Punishment Park

A raw, immersive pseudo-documentary that thrusts you into a tense, brutal manhunt, leaving you shaken and angry.

Directed by

Peter Watkins

Genres

Drama, Thriller

Starring

Patrick Boland, Carmen Argenziano, Kent Foreman

Tagline

One of the most controversial films ever made.

Overview

In this fictional documentary, U.S. prisons are at capacity, and President Nixon declares a state of emergency. All new prisoners, most of whom are connected to the antiwar movement, are now given the choice of jail time or spending three days in Punishment Park, where they will be hunted for sport by federal authorities. The prisoners invariably choose the latter option, but learn that, between the desert heat and the brutal police officers, their chances of survival are slim.

How it feels

Tense, dark, bleak and satirical. Relentless and demanding.

About

Politics, violence, survival, power

Content

Strong violence and language. Mild gore. No sexual content.

Note

Written by AI, so it can be wrong. Full breakdown

Your rating is saved. See your suggestions, or find titles like this one below.

Rate it, and Mesmero finds titles that feel like it. You do not need an account.

Watch the trailer on YouTube (opens in a new tab)