought I was certain about how things were going to play out, the story surprised me. It's manipulative, but not in a way that bothered me. You keep getting exposed to new information throughout, and you are forced to re-evaluate your perspective each time.

    It's a distressing, but also very uplifting exploration of human failings as well as our ability to force ourselves to rise above those failings.

    I realize I'm writing this review in a vague way. All I can say is that you should watch it. It very gradually ramps up, and the longer you watch, the more you'll want to see what happens.
    8mycoalem

    Imaginative story!

    I enjoyed this movie. My wife went to sleep after about twenty minutes. I tried to get her to watch it because the story was a worthwhile tale. The feeling of the beginning was kind of depressing. A lot of people might not want to give it a chance but the plot and ideas expressed are thoughtful. It was imaginative and compassionate. It had that Rashomon element, if you know what I mean. I don't want to say anymore. Just watch it if you enjoy conceptual stories.
    9Amatt_w

    Amazing.

    I Went for the premiere of this film in Taipei Golden Horse Film Festival. Everything is perfect, the performing of actors and actresses are persuasive, the story is simple in fact, but by the editing, it makes the plot more interesting and digging deeper. The philosophy of life and love in the film makes it worth seeing it again and again. The twists in the second half of the film leads the story to an unexpected touching ending. In the end, it turns out to be a movie warm and full of love. Really impressive, and it blows my mind. The movie score seems a little weak comparing to other aspects. In addition, for the first half, some scenes repeat too much times but reveals less. But those are not so important. Please go and see it.
    vchimpanzee

    Slow to achieve anything but eventually satisfying

    The summary of my comments was going to be "The Eighth Amendment prevents you from being forced to see this movie". It was pretty unpleasant for someone like me. but now that I know how it ends, it just takes patience and it's actually quite well done, which plenty of good acting and writing.

    I would say the standout performances come from Michael Eklund as Julien and Michelle Harrison as Doris. These are just the best because of what these characters do. Actually David Richmond-Peck as Edgar eventually makes an impression. He was good enough for most of the movie, but nothing spectacular. And yet at the end, He delivers. Julien is kind of a rebel and tries to help Edgar and be his friend, while at the same time being kind of a bully. Kind of like Eddie Haskell without the being charming to those in authority. Julien is the best character yet in this movie, but that will eventually change.

    At one point I think "Quantum Leap" fans will be very happy.

    The ending finally makes everything we have suffered through worth watching. It's actually quite amazing.

    If you like weird sci-fi with philosophical questions and confronting your guilt, this might be for you.
    7kathmummybear

    Little gem

    Very surprising !well written directed and acted !.stumbled upon this on prime well worth a watch

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    Related interests

    James Earl Jones and David Prowse in Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
    Sci-Fi
    Cho Yeo-jeong in Parasite (2019)
    Thriller

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The film seems to have two meanings to its title, cruel and unusual. The first obviously being the type of punishment each individual faces having to relive their horrible crimes everyday. But the second being the actual crimes themselves. Drowning children, mutulating and bludgening ones parents, committing suicide in front of ones own kids, all things cruel and unusual. Potentially saying the punishment matches the crime.
    • Quotes

      William: [standing in front of the group] I'm spreading deviled ham onto a roll when my father comes in and asks me how are things going at school. I say "fine", he says "fine" isn't very descriptive. I say "how are things" isn't very explicit. He tells me not to be smart with him, and I thrust the knife into his throat. Only it's not sharp, so it barely pierces his skin. Holding his throat, gulping for air, the look of shock in his eyes only lasts for a second, then it's anger. He says something, I think it's "what are you doing", but I can't be sure, so I drive the knife again. This time into his stomach. It penetrates, he falls to the ground, I straddle his body and I start digging into the area beneath his rib cage. I just go. After a while he stops struggling, and I'm too tired to continue. His entire abdominal area looks like a gaping bloody hole.

    • Connections
      References The Fifth Estate (1975)
    • Soundtracks
      Sweet Tides
      Performed by Thievery Corporation

      Written by Garza, Hilton and Ghelichkhani

      Courtesy of BMG/Chrysalis and ESL Music

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • April 5, 2014 (Taiwan)
    • Country of origin
      • Canada
    • Official sites
      • Official Facebook
      • Official site
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • 迴路人生
    • Filming locations
      • Aldergrove, British Columbia, Canada
    • Production companies
      • Bare Knuckle Pictures
      • Mad Samurai Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

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    • Budget
      • CA$1,000,000 (estimated)
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 35m(95 min)
    • Color
      • Color

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