Opened: August 24, 2018

Directed by: Michael Noer

Starring: Charlie Hunnam, Rami Malek, Christopher Fairbank, Yorick van Wageningen, Roland Møller, Tommy Flanagan, Eve Hewson, Michael Socha, Brian Vernel, Ian Beattie, Nicholas Asbury, Nikola Kent, Slavko Sobin, Joel Basman, Luka Peroš & Demetri Goritsas

While it misses opportunities on the emotional end, Papillon is a great story of perseverance and triumph.

Henri “Papillon” Charrière (Charlie Hunnam) is falsely accused of murder and sentenced with life imprisonment in the Devil’s Island penal colony in French Guiana. He forms a bond with counterfeiter Louis Dega (Rami Malek) and together, they work to escape the prison.

Hunnam and Malek have a fantastic relationship that lets you feel the emotional connection between their characters as they battle for their freedom. Papi’s story is true though it’s still unknown if Dega existed.

Unfortunately, there’s not a deep enough dive into the emotional turmoil that Papi would’ve endured. Everything here remains more on a physical level. Despite this, the film is beautifully shot, and the story keeps you engaged.

Final say: The actors do well but aren’t given enough. ★★★☆☆