Twenty-nine-year-old Joe Cole has been slowly and steadily making his mark on indie filmmaking for years, but after this stunning and unforgettable performance as a troubled, drug-addicted boxer, he has surpassed the threshold from supporting talent to a commanding presence.

A relatively quiet release from power player A24, compared to the recent buzz of Eighth Grade and Never Goin’ Back, the grisly biopic A Prayer Before Dawn may be flying under the radar, but it is fierce nonetheless. Based on the horrifyingly true story of an English boxer who wound up in one of Thailand’s most notorious prisons, A Prayer Before Dawn is a visceral punch in the gut powered by the innate talent of Joe Cole.

The film begins in a ritualistic way as Billy Moore (Cole) applies globs of vaseline to his face before jumping into the ring. He doesn’t speak, only the chanting and shouting of Taiwanese spectators fill the open-air arena. Moore is a boxer, and while it is unclear how or why he is pursuing a career in Thailand, it’s apparent that he makes his money selling drugs. A crack-addict himself, it’s only a matter of time before Moore gets caught and about 10 minutes into the film that happens, and chaos ensues.

Billy arrives at the prison scared, confused, and alone. Unfamiliar with the language and the sudden culture shock, Billy realizes the only way to survive is to put on a tough front. However, faux confidence isn’t enough to stop him from getting repeatedly assaulted and mentally tortured. He watches as other young men are raped by older inmates in the most degrading of ways. The men are animalistic, tattooed and sweaty, and uphold the stereotypical imagery of degenerate Thai prisons. Corruption runs amuck between prisoners and guards, and the tension builds minute by minute. Internalizing this anxiety while trying to keep a brave face pushes Billy to the brink of despair. After partaking in a boxing match with other inmates, Billy gets a stroke of luck. His talent gets the attention of the prison guards, who offer him the opportunity to join the prison’s boxing team, which means moving cells and leaving the abuse behind. With just months to train and his freedom on the line, Billy makes history by becoming the first foreigner to join the Muay Thai team.

Watching [Joe Cole] onscreen, you’ll feel like you’ve also just gone through an emotionally taxing and exhausting 9 rounds of fighting.

Joe Cole, who rose to fame on the television show Peaky Blinders, shows his versatility as not just an actor, but a leading man. A Prayer Before Dawn may not be his breakout film, due to the film’s arguably one-note execution that lacks emotional depth, but his performance is nothing short gripping. Watching him onscreen, you’ll feel like you’ve also just gone through an emotionally taxing and exhausting 9-rounds of fighting.  Director Jean-Stéphane Sauvaire’s choice to not use extensive subtitles puts the viewer in Billy’s shoes as we struggle to make sense of what is unfolding in front of our eyes.  

A Prayer Before Dawn is based on the non-fiction international best-seller written by Billy Moore (who makes a well-deserved cameo at the end of the film). That said, there is much to be desired in the film adaptation- most importantly, delving into Billy’s backstory. We only get a glimpse of what this man suffered through but, I wonder, if we knew more about who Billy was prior to his arrest and imprisonment, would we feel even more sympathetic towards his situation? Perhaps. That said, the raw energy that A Prayer Before Dawn creates is an accomplishment on its own, and another win for A24.

‘A Prayer Before Dawn’ is rated R for strong violence including a brutal rape sequence, drug use, and language throughout, some sexual content and nudity. 116 minutes. Opening today at ArcLight Hollywood and available to rent on Amazon Prime.