Animol review: Ashley Walters tense and tender feature debut shines light on young offenders

The last place a 15-year-old wants to find himself is in a young offenders institution, where Animol shines its light.

In his feature directorial debut, acclaimed Top Boy star, recording artist, director, writer, and producer Ashley Walters explores the constant tension, threat, and camaraderie of boys whose lives have taken a serious turn.

Co-written by Walters and Nick Love ( Marching Powder ) based on their experiences with such institutions, Animol boasts a talented young cast buoyed by an outstanding Tut Nyuot ( The Long Walk ), and supported by a characteristically brilliant Stephen Graham ( Adolescence ).

SEE ALSO: 'La Bola Negra' review: A magnificent gay epic that transcends time With superb cinematography and production design, commendably interior performances from an impeccable young cast, and unflinching authenticity in its detail , Animol presents an experience of young offenders, where being real feels impossible and redemption's just a glimmer.

Animol takes you inside a young offenders institution with grit and humanity Stephen Graham as Claypole in "Animol." Credit: SLNDA Awaiting incarceration in a young offenders institution, British teenager Troy prepares himself for the worst.

Cast into a seriously adult situation, the 15-year-old instantly bonds with Polish boy Krystiyan (Ukrainian actor Vladyslav Baliuk).

In the same breath, he's extorted into smuggling a burner phone by power player Dion ( Boarders star Sekou Diaby).

"You're stepping into my world now," Dion declares, and Troy soon finds out he's dead right.

As soon as he moves in with mercurial cellmate Mason ( The Jetty 's Ryan Dean), Troy finds himself in a dangerous position between Dion and Mason, two very different ticking time bombs.

Trying to find his place while watching his back, Troy walks a knife's edge between security and exposure, with open assaults in the mess hall a regular occurrence and the idea of being his authentic self a laughable idea.

However, in the midst of this constant suspicion, violence, and insomnia, Troy's tender bond with Krystiyan becomes a place of solace, of peace, of a yearning he's suppressed in himself.

Overseen by well-meaning welfare officer Claypole (Graham), Troy takes it day-by-day inside.

Animol presents Troy's experience as one of constant self-doubt, isolation, hopelessness, and survival.

His lifeline beyond the walls is his mother Joy (an impeccable Sharon Duncan Brewster), with their relationship strained under her struggle with addiction and sobriety.