The Correction Unit

Directed by Derry Shillitto

2025

Foyle Films

The Correction Unit asks what kind of world would it be if we could predict and control impulses using technology, but rather than just an intriguing sci-fi theory, it asks an audience to consider the ramifications these ideas have in today's culture. Especially with young people who are still trying to find their place in the world.

Throwing us directly into the story, a tense opening sees a couple of friends assaulted in the street, but the confrontation ends with a ferocious blow that leaves one of the attackers injured on the ground.

Jumping forward 8 weeks to a young offenders institution, we discover Shawn O’ Connor (Sonny Middleton) has now been locked up despite seemingly acting in self defense. But he and his friend Tish (Elleese Bradshaw), along with an array of other young inmates from the area, are gathered and transported to a new experimental facility.

The group are told they are handpicked for their “potential” by two wardens - played very mysteriously by Kirsty Smedley and Ziad Abaza - despite some advanced security wristbands reminding them all they are very much detainees. And they are encouraged to channel these latent emotions, all on the promise of early release from their sentences.

Each ‘resident’ is introduced to a computer AI called nTrac (voiced by The Last of Us and Game of Thrones star Bella Ramsey), whose scarily friendly soft voice asks seemingly innocent questions of the youngsters. But they are soon forced to undertake team challenges, leading to the AI interpreting and analysing the results, as well as the personality of the people involved.

The film has a riveting first third, moving swiftly through each sequence with various intellectual ideas presented in an understandable way. Character motivations are slowly revealed with minimal expositional dialogue and there’s strong craftsmanship in the camerawork and lighting. The technical elements are terrific too with the integration of an array of special effects, cyber components and virtual reality elements.

Its story continues with the ever-distrusting Shawn creeping around the facility to investigate its strange atmosphere. And he’s also frustrated to hear about a shootout on the urban streets outside, with his own mother in danger. Yet the AI provides “evidence” of his and others’ non-compliance, rendering a scary amount of control and psychological anguish.

The Correction Unit successfully adds a few VFX shots too, in an attempt to take us to a near-future world with video signs, face-scanning lazers and digital security footage. On a personal note, there appears to be some real-life AI generated art sequences in the film which I could do without, but overall there’s enough effective post-production work to allude to a tech-filled dystopian society.

A bit of Minority Report and The Island, plus a lot of A Clockwork Orange and THX 1138 are included and appear to be the main influences - but it's very much a Midlands production with its own voice too. And as we barrel towards its conclusion, the antagonism between an oppressive regime (and its unwieldy use of technology) and a society’s freedom is explored candidly without ever becoming too hamfisted. And although there's a simplicity to its themes, nothing is ever at the expense of entertainment either.

A very impressive feature with a great pace, the tremendous filmmaking skills on display are anchored by wonderful performances from the large ensemble cast. The Correction Unit is as good as any local low-budget feature film you’re likely to see from the Midlands, and its energetic and expansive - and not overlong - runtime of 93 minutes results in a lot to enjoy throughout.

Yet, it also provides an array of first-class action sequences that mix well with engrossing dark drama - and it's all wrapped up in a neat sci-fi setup that will have your heart-thumping and your brain thinking long after the credits.

★★★★★

5 / 5

Michael Sales

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