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Yardie

Yardie

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2018101 minNot RatedMidcredits score: 41st percentile of all films
Director
Idris Elba
Starring
Aml Ameen, Stephen Graham, Shantol Jackson, Calvin Demba

Jamaica, 1973. When a young boy witnesses his brother’s assassination, a powerful Don gives him a home. But 10 years later, when he’s sent to London, his past catches up to him.

Where to watch

Where can I watch Yardie?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove lists Yardie streaming on Prime Video.

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Your rating, lists and review

Highlights

What stands out about Yardie?

Yardie earns 4 badges, led by Award Winner and Cathartic.

  • Reception
  • Craft and mood
  • Awards and box office

Reception

Is Yardie worth watching?

Yardie's Midcredits score is the 41st percentile of all films, from 7.4K ratings across 6 sources. 39% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

41st percentile

Better received than 41% of films

42nd percentile among Crime42nd percentile among 2010s
Acclaim (how much people like it)47th
Approval (how many liked it)36th

61 /100

47th percentile of all films

47th percentile among Crime47th percentile among 2010s

Critics 52 · Audience 61

Audiences liked it more than critics did.

Rating distribution

A broad spread centered near 6.0 — solid but not unanimous.

39% liked it

36th percentile of all films

36th percentile among Crime36th percentile among 2010s
39% rated it 7–1061% rated it 1–6

Critics 53% · Audience 54%

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

Awards

0 Oscars won · 0 Oscar noms · 2 wins / 6 noms overall

Reach

How many have seen it

70th percentile

7.4K ratings across platforms

64th percentile among Crime73rd percentile among 2010s
TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Up 88% in 30 days

Box office

Opening weekend$22K
Domestic gross$36K
Worldwide gross$1.6M

55th percentile earner in its genre.

What reviewers say

Common ground

A crime drama about a Jamaican man's revenge, strong on cultural authenticity and music but formulaic in story.

Fans praised

  • Authentic depiction of Jamaican culture and London diaspora
  • Strong central performance by Aml Ameen
  • Great soundtrack and period atmosphere

Detractors panned

  • Generic, cliché-ridden gangster plot
  • Heavy Jamaican patois makes dialogue hard to understand
  • Weak script and predictable story

What stands out

Sound and music75

Exceptional reggae soundtrack and sound clash scenes

AtmosphereDivisive70

Immersive period recreation of 70s Jamaica and 80s London

ActingDivisive60

Aml Ameen praised as charismatic lead; Stephen Graham's Jamaican accent divisive

Emotional impactDivisive45

Some moments of tension but overall lacking depth

Plot and storyDivisive40

Derivative gangster revenge story with predictable twists

Pacing35

Slow start, drags in middle, uneven momentum

Dialogue30

Heavy patois praised for authenticity but widely criticized as unintelligible

Originality30

Familiar gangster tropes, little new ground

Preferred by

Women vs men

Preferred by Women

Women scored it 12 points higher than men.

US vs non-US

Preferred by US Viewers

US viewers scored it 11 points higher than non-US viewers.

Watch experience

What is Yardie 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
TenseMelancholicThrilling
Heaviest: late
Register
Brooding: Heavy, inward, weather-beaten.Brutal · 7% of films
Told as
Three-act: Setup, confrontation, resolution — the default Hollywood shape.
ToneThe film plays its revenge story straight, with a gritty, serious tone that treats its violent world and emotional stakes without irony.
The rideThe synopsis tracks a tense, brooding build-up to a violent climax, with melancholic undertones from D's unresolved trauma; the heaviest stretch is the late confrontation.
StructureThe story progresses chronologically from D's childhood trauma through his adulthood and quest for revenge, with a clear beginning, middle, and end.

How it leaves you

what you carry away

Wrung out and released.

Cathartic · 6% of filmsBittersweet
Why it leaves you this wayThe film's tight revenge narrative and emotional family closure leave a satisfying but slightly melancholy aftertaste.
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 archetypeD seeks revenge for his brother's murder, journeying from Jamaica to London to confront the killer and becoming entangled in a criminal underworld.

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 filmsSelfViolenceSurvival
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%: Justice 13% · Duty 2% · Revenge 4% (this title) · Guilt 3% · Redemption 6% · Forgiveness 1% · Sacrifice 4% · Betrayal 5% · Deception 9%
  • Survival 15% (this title): Survival 17% · War 1% · Violence 4% (this title) · 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%

Survival

Violence · 4% of filmsRevenge · 4% of filmsFamily bonds
Observes its theme: Presents its theme neutrally, declining to judge.Intimate stakes: Consequences reach a person or a household.Single lead
How it treats its themeThe film centers on the violence of the criminal underworld and D's quest for retribution, while also exploring his fractured family bonds with his brother's memory and his own child.
StanceThe film focuses on D's personal quest for revenge, observing the violence and its consequences without a clear moral judgment, staying close to his perspective.

The world

Late 20th centuryUrbanRealistic
Orchestral modernFolkJazzSupportive music · original score · Dickon Hinchliffe
Setting1970s Kingston and 1980s Hackney, London, in the Jamaican immigrant and soundclash scene
MusicThe score blends period-appropriate Jamaican and British sounds with orchestral elements to underscore the dual settings.

Content guide

Is Yardie okay for kids?

Not Rated

Yardie is not rated. As of August 31, 2026, Midcredits content scores put its violence at intense (75/100), sexual content at moderate (46/100), language at severe (94/100), drug and alcohol content at severe (89/100) and frightening material at intense (61/100). Its violence, language, drug and alcohol content and frightening material have too few votes to rank.

Ratings in 4 other countries
  • UK15
  • Germany16
  • France12
  • Ireland16
Overall
Intense · all five categories
not ranked
Violence & Gore
Intense
too few votes to rank (8 votes)
Sex & Nudity
Moderate · audience split: No severity level holds a majority of voters
typical for an unrated film
heavier than 58%
Profanity
Severe
too few votes to rank (6 votes)
Alcohol & Drugs
Severe
too few votes to rank (6 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 (39 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 Yardie have?

Not screened for content warnings yet.

Cast and crew

Who is in Yardie?

Cast

Aml Ameen
as D
Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Stephen Graham
as Rico
Veteran: 15 or more years in, with as much work as the typical long-career actor.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Shantol Jackson
as Yvonne
First film: No prior film role; they had worked in television.
Calvin Demba
as Sticks
Newcomer: A standing when this film came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.
Sheldon Shepherd
as King Fox
Screen debut: No prior film or television role.
Adnan Mustafa
as Engin
Duramaney Kamara
as Darkers
Fraser James
as Piper
Newcomer: A standing when this film came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.
Riaze Foster
as Clancy
Naomi Ackie
as Mona
Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.

Crew

More like this

What are movies like Yardie?

Movies like Yardie include They Call Him OG (2025), We Still Kill the Old Way (2014) and Jagame Thandhiram (2021). Of the 12 closest matches, most are revenge thrillers, and several are films set in London.

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

11 of these 12 share its story type: gangster. Those cards say what else they share.

Explore by

What else shares a premise, people or place with Yardie?

1K other films share the rarest tag below, follows: gangster. Each tag opens Browse with the films that share it.