The film “The Mustang” tells the compelling tale of Matthias Schoenaerts, who is imprisoned and admonished but still unable to manage his inner demons. The drama movie from 2019 captures the internal chaotic frenzy. The film, which was directed by Laure de Clermont-Tonnerre, follows Matthias as he progresses from being unable to express his emotions to accepting reality and becoming a better man. The touching tale at the centre of this gripping narrative emphasises the bond between a man and his untamed horse.
The film, which stars Jason Mitchell, Gideon Adlon, Connie Britton, and Bruce Dern, is about Matthias Schoenaerts’ experience in jail and his path to recovery after joining the prison inmate programme that pairs prisoners with wild horses to help them get back on their feet. If “The Mustang’s” gritty and raw themes piqued your interest in the same way, here is a selection of films that you should watch next. Many of these films, including “The Mustang,” are available on Netflix, Hulu, or Amazon Prime.
A Prophet (2009)
‘A Prophet’ focuses on the never-ending problems in the life of Malik El Djebena, a criminal committed to a French jail, and emphasises these struggles. In the movie, he joins a gang, and then faces difficulties in prison that force him to consider conflicts and the value of human life. It is intense and gritty because it is built around a melancholy premise of suffering and survivalism. Tahar Rahim, Niels Arestrup, and Adel Bencherif are among the actors in the Jacques Audiard-helmed film. If the cruel yet compelling notion of “The Mustang” caught your attention, you’ll likely find “A Prophet” to be a similar tale.
American History X (1998)
Following the life of neo-Nazi Derek Vinyard, “American History X” tells the story of a prisoner’s transformation in an effort to save his brother and resolve family problems. The frightening premise of the film not only examines serious social problems, but also finds a way to incorporate aspects of family and self-perception. The movie is directed by Tony Kaye and stars Edward Norton, Edward Furlong, Ethan Suplee, Fairuza Balk, and Stacy Keach. It has many of the gravity-defying features that captivated audiences to “The Mustang,” making “American History X” the ideal film to watch afterward.
Bad Boys (1983)
The film “Bad Boys” illustrates how life may be a bed of thorns by showcasing the abrasive conditions of the streets and the dull but dangerous surroundings of the prison. In the film, which stars Sean Penn, Esai Morales, Clancy Brown, Robert Lee Rush, and Ally Sheedy, Mick O’Brien, age 16, ends up in juvenile hall. Rick Rosenthal’s film captures the moral judgements that determine whether or not the status quo must be upheld. If you thought the notion of “The Mustang” to be energising, “Bad Boys” will present various similar themes and make for an enjoyable viewing.
Birdman of Alcatraz (1962)
“Birdman of Alcatraz” is a potent novel that shows compassion and hopelessness in earnest. It tells the experience of a prisoner named Robert Stroud who is given a solitary confinement sentence for the murder of a prison guard. But while confined and without much to live for, Stroud discovers an odd friend in a sick bird that he helps recover from.
As a result, he develops a passion for birds and excels as an ornithologist. directed by John Frankenheimer and starring Burt Lancaster, Karl Maiden, Thelma Ritter, Neville Brand, and Telly Savalas. The similarities between this film and “The Mustang,” including a man dedicating himself to the care and improvement of another human, make it the ideal film to see after “The Mustang.”
Dead Man Walking (1995)
The film “Dead Man Walking,” which provokes viewers’ opinions on moral issues as well as emotions, tells the narrative of Matthew Poncelet, a man on death row who is getting close to being put to death. In order to rediscover tranquilly and make another petition to the court, he calls Sister Helen Prejean, a nun.
Tim Robbins’ film, starring Susan Sarandon and Sean Penn, follows a nun who not only consoles a condemned murderer on death row but also discovers a way to relate to the families of the victims. The Mustang’s story of second chances inspired viewers, and they will undoubtedly find “Dead Man Walking” captivating for its capacity to examine forgiveness and compassion.
Hunger (2008)
This Steve McQueen-helmed drama film, starring Michael Fassbender and Liam Cunningham, tells the tale of Bobby Stands, a member of the Provisional Irish Republic Army who led Irish republican prisoners on a hunger strike to reclaim their political status after it had been taken away by the English government.
The film emphasises a spiritual viewpoint in addition to the physical implications of an endless hunger strike, adding another chilling layer to the already gripping plot. If you appreciated the never-ending struggles the protagonist in “The Mustang” encountered, you’ll undoubtedly find “Hunger” to be a potent story of general change.
Kiss of the Spider Woman (1985)
Another touching story of two men who, despite having nothing in common, discover they have something in common. While one is a political revolutionary and the other is gay, they discover that despite having divergent ideologies, they can still find common ground via their shared love of films. The film, which is directed by Hector Babenco and stars William Hurt, Raul Julia, and Sonia Braga, not only captures the effervescence of the human spirit but also tells a depressing story. If you were captivated by the protagonists’ growth-related trip in “The Mustang,” you’ll be as fascinated by the unlikely friendship and relationship between them in “Kiss of the Spider Lady.”
The Shawshank Redemption (1994)
This well-known story is about Andy Dufresne, a guy who was given two life sentences in jail, and his quest for atonement. The story tells a tale of transition, poignancy, and grim reality that makes for an engrossing read. The film follows the characters’ development, anguish, and misery over the course of nineteen years as Andy befriends Red and alters his reality in prison.
The Shawshank Redemption, directed by Frank Darabont and starring Tim Robbins, Morgan Freeman, Clancy Brown, Bob Gunton, and Gil Bellows, is the ideal film to watch after “The Mustang” because to its reverent themes of atonement.
The film “Dead Man Walking,” which provokes viewers’ opinions on moral issues as well as emotions, tells the narrative of Matthew Poncelet, a man on death row who is getting close to being put to death. In order to rediscover tranquilly and make another petition to the court, he calls Sister Helen Prejean, a nun.
