Impressed with Harlon's dedication, Beast promotes him to his second-in-command. Harlon rises in rank, obtains the alias “Money”, and acquires gang-related tattoos. Advised to take a plea deal due to him being under the influence of alcohol at the time of the accident, Jacob is sentenced to 16 months at the California Institution for Men in Chino. Jacob Harlon (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) is a successful stockbroker living with his wife Katherine (Lake Bell) and son Joshua in California. He is greeted by Frank "Shotgun" (Jon Bernthal) and other gang members, including Howie (Emory Cohen), a young war veteran with no criminal record. There’s a casual brutality at play that never feels grotesque in Waugh’s hands, just sadly unavoidable. Harlon sends a letter to his son, and is released from prison. SHOT CALLER is the story of Jacob (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, the Danish actor from Game of Thrones), a Pasadena stockbroker whose cushy life comes to an end when he drinks one too many at a dinner and then causes a fatal car accident. Beast complements Harlon saying "well played", as they prepare to fight. Everybody hates it when they don't explain everything that happened by the time the movie is over. Shocked by the brutality of prison life, Harlon stands his ground and attacks an African-American inmate when provoked, drawing the attention of Bottles, the “shot caller” for a violent white supremacist gang, PENI. Cookie policy. Watching movies with your friends during Covid is hard. On the day of the deal, Harlon escapes his surveillance and goes to Shotgun's house where he stabs him multiple times, killing him. Improve this question. “Shot Caller” is the third feature from Ric Roman Waugh (“Snitch,” “Felon”) to illustrate the notion that prisons make criminals instead of reforming them. [11] On Metacritic the film has a score of 59 out of 100 based on reviews from 10 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews. Having smuggled in a handcuff key and a razor blade, Harlon frees himself. Since Relativity Media filed for bankruptcy on July 2015,[7] the film's release was postponed until Saban Films acquired the U.S. distribution rights in April 2017. This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It only takes a minute to sign up. I mean i know he wasn't validated and was a sleeper. a few questions I have. Set to be released after serving over seven years, Harlon is ordered by Beast to orchestrate a weapons deal with the Sureños; when Harlon hesitates, knowing he will be on parole, Beast informs him that membership in the gang does not end when leaving prison, it lasts for life. I've got two major takeaways from Shot Caller , both of which revolve around its … [12], Peter Debruge of Variety wrote: "It’s a genre movie, to be sure, but there’s an impressive sense of authenticity — in the language, the locations and the overall texture —that goes a long way to sell the scenario."[13]. Shot Caller's weakness for action movie clichés is capably offset by strong work from Nikolaj Coster-Waldau in the central role. In return for protection and entry into the gang, Jacob is forced to smuggle heroin and kill a "snitch" within the gang. With his family’s safety secured, Harlon accepts his life sentence, and notifies Kutcher about the remaining weapons. A blood-soaked Harlon orders Roberts to claim that he acted in self-defense, and assumes Beast's place atop the gang hierarchy. Joshua, demanding answers, is unable to understand his father's gang life. “Shot Caller” isn’t the type of film that would use the phrase “prison-industrial complex” but that ultimately works to its advantage since its implications live in its bones. He turns down Kutcher's offer to testify against Beast in exchange for a full pardon. Shot Caller is a great example of the kind of movie you shouldn’t ignore simply because it’s not getting a big, theatrical release. On the day of the deal, Harlon escapes his surveillance and goes to Shotgun's house where he kills him. It premiered at the Los Angeles Film Festival on June 16, 2017. Once you are sent to a State Prison or Federal Penitentiary, you have 3 choices: 1. ou can go it alone. Shot Caller is VERY accurate. [5] Since Relativity Media filed for bankruptcy on July 2015,[14] the film's release was postponed until Saban Films acquired the U.S. distribution rights in April 2017. During a riot, Harlon stabs another inmate to save the life of Herman Gómez, head of the Sureños, but is caught on camera. A newly released prisoner is forced by the leaders of his gang to orchestrate a major crime with a brutal rival gang on the streets of Southern California. The film chronicles the transformation of a well-to-do family man into a hardened prison gangster, undergone to survive California's penal system after he is incarcerated for his role in a deadly DUI car accident. Since the film’s release … The film stars Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Omari Hardwick, Lake Bell, Jon Bernthal, Emory Cohen, Jeffrey Donovan, and Evan Jones, with Benjamin Bratt, and Holt McCallany. Harlon reaches out to Katherine, transferring his finances to her. Touched, Harlon realizes that sacrificing his own freedom to kill Beast was the only way he could truly protect his family. Also sign me up for FanMail to get updates on all things movies: tickets, special offers, screenings + more. Shot Caller is a 2017 American crime thriller film directed and written by Ric Roman Waugh. Shot Caller, written and directed by Ric Roman Waugh, is the type of film that feels like an epic, but when its final credits roll (with swelling orchestral arrangements exploding behind them) you realize that you haven’t had your ass in a chair for all that long. In return for protection and entry into the gang, Jacob is forced to smuggle heroin and kill a "snitch" within the gang. [16][17], On Rotten Tomatoes, the film has an approval rating of 69% based on 49 reviews, with an average score of 5.9/10 and the consensus reads "Shot Caller's weakness for action movie clichés is capably offset by strong work from Nikolaj Coster-Waldau in the central role". T he last film by Ric Roman Waugh I caught was the fantastically improbable and overblown Snitch, about the war on drugs.My expectations here were tepid. Harlon also discovers Shotgun is Kutcher’s informant. Watch Shot Caller online in the UK: All 4 / iTunes / Prime Video (Buy/Rent) / TalkTalk TV / Google Play. Anybody can ask a question ... plot-explanation shot-caller. Harlon is returned to Corcoran, where Roberts, a corrupt guard, brings him to Beast. Nicknamed “Money”, Harlon rises in rank and acquires gang-related tattoos. The film stars Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Omari Hardwick, Lake Bell, Jon Bernthal, Emory Cohen, Jeffrey Donovan, and Evan Jones, with Benjamin Bratt, and Holt McCallany. Jacob Harlon is a successful stockbroker living with his wife, Katherine, and son Joshua, in California. Enter your location to see which movie theaters are playing Shot Caller near you. When Harlon hesitates again Beast threatens his family, causing Harlon to agree to obey the order. [9] [10], On Rotten Tomatoes, the film has an approval rating of 67% based on 45 reviews, with an average score of 6.2/10 and the consensus reads "Shot Caller's weakness for action movie clichés is capably offset by strong work from Nikolaj Coster-Waldau in the central role". Discuss → Movies → Shot Caller → General. The film chronicles the transformation of a well-to-do family man into a hardened prison gangster, which he undergoes to survive California's penal system after he is incarcerated for his role in a deadly DUI car accident. Shot Caller is the third in a trilogy of prison films from Austin-based director/writer/producer Ric Roman Waugh, begun with Felon and continued with Snitch. … Shocked by the brutality of prison life, Jacob heeds his lawyer's advice to stand his ground. During a riot, Harlon stabs another inmate to save the life of the head of the Sureños, but is caught on camera. Follow edited Jan 8 '18 at 19:41. Summaries A newly released prisoner is forced by the leaders of his gang to orchestrate a major crime with a brutal rival gang on the streets of Southern California. Realizing Harlon was responsible for the raid, Beast orders him to live out his sentence with the guilt that his family will be killed for his actions. [18] On Metacritic the film has a score of 59 out of 100 based on reviews from 10 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews. A newly released prison gangster is forced by the leaders of his gang to orchestrate a major crime with a brutal rival gang on the streets of Southern California. There, he is introduced to an inmate called "The Beast", who commands the Aryan Brotherhood, the top of the white prison gang hierarchy. [13] In April 2015, Relativity Media acquired the US rights to the film for $3 million with a wide release commitment, and Sierra/Affinity was on board to handle international sales. Harlon is transferred to Corcoran State Prison under maximum-security. The film chronicles the transformation of a well-to-do family man into a hardened prison gangster, which he undergoes to survive California's penal system after he is incarcerated for his role in a deadly DUI car accident. Harlon realizes that sacrificing his own freedom to kill Beast was the only way he could truly protect his family. Harlon is transferred to Corcoran State Prison under maximum-security. Big Herc shares his review of Shot Caller, a movie about an average Joe that makes a mistake which lands him in Prison. As the deal closes, the police, ATF, and SWAT—alerted by Harlon's text—surround the gangs; only Howie escapes. A common myth is to join a gang as soon as you get inside prison walls for protection. Usually I harp on … Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2020, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. After meeting the Sureños, Harlon texts their coordinates to Shotgun's cellphone. [19], Peter Debruge of Variety wrote: "It’s a genre movie, to be sure, but there’s an impressive sense of authenticity—in the language, the locations and the overall texture—that goes a long way to sell the scenario. So I was a bit disappointed, frustrated, and generally grumpy going into this movie, which may partially explain my reaction to it. and in a bit of connectivity to another Prison movie, Chris Browning who play Redwood in Shot Caller played a similar role as AB Leader Danny Sampson in Felon. Harlon is introduced to Jerry "the Beast" Manning (Holt McCallany), who manages the gang’s activity from inside prison. Sentenced to nine more years, Harlon ceases all contact with his family. Prison movies are a genre well-explored in literally scores of dramas behind bars, I have rarely seen one grimmer or more unsettling and downright terrifying than Shot Caller… We need more movies like "Psycho" (unfortunately Simon Oakland has passed, but Larry King is still with us) and "Mulholland Dr." -- movies that take a little time to explain … ENTER CITY, STATE OR ZIP CODE GO. On April 9, 2015, Bold Films came on board to fully finance and produce the crime thriller film Shot Caller, to be directed by Ric Roman Waugh, based on his own script. As Harlon prepares to sell a cache of weapons discovered by Howie while serving in Afghanistan, Howie reveals that he does not want to become a gang member. Harlon, realizing he has missed several years of his son's life, is devastated but holds his emotions. Against Harlon’s wishes, Katherine brings Joshua to meet him. Harlon then closes the door between them. Shot Caller Altitude Film Entertainment | Release Date: August 18, 2017 Summary: After a DUI sends him down the rabbit hole of the American prison system, successful businessman Jacob Harlon (Nicolaj Coster-Waldau) is transformed into Money, a stoic, ruthless prison gangster. Harlon’s probation officer Ed Kutcher, part of a task force investigating the gang, is tipped off about the weapons deal and places Harlon under surveillance. Joshua demands answers but is unable to understand his father's gang life. I think that it is related with a previous scene in which he buys matches, an inhaler, razors and another item that I can not recognize. When I first saw him I wondered if it would be the same character. Fully validated as a gang member, Harlon is sentenced to life imprisonment with no possibility of parole (due in part to California’s three strikes law[5]). Dude has a terrifying look to him. Driving his wife and friends, Jacob unintentionally runs a red light, causing a collision; his best friend Tom is killed. For Shot Caller, McCallany packed on pounds of mass and muscle to play Jerry “The Beast” Manning, who runs the Aryan Brotherhood in a prison. Harlon takes this into consideration, remembering how he joined the gang. He attacks an African-American inmate when provoked, drawing the attention of Bottles (Jeffrey Donovan), the “shot caller” for a violent white supremacist gang. Beast realizes that Harlon tipped off the cops, knowing he would be sent back to Corcoran, and giving him the chance to get at Beast. With his family’s safety secured, Harlon accepts his life sentence, and notifies Kutcher about the remaining weapons. In Shot Caller, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, in an astonishing, tour-de-force performance, plays Jacob, a successful, white-collar businessman sentenced to jail for involuntary manslaughter for running a red light and killing his best friend (Max Greenfield) while driving intoxicated. Movie Review: Solid cast can’t rescue “Shot Caller” from prison pic formula Posted on July 24, 2017 by Roger Moore There are basically two types of “ex-con” pictures. It premiered at the Los Angeles Film Festival on June 16, 2017. Harlon is returned to Corcoran, where a corrupt prison guard, brings him to Beast. [3] The film was released on July 20, 2017, through DirecTV Cinema and theatrically on August 18, 2017, by Saban Films.[4]. on July 28, 2017 at 8:20 AM Move up the ranks so fast? Having smuggled in a handcuff key and a razor blade, Harlon frees himself and overpowers Roberts. Ric Roman Waugh's latest movie, Shot Caller, explores the question of what one would do if unexpectedly sent to prison, telling the story … "[20], Learn how and when to remove this template message, "LA Film Fest's Closing Night Film: Matt Spicer's 'Ingrid Goes West, "EXCLUSIVE: 'Game of Thrones' Star Nikolaj Coster-Waldau Transforms For New Movie 'Shot Caller, "Relativity Plunks Down $3M To Pick Up Bold Films' 'Shot Caller' With 'Games Of Thrones' Actor In Lead", "Cannes: Lake Bell, Jon Bernthal Join Prison Drama 'Shot Caller, "James Buckley Joins Lonely Island Pic 'Conner4real'; Evan Jones Set For 'Shot Caller'; Goldenthal Lauded In Krakow", "Benjamin Bratt Joins Bold Films' 'Shot Caller', Netflix's 'Special Correspondents, "Holt McCallany Joins Prison Thriller 'Shot Caller' (EXCLUSIVE)", "Rose McGowan, 2 Others Cast In 'Lower Bay'; Juan Pablo Raba Joins 'Shot Caller, "Michael Landes Joins Matthew McConaughey in 'Gold' (Exclusive)", "Bold Films to Produce Ric Roman Waugh's Prison Thriller 'Shot Caller, "Relativity Media & Ryan Kavanaugh: A Walk Down Memory Lane Of Hype", "Saban Picks Up 'Shot Caller' Starring 'Game of Thrones' Actor Nikolaj Coster-Waldau", "Casting Call in New Mexico for "Shot Caller" Feature Film", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Shot_Caller_(film)&oldid=999747353, Films about organized crime in the United States, Wikipedia articles with plot summary needing attention from May 2020, All Wikipedia articles with plot summary needing attention, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, Monique Candelaria as Lola Gomez, Herman's wife, This page was last edited on 11 January 2021, at 19:30. The film stars Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Omari Hardwick, Lake Bell, Jon Bernthal, … Shot Caller benefits from the presence of Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, the star of Game of Thrones, in the leading role. Identical look down to the mustache. [3] The film was released on July 20, 2017, through DirecTV Cinema and theatrically on August 18, 2017, by Saban Films.[4]. As the deal closes, the police, ATF, and SWAT – alerted by Harlon's text – surround the gangs; only Howie escapes. Game of Thrones’ Nikolaj Coster-Waldau is in serious danger of typecasting, as he’s played ex-cons in each of his last three films (Shot Caller, 3 Things and Small Crimes). Deducing that Shotgun hid more of the weapons to sell himself, Harlon warns Howie to leave the criminal life and forces him out of the vehicle. Impressed with Harlon's dedication, Beast promotes him to his second-in-command. Harlon unlocks Beast's cage, and a brutal fight ensues leaving Beast mortally wounded. 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