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The Corrupted

The Corrupted

In a corrupt city, redemption is worth fighting for.

2019103 minRMidcredits score: 32nd percentile of all films
Director
Ron Scalpello
Starring
Sam Claflin, Charlie Murphy, Timothy Spall, Hugh Bonneville

Set ahead of the 2012 London Olympics, the film follows Liam, an ex-con trying to win back the love and trust of his family. He has lost everything at the hands of a local crime syndicate run by Clifford Cullen, who has high-level connections in politics, finance and the police force. Liam's drive for redemption sees him caught up in a web of conspiracy, crime, and corruption.

Where to watch

Where can I watch The Corrupted?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove lists The Corrupted streaming on Pluto TV (free).

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Highlights

What stands out about The Corrupted?

The Corrupted earns 2 badges, led by Preferred by Non-US Viewers and Award Nominee.

  • Reception
  • Awards and box office

Reception

Is The Corrupted worth watching?

The Corrupted's Midcredits score is the 32nd percentile of all films, from 3.1K ratings across 4 sources. 32% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

32nd percentile

Better received than 32% of films

32nd percentile among Crime33rd percentile among 2010s
Acclaim (how much people like it)40th
Approval (how many liked it)26th

59 /100

40th percentile of all films

40th percentile among Crime42nd percentile among 2010s

Rating distribution

A broad spread centered near 5.8 — solid but not unanimous.

32% liked it

26th percentile of all films

25th percentile among Crime25th percentile among 2010s
32% rated it 7–1068% rated it 1–6

Critics 30% · Audience 26%

On Rotten Tomatoes, critics and audiences approve at similar rates.

Awards

0 Oscars won · 0 Oscar noms · 0 wins / 3 noms overall

Reach

How many have seen it

79th percentile

3.1K ratings across platforms

74th percentile among Crime81st percentile among 2010s
TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Down 30% in 30 days

Box office

Worldwide gross$177K

32nd percentile earner in its genre.

What reviewers say

Common ground

A gritty British crime thriller about corruption and redemption with solid acting but a messy, overstuffed plot.

Fans praised

  • Strong lead performances, especially Timothy Spall's menacing gangster
  • Gripping second half with intense, brutal action
  • Solid British crime thriller with stylish cinematography

Detractors panned

  • Convoluted plot with too many subplots and characters
  • Slow, unfocused first act with amateur editing mistakes
  • Derivative and predictable, offering nothing new to the genre

What stands out

Acting72

Timothy Spall's scenery-chewing villain, Sam Claflin's intense ex-con, but some side performances weak

Atmosphere62

Relentlessly grim, bleak tone captures corrupt London underworld

Cinematography60

Nice composition and lighting but amateur focus pulls and 180 rule breaks

TensionDivisive55

Some suspenseful moments but diluted by slow setup

Characters45

Overstuffed with too many underwritten characters, inconsistent motivations

Plot and story43

Convoluted with plot holes, predictable twists, but some surprises in second half

Pacing40

Slow, unfocused first half, picks up in final third

Originality30

Generic British gangster tropes, derivative of Guy Ritchie and 'The Long Good Friday'

Preferred by

US vs non-US

Preferred by Non-US Viewers

Non-US viewers scored it 10 points higher than US viewers.

Watch experience

What is The Corrupted like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

Tense and gripping: browse every movie of this kind

Watch this when you are ready for heavy feelings, and you want something tense that holds you to the end.

It is intense and leaves you wrung out and released. Skip it when you want an easy night.

ToneFeelDemandwhat the answer rests onexact position · filled zone: the category

What it asks of you

Room for heavy feelings.

What it feels like

Tense and gripping.

The answer rests on this: Moods
TenseMelancholic
Heaviest: late
Register
Bleak · 8% of filmsBrooding: Heavy, inward, weather-beaten.
Told as
Three-act: Setup, confrontation, resolution — the default Hollywood shape.
ToneA grim, earnest crime drama that takes its corruption and violence seriously.
The rideA consistently grim and tense atmosphere, with emotional weight concentrated in the latter acts.
StructureConventional linear narrative with a setup, confrontation and resolution.

How it leaves you

what you carry away

Wrung out and released.

Cathartic · 6% of filmsBittersweet
Why it leaves you this wayA cathartic revenge resolution leaves a bittersweet sense of loss and justice.
How it ends · evidence
Bittersweet ending

Story archetype

where it sits among all films
Monster — 21% of films. A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated.Rags — 3% of films. A rise from lowliness to fortune, status, or recognition.Quest — 10% of films. A journey toward a defined objective, with companions and obstacles.Voyage — 4% of films. Into a strange world and back again, changed.Comedy — 11% of films. Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony.Tragedy — 9% of films. A flaw or fixation drives the protagonist to ruin.Rebirth — 13% of films. A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed.Mystery — 7% of films. A question drives the story — who did it, what happened, what is real — until it is answered.No archetype — 22% of filmsPredator — 6% of films. A creature or killer hunts the protagonists (Jaws, Alien).Tyrant — 6% of films. A human villain holds power over the hero's world (Die Hard).Invasion — 2% of films. An external force attacks the home or world (Independence Day).Oppressive state — 2% of films. A government, its agencies or a secret faction inside them is the monster (V for Vendetta).Corporate villainy — 1% of films. A company or its bosses are the monster (Erin Brockovich).Institutional injustice — 1% of films. A court, prison, police force, school or church is itself the enemy (Spotlight).Class system — under 1% of films. The gap between rich and poor, or a rigid hierarchy, is the monster (Parasite).Technology turns — under 1% of films. Technology people rely on becomes the threat (The Terminator).Inner demon — 1% of films. The monster is within — addiction, illness, a dark double.Underdog triumph — 2% of films. Rise through competition or contest (Rocky).Social ascent — under 1% of films. A climb in class or status (Pretty Woman).Fame and fortune — under 1% of films. An artistic or showbiz rise (A Star Is Born).Rise and fall — under 1% of films. Wealth or power gained, self lost (Scarface).Hidden worth revealed — under 1% of films. The protagonist's true value finally recognized.Treasure hunt — 1% of films. Retrieve an object of value (Raiders of the Lost Ark).Rescue — 4% of films. Retrieve or save a person (Saving Private Ryan).Mission — 5% of films. Accomplish or destroy a defined objective (Mission: Impossible).Journey home — under 1% of films. The goal is getting back (Finding Nemo).Pilgrimage — 1% of films. The journey itself transforms; the destination is symbolic.Portal fantasy — under 1% of films. Transported into another world (The Wizard of Oz).Fish out of water — 2% of films. Displaced into an unfamiliar social world (Elf).Survival ordeal — 1% of films. Trapped in a hostile environment, fighting back (Cast Away).Time displacement — under 1% of films. Unstuck in time (Back to the Future).Descent — 1% of films. A night-journey into an underworld or subculture (After Hours).Romantic comedy — 4% of films. Lovers kept apart by confusion, united at last.Comedy of errors — 3% of films. Mistaken identity or misunderstanding drives the plot.Farce — 2% of films. Escalating absurd chaos and coincidence (The Hangover).Buddy comedy — 1% of films. A mismatched pair forced together (Rush Hour).Comedy of manners — 1% of films. Social codes and class satirized (Clueless).Hubris — 1% of films. Pride or ambition invites the fall (There Will Be Blood).Obsession — 2% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Corruption arc — 2% of films. Step-by-step moral decay (The Godfather).Doomed love — 2% of films. Love destroyed by circumstance (Brokeback Mountain).Crushed by fate — 3% of films. Destroyed by forces beyond the protagonist's control.Redemption — 3% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Healing — 5% of films. Recovery from grief or trauma (Good Will Hunting).Liberation — 2% of films. Breaking free of a confining life (Room).Second chance — 2% of films. A stagnant life re-opened to love or purpose (Groundhog Day).Puzzle — 1% of films. A clue-by-clue puzzle you can try to solve before the reveal (Knives Out, Clue).Investigation — 5% of films. A long pursuit of the truth that may never be fully solved (Zodiac, Memories of Murder).Enigma — 2% of films. The mystery is what is real, or what is actually happening (Mulholland Drive).MonsterTyrant
Every story archetype, clockwise from the top
  • Monster 21% (this title): Predator 6% · Tyrant 6% (this title) · Invasion 2% · Oppressive state 2% · Corporate villainy 1% · Institutional injustice 1% · Class system under 1% · Technology turns under 1% · Inner demon 1%
  • Rags 3%: Underdog triumph 2% · Social ascent under 1% · Fame and fortune under 1% · Rise and fall under 1% · Hidden worth revealed under 1%
  • Quest 10%: Treasure hunt 1% · Rescue 4% · Mission 5% · Journey home under 1% · Pilgrimage 1%
  • Voyage 4%: Portal fantasy under 1% · Fish out of water 2% · Survival ordeal 1% · Time displacement under 1% · Descent 1%
  • Comedy 11%: Romantic comedy 4% · Comedy of errors 3% · Farce 2% · Buddy comedy 1% · Comedy of manners 1%
  • Tragedy 9%: Hubris 1% · Obsession 2% · Corruption arc 2% · Doomed love 2% · Crushed by fate 3%
  • Rebirth 13%: Redemption 3% · Healing 5% · Liberation 2% · Second chance 2%
  • Mystery 7%: Puzzle 1% · Investigation 5% · Enigma 2%
  • No archetype 22%

Overcoming the monster: A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated. · Tyrant: A human villain holds power over the hero's world (Die Hard).

21% of films fit this archetype

Why this archetypeAn ex-con seeks redemption by taking on a crime boss who controls a web of corruption, driven by revenge for his father's murder.

What it's about

7 groups · 53 themes
Bonds — 27% of filmsSelf — 22% of filmsPower — 7% of filmsMorality — 16% of filmsSurvival — 15% of filmsSociety — 9% of filmsIdeas — 5% of filmsRomantic love — 15% of filmsMarriage — 2% of filmsFamily bonds — 21% of filmsParenthood — 2% of filmsFriendship — 9% of filmsLoyalty — 4% of filmsIdentity — 14% of filmsComing of age — 5% of filmsAging — under 1% of filmsSelf-worth — 7% of filmsAmbition — 7% of filmsPurpose — 9% of filmsMemory — 3% of filmsObsession — 3% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Power — 2% of filmsCorruption — 3% of filmsGreed — 3% of filmsClass — 3% of filmsOppression — 4% of filmsFreedom — 5% of filmsJustice — 13% of filmsDuty — 2% of filmsRevenge — 4% of filmsGuilt — 3% of filmsRedemption — 6% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Forgiveness — 1% of filmsSacrifice — 4% of filmsBetrayal — 5% of filmsDeception — 9% of filmsSurvival — 17% of filmsWar — 1% of filmsViolence — 4% of filmsMortality — 2% of filmsGrief — 6% of filmsTrauma — 7% of filmsMental illness — 1% of filmsAddiction — 1% of filmsIllness and disability — under 1% of filmsCommunity — 14% of films. Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Isolation — 5% of filmsPrejudice — 3% of filmsDisplacement — 1% of filmsFaith — 3% of filmsTradition vs change — 2% of filmsFame — 3% of filmsLegacy — 4% of filmsFate — 1% of filmsFree will — under 1% of filmsTruth — 4% of filmsHope — 5% of filmsNature — 2% of filmsArt — 4% of filmsTechnology — 1% of filmsSelf
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 27%: Romantic love 15% · Marriage 2% · Family bonds 21% (this title) · Parenthood 2% · Friendship 9% · Loyalty 4%
  • Self 22%: Identity 14% · Coming of age 5% · Aging under 1% · Self-worth 7% · Ambition 7% · Purpose 9% · Memory 3% · Obsession 3%
  • Power 7%: Power 2% · Corruption 3% · Greed 3% · Class 3% · Oppression 4% · Freedom 5%
  • Morality 16% (this title): Justice 13% (this title) · Duty 2% · Revenge 4% · Guilt 3% · Redemption 6% (this title) · Forgiveness 1% · Sacrifice 4% · Betrayal 5% · Deception 9%
  • Survival 15%: Survival 17% · War 1% · Violence 4% · Mortality 2% · Grief 6% · Trauma 7% · Mental illness 1% · Addiction 1% · Illness and disability under 1%
  • Society 9%: Community 14% · Isolation 5% · Prejudice 3% · Displacement 1% · Faith 3% · Tradition vs change 2% · Fame 3% · Legacy 4%
  • Ideas 5%: Fate 1% · Free will under 1% · Truth 4% · Hope 5% · Nature 2% · Art 4% · Technology 1%

Morality

Redemption · 6% of filmsFamily bondsJustice · 13% of films
Interrogates its theme: Questions its theme without settling the answer.Societal stakes: Consequences reach a whole social order.Single lead
How it treats its themeAn ex-con's search for redemption forces him to confront a corrupt system that took his family and his future.
StanceThe film questions whether redemption is possible when the system is irredeemably corrupt.

The world

Early 21st centuryUrbanRealistic
Orchestral modernForeground music · original score · Andrew Kawczynski
SettingPost-Olympics London, focusing on the East End and property development.

Content guide

Is The Corrupted okay for kids?

R

The Corrupted is rated R: “Rated R for strong bloody violence, language throughout, and brief drug use” (MPAA). As of October 2, 2026, Midcredits content scores put its violence at severe (92/100), sexual content at mild (23/100), language at intense (73/100), drug and alcohol content at moderate (48/100) and frightening material at intense (67/100). Its violence, drug and alcohol content and frightening material have too few votes to rank.

Ratings in 8 other countries
  • UK18
  • Germany16
  • France12
  • JapanR18+
  • Brazil14
  • Netherlands16
  • Poland16
  • Russia18+
Overall
Intense · all five categories
not ranked
Violence & Gore
Severe
too few votes to rank (8 votes)
Sex & Nudity
Mild
light for an R-rated film
heavier than 16%
Profanity
Intense
typical for an R-rated film
heavier than 62%
Alcohol & Drugs
Moderate
too few votes to rank (7 votes)
Frightening / Intense
Intense
too few votes to rank (6 votes)

Point along a line to see a well-known title at that level.

Too few votes to rank this title overall (41 votes across 5 categories; ranking needs 10 in at least three).

Source: Midcredits content scores, 0 (none) to 100 (severe) per category, with each standing ranked against other films that have them.

What content warnings does The Corrupted have?

Not screened for content warnings yet.

Cast and crew

Who is in The Corrupted?

Cast

Sam Claflin
as Liam McDonagh
Charlie Murphy
as DS Gemma Connelly
Timothy Spall
as Clifford Cullen
Hugh Bonneville
as Anthony Hammond
Noel Clarke
as DS Neil Beckett
David Hayman
as DCI Raymond Ellery
Alan McKenna
as Isaac Gale
Shaun Dooley
as Eamonn McDonagh
Adam Long
as Warren Byford
Sam Otto
as Nayan Khaliq

Crew

More like this

What are movies like The Corrupted?

Movies like The Corrupted include The Deliverance (2024), Skin (2018) and Yennai Arindhaal (2015). Of the 12 closest matches, several are gangster films, and most are films set in the early 21st century.

Balanced: every group counts the same, and production only breaks ties.

9 of these 12 share its subject: redemption. Those cards say what else they share.

Explore by

What else shares a premise, people or place with The Corrupted?

980 other films share the rarest tag below, kind of film: conspiracy thriller. Each tag opens Browse with the films that share it.