‘Animol’ Review: Knife-Edge Youth Prison Drama Featuring Stephen Graham Is a Tough Watch Tempered With Vulnerability, Heart and Hope
Hollywood Reporter
by David RooneyFebruary 15, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Ashley Walters, known for his role in *Adolescence*, makes a strong directorial debut with *Animol*, a gripping youth prison drama that reinvents the genre with emotional depth and psychological insight. The film follows Tut Nyuot as Troy, a new inmate at a Northeast England detention center, where he navigates the treacherous world of young offenders. Walters’ feature debut stands out for its raw tension, tenderness, and unexpected intimacy, setting it apart from formulaic prison dramas. While it doesn’t match the scale of *Starred Up*, *Animol* delivers a fresh perspective with a mix of vulnerability
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Originally published on Hollywood Reporter on 2/15/2026