Wild Bill
A newly paroled ex-con is forced to choose between criminal freedom and becoming the father his abandoned sons need.
Overview
A father's return ignites a struggle for family and freedom in a world of tough choices.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Moderate
- gritty
- bleakly comic
- tender
- serious movie night
- british cinema night
What critics said
Critics broadly praised the film as a sharply observed, warm, and entertaining British crime drama with strong performances and social-realist character work.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The film frames Bill's return, criminal connections, and family crisis within a working class council-estate environment, described by critics as a council estate western.
Bill initially rejects his sons and wants to leave, but caring for Jimmy and Dean forces him to confront what kind of father he can become.
Bill must choose between obeying parole conditions and protecting Jimmy when the boy becomes entangled with Bill's dangerous former associates.
The threat of the boys being placed into care drives Dean's coercion of Bill and makes the family's instability publicly consequential.
Films like Wild Bill, and why
The Selfish Giant
shared british crime drama, troubled fatherhood, working class environment, and redemptive emotional arc
Fish Tank
shared gritty social realism, adolescent vulnerability, family instability, and bleakly comic warmth
The Firm
shared working class british setting, criminal past, reluctant responsibility, and redemption through family bonds
Dead Man's Shoes
shared crime drama, damaged male protagonist, violent associates, and morally pressured family relationships
Movie Details
- Director
- Dexter Fletcher
- Release Date
- 2011-10-21
- Runtime
- 98 min
- Rating
- 6.8 / 10 (210)
Cast
- Charlie Creed-Miles
- Will Poulter
- Sammy Williams
- Leo Gregory
- Andy Serkis
- Jason Flemyng
- Jaime Winstone
- Liz White
- Sean Pertwee
- Olivia Williams
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Wild Bill about?
- A newly paroled ex-con is forced to choose between criminal freedom and becoming the father his abandoned sons need.
- What is Wild Bill like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Wild Bill as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Wild Bill violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Wild Bill as moderate.
- What did critics think of Wild Bill?
- Critics broadly praised the film as a sharply observed, warm, and entertaining British crime drama with strong performances and social-realist character work.
- Which films are like Wild Bill?
- Films with a similar feel include The Selfish Giant, Fish Tank, The Firm, and Dead Man's Shoes.
- How long is Wild Bill?
- Wild Bill runs 98 minutes.
- Where can I watch Wild Bill?
- In United States, Wild Bill streams on Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads.
