Wasteland – Where Grit Meets Gutter (and some hope hides underneath)

Alright, so, I watched Wasteland last night, and holy smörgåstårta, it’s something else. First of all, seeing Tim Roth in such a raw role again—honestly, I was half expecting him to burst out with that cool Reservoir Dogs energy, but no. Here he’s all ragged edges, more like a tired Värmland dad trying to keep it together after a rough week at Coop. And let’s just say, director Rowan Joffe doesn’t gloss over the dirt – you can almost feel the grime between your teeth. Quick shoutout to producer Mark Herbert, who clearly likes his drama messy and real.

The vibe? It’s a bit like wandering through a rainy February in Göteborg, but with more crime and less trams. Lots of shaky camera work, bare bulbs, sweaty foreheads and that grimy British realism that kinda reminds me of when I visited Newcastle in ’98—honestly, never quite saw jeans that baggy before or people so pale.

Personal memory break

There’s a bit in the film with a run-down pub and people chucking darts while half-arsed pop blares in the background. It hit me right in the memories from when my cousin took me to this dodgy bar in Sundsvall, back in ’07. Smelled like old kebab and regret. We talked late about what we’d become, like we were both extras in our own sad Brit crime flick.

So, do I think Wasteland is for everyone? Naah, definitely not. It’s bleak, sometimes too talky, and the plot’s twisting more than a cycling path over Öland. But there’s a weird warmth, too. Like a cuppa tea after a snowy walk. If you’re into cinema that gives you more questions than answers, or just wanna see Roth get his hands dirty, check it out.

But maybe have a semla ready. You’ll wanna treat yourself after.

watch the full movie on Mavshack Movies on YouTube

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