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7 Prisoners (2021): Cast & Ratings

7 Prisoners (2021) movie poster

7 Prisoners is a 2021 drama directed by Alexandre Moratto, starring Christian Malheiros as Mateus, Rodrigo Santoro and Lucas Oranmian. It runs 1 hour 33 minutes. It was nominated for 1 Oscar. Critics gave it 98% on Rotten Tomatoes and 80 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.1/10.

IMDb rating
7.1/10
Rotten Tomatoes
98%
award nomination
1
Echo Score
79
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7 Prisoners (2021) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 33m (93 min)
Genre
Drama
Original language
Portuguese
Studio
Netflix
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is 7 Prisoners About?

The premise of 7 Prisoners without spoilers.

Desperate to escape poverty, 18-year-old Mateus travels to São Paulo seeking a better life. He finds work in a scrapyard, but soon becomes entangled in a dangerous world of human trafficking. As he navigates the harsh realities of this underworld, Mateus faces increasingly difficult choices that jeopardize his family’s well-being and his own chance at freedom, forcing him to confront the brutal consequences of his decisions.

7 Prisoners Themes & Keywords

· 25 tags
  • job
  • southeast brazil
  • social issues in brazil
  • prison
  • trap
  • survival
  • poverty
  • mafia
  • life drama
  • slavery
  • coming of age
  • sao paulo brazil
+13 more
  • immigration to brazil
  • afro brazilian
  • locked
  • family relationships
  • world
  • opportunity
  • victim
  • country
  • work
  • boy
  • girl
  • danger
  • life
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Cast & crew

7 Prisoners Cast & Characters

Christian Malheiros leads the cast as Mateus, with Rodrigo Santoro as Luca and Lucas Oranmian as Isaque. Directed by Alexandre Moratto; 4 actors are credited in all.

From the director

More from Alexandre Moratto

More films directed by Alexandre Moratto, best-rated first: Socrates and Sócrates.

Full filmography
Ratings

7 Prisoners Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave 7 Prisoners 98% on Rotten Tomatoes and 80 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.1/10. Our Echo Score gives it 79/100, strongest in art & craft (88) and weakest in rewatch factor (68).

79 /100

7 Prisoners Echo Score Breakdown

7 Prisoners delivers a compelling examination of modern slavery through a tightly constructed thriller framework. Critics commend its emotional intensity, nuanced direction, and vivid production design, noting the film’s ability to render hierarchical violence palpable. Performances, especially by Rodrigo Santoro, are highlighted as gripping, while the narrative’s moral complexity sustains audience engagement. The consensus across reviews positions the film as a thought‑provoking, well‑crafted work with strong rewatch potential, reflected in its high aggregate rating.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 88

    The film’s art and craft exhibit strong direction and striking visual design. Critics repeatedly praise the adroit snapshot of exploitation, the vividly squalid setting, and measured pacing, while users note the haunting atmosphere and meticulous production values. Editing remains disciplined, supporting the narrative’s tension without overt stylization. Overall, the artistic execution is viewed as a major strength that enhances the film’s thematic impact.

  • Character & Emotion 80

    Character work in 7 Prisoners is anchored by compelling performances. Rodrigo Santoro’s portrayal is highlighted as intensely gripping, and critics cite overall strong acting that conveys the film’s emotional devastation. However, some reviewers note limited exploration of the protagonist’s moral dilemma, reducing depth in certain arcs. The net impression is that performances elevate the material, though character nuance is occasionally uneven.

  • Story & Flow 75

    The story presents a stark, linear exploration of modern slavery. Critics acknowledge its coherent, propulsive script and moral quandary that engages viewers, though some point to on‑the‑nose storytelling and occasional lack of variation. User commentary reflects appreciation for the moral urgency but mentions limited narrative depth. Overall, the plot is effective in delivering its message despite modest structural ambition.

  • Sensory Experience 70

    Sensory elements contribute to the film’s oppressive atmosphere. Reviews cite a haunting score and vivid, squalid visuals that immerse viewers in the bleak setting, while the sound design underscores tension without distraction. Some critics note the lack of musical distinctiveness, but overall the auditory‑visual blend reinforces thematic concerns. The sensory execution is thus regarded as a solid, if not groundbreaking, component.

  • Rewatch Factor 68

    Rewatch potential is moderate, driven by thematic weight rather than narrative novelty. The film’s intense moral focus and gripping performances invite repeated viewing for deeper insight, as noted by critics praising its thought‑provoking nature. Conversely, some users find the linear structure and lack of variation reduce incentive for multiple viewings. Consequently, the rewatch factor is viewed as respectable yet limited.

Awards

7 Prisoners Awards & Nominations

7 Prisoners was nominated for 1 Oscar.

1 nomination1 ceremony

Videos

7 Prisoners Trailers & Videos

The trailer of 7 Prisoners.

7 Prisoners (7 prisioneiros) | Official Trailer | Netflix
Cars

Cars in 7 Prisoners

38 cars on screen, including the 2008 Fiat Ducato and the Hyundai Grace.

All 38 cars
  • 2008 Fiat Ducato in 7 Prisoners 2008 Fiat Ducato Important role
  • Hyundai Grace in 7 Prisoners Hyundai Grace Important role
  • Hyundai Santa Fe in 7 Prisoners Hyundai Santa Fe Important role
  • 2008 Chevrolet Captiva Sport in 7 Prisoners 2008 Chevrolet Captiva Sport Minor role
Details

7 Prisoners Also Known As

27 alternative titles, including “Siete prisioneros” and “7 заключенных”.

Also known as
  • Siete prisioneros
  • 7 заключенных
  • 7 Gefangene
  • 7 Prisonniers
  • 7 سجناء
  • 7 Prisioneiros AKA 7 Prisoners
  • 七囚徒
  • 7 в’язнів
  • 7명의 포로
  • 7 prisioneros
  • 7 Prigionieri
  • 七囚
+15 more
  • ‏שבעה אסירים
  • 7 Tutsak
  • 7 więźniów
  • Sedm vězněných
  • 7 fångar
  • 7 заключённых
  • Sedmorica zatočenika
  • プリジョネイロ
  • 7 Αιχμάλωτοι
  • Heten az emberkereskedők markában
  • Șapte prizonieri
  • 7 ტყვე
  • 7 zapornikov
  • 7 นักโทษ
  • 7 Затворници

Seen 7 Prisoners?

FAQ

7 Prisoners FAQ: Cast, Awards & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, ratings, awards, post-credit scenes and language of 7 Prisoners, each answered in a sentence.

How long is 7 Prisoners?

7 Prisoners runs 1 hour 33 minutes (93 minutes).

When was 7 Prisoners released?

7 Prisoners was released on November 5, 2021.

Who directed 7 Prisoners?

7 Prisoners was directed by Alexandre Moratto.

More films by Alexandre Moratto

Who is in the cast of 7 Prisoners?

7 Prisoners stars Christian Malheiros as Mateus, Rodrigo Santoro as Luca and Lucas Oranmian as Isaque, among 4 credited actors.

How is 7 Prisoners rated?

7 Prisoners has 7.1/10 on IMDb, 98% on Rotten Tomatoes, 80 on Metacritic and 70% on TMDB.

Was 7 Prisoners nominated for any awards?

7 Prisoners received 1 nomination across 1 ceremony.

Does 7 Prisoners have a post-credit scene?

No. 7 Prisoners has no extra scene during or after the credits.

What language is 7 Prisoners in?

The original language of 7 Prisoners is Portuguese.

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