Why so much hype?

I gave it a 7.5 out of 10

A Brilliant Conflict

If you're interested in the topic at hand, you should just watch it and judge yourself because the reviews have gone very biased by people that didn't even watch it and just hate (or love) the creator. I liked it, it was well written, narrated, and directed and it was about a topic that interests me.

Based on a true story. Habitual offender Robert Stewart (Leeshon Alexander) was placed in the same cell as Zahid Mubarek (Aymen Hamdouchi). Robert is a psychotic racist who talks to himself. The results weren't good. The film has some flashbacks to an abused childhood, but it is mostly Robert talking to himself. The film was interesting for a while, except there are only so many conversations I can watch a person have with themselves before I get bored, and this film definitely crossed the line. Did I mention Robert talks to himself?Guide: F-bomb. No sex or nudity.

This movie is from murderer's perspective. It shows the Xenophobia and racism with good cinematography. I have personally faced someone like Stewart (a weed smoker & use to think and talk to himself), he threatened me in past. However, it wasn't in prison. Prison's aren't the only place where hatred is spread, there are many other places. I hope one day we become humans and forget our differences. These things happen at workplace, residences, etc. However, not everyone is same. But sometimes those responsible for checking these issues ignore the guidelines and are often not punished or disciplined. I want to thank the production team for at least bringing these issues into light in form of a great movie with entertainment.

Just another morning at Feltham Young Offenders at day break . A officer does his rounds but upon looking in to a cell he finds young offender Robert Stewart has murdered his cellmate Zahid Mubarek . This film tells of the events that led up to the murder Based on a true story of a senseless murder my IMDb peer EuroGary suggests the film should have tried a bit harder . I've got to disagree because despite having a flaw which I will get to in a moment this isn't a film that's chosen any easy routes to tell a story . The easy option would have been for the production team doing a docudrama type of movie . Considering there's very little budget available and has a mainly static setting director Antony Petrou and screenwriter Leeshon Alexander have used a lot of imagination in telling much of the story in a surreal expressionistic style where much of the exposition takes place via Stewart as a literal split personality and as a film projection suddenly appearing on a wall . Add to all this a striking musical soundtrack by Fred Portelli that is assuredly unsettling and you've got a film that lives up to the tagline of psychological horror which creeps under your skin and stays there As good as all this is there is a fly in the ointment and that is not only does Leeshon Alexander write the screenplay but also stars in the role as Robert Stewart . Now I'm sure Mr Alexander is a good guy in real life and it probably shows on screen . Take a look at the real life Robert Stewart and the blood instantly chills and that alone should deter any youngster from committing the smallest misdemeanor . Being an actor no doubt meant that Alexander's performance is the dominating central element of WE ARE MONSTER and while this would have worked on the stage in a dynamic way it's rather negated in what is effectively an expressionistic horror movie . Sadly even here Alexander's performance isn't really strong enough to carry the film in the way the actor/writer envisaged . I found the "taunting alter-ego Stewart" just a little too self conscious and mannered to be absolutely disturbing and was often aware that I was watching an actor play a racist psycho rather than a real life monster . This is a pity you can see what the film is trying to do but doesn't do it in an entirely successful way

When I had heard that this movie was being released I was quite curious to see what it was going to be like: was it going to be a hard hitting truth and highlight the systematic failures of a UK prison system, which allowed a young man to be murdered in cold blood or was it going to be a limp drama which exonerated the guilty in their part? Well, when I saw the first 10 minutes I nearly switched off, as I soon realised that it was from the murderers perspective and I did not want to hear it. For what ever reason, I kept watching and I became drawn in by the surreal surroundings, brought to life with brilliant cinematography and effects and with a very well written story, I slowly regressed into the mind of a seriously disturbed individual.I know for sure that what really happened was nothing like the film, as the film missed out quite a lot of what really happened because I was part of the Inquiry into the Death of Zahid Mubarak 2006.Even so, I must admit the story was well written and it made great entertainment and at the same time it has brought Zahid back into the minds of the public. One day justice will be served and those responsible will be brought to book.I recommend this movie not just for it's subject matter but for it's accomplishments and they are a well written storyline, great cinematography, and very well acted.