On the Inside (I) (2011)

A decent but troubled young man is sent to a psychiatric institution for the criminally insane and soon finds himself in a fight for his life battling ghosts inside his head and very real enemies all around him.

Director:

D.W. Brown

Writer:

D.W. Brown

Stars:

Nick Stahl, Dash Mihok, Olivia Wilde

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Nick Stahl	...	Allen Meneric
Dash Mihok	...	Carl Tarses
Olivia Wilde	...	Mia Conlon
Pruitt Taylor Vince	...	Ben Marshal
Shohreh Aghdashloo	...	Dr. Lofton
Tariq Trotter	...	Tom Bogotus
Daniel Franzese	...	Paul Warren
Daniel London	...	Nathan Parks
Joanne Baron	...	Mrs. Standings
Haley Webb	...	Allen's Girlfriend
D.W. Brown	...	Bearded Man
Amy Attaway	...	Female Doctor
George Drennen	...	Mason
Lissa Brennan	...	Lisa
Rick Applegate	...	Policeman

Storyline

Allen Meneric is committed to a psychiatric institution for the criminally insane because of a brutal revenge murder. There he is forced to deal with the very ill and the dangerous until, as part of a socialization program, he is transferred to minimum security where he meets Mia, a beautiful bipolar female inmate. Ever haunted by his past, Allen seeks his redemption when sudden events demand that he protect Mia from the violence and chaos of the institution.

---

Plot Keywords:

murder | love | rape | prison life | female prisoner | 

---

Taglines:

There is no escaping the past.

---

Genres:

Drama | Thriller

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for violence and language

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

18 March 2011 (USA)

Also Known As:

Desde el interior

Filming Locations:

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$4,000,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Mike Wittlin Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

95 min

Color:

Color Color (35 mm version)

Did You Know?

Goofs

In the very last scene of the movie, when Mia is leaving the Northwood State prison, a very clear sign on the wall (on the left side) is saying "SHOP AND PARK". It doesn't make any sense in a prison parking lot.

User Reviews

Some of the greatest most superb acting I've ever seen!!!

Usually, I only review Horror films. However, in this case, I gladly make an exception. The first review I've seen for this film has been titled "I Don't Get Why This is Only a 5", which has really made me happy. Finally I'm not the only one to notice how painfully unfair some of the reviews and ratings are on this site.

On The Inside tells the story of a man locked up in an asylum for the criminally insane. The story and screenplay are interesting, compelling and realistic, giving the audience just the right amount of "suspension of disbelief". The build up in regards to some of the characters could have been slightly more elaborate, and the film altogether could have been longer, but considering the final product - Director/Writer D.W. Brown has done a great job.

The absolute best part in my opinion is the acting. Nick Stahl, whom I've only seen in Terminator 3, has been given a much greater challenge, to which he stood up beautifully. However, with all due respect, the supporting cast have been the ones to truly leave an impression on me. House MD's own Olivia Wilde, as beautiful as always, has really done a great job playing the role of Bi-Polar patient Mia, and Dash Mihok has done just as well in the role of murdering sociopath Carl Tarses. However, the Oscar obviously and most definitely goes to Pruitt Taylor Vince. The way he played the role of Ben Marshal has been no less than an inspiration. I honestly felt like standing up and applauding, and if I were to ever meet him - I'd sure like to shake his hand. Perhaps most of the audience, who have never seen the inside of an asylum before nor met the inhabitants, couldn't have really appreciated the fine delicate nuances of the superb acting and how realistically the cast have portrayed the characters, but it was truly amazing.

Perhaps the film could have used a more prominent twist in the plot, and altogether a longer story. However, all in all, not since Jack Nicklseon in "The Cuckoo's Nest" have we been blessed with such a fine work of art showing the lives of the criminally insane. I've been deeply impressed by "On The Inside", and would highly recommend it to anyone and everyone, if only for the superb acting!