An intense, unpredictable, and thought-provoking thriller that connects an unlikely group of strangers through murder and cover-ups across two continents.

Inside Man explores deep truths about human nature, especially the paradoxes of what we will accept of ourselves, others, and society. The main American character, Jefferson Grieff, is a former criminology professor now on Death Row for brutally murdering his own wife. As he waits to be executed, he agrees to help people solve other crimes using his expertise, if they meet his criteria of “moral worth.” A British journalist wishing to report on Grieff’s unusual circumstances soon realizes that he may be able to help her solve a friend’s sudden and questionable disappearance in her home country.  

‍

Each moment of Inside Man is carefully orchestrated so that the plots become increasingly intricate, absorbing, and morally blurred. Viewers are left to question the meaning of inflicted harm, punishment, and redemption. One tip: there is a scene after the credits that you won’t want to miss!

I’ve had the privilege of teaching English courses on-and-off in the federal and military prison system for over 15 years. I use the word privilege, which may sound strange, because very few ordinary citizens get an actual, Hollywood-free, look inside this world. I’ve taught men of all ages and backgrounds, some serving brief sentences and some serving the rest of their lives. Though technically they are not supposed to share their stories or criminal acts with me, this can’t be helped in the classes I teach. As upsetting and disturbing as it often is, I’m grateful, because I am overwhelmingly reminded that they are human beings. This doesn’t excuse the laws they’ve chosen to break, and it definitely doesn’t excuse the horrific harm that many have inflicted. However, it does (for me at least) provide a broader picture of how powerful external circumstances can be, causing humans to turn on each other and society in violence, betrayal, or deceit.

‍

Inside Man offers this very experience to viewers through a messy domino effect of accidental influences on personal choices and actions. The characters are simultaneously likable and terrifying, sympathetic and reprehensible, individually guilty and at the mercy of uncontrollable events. Though I’m not a heavy consumer of “true crime” stories, their growing popularity is a phenomenon I understand. As Inside Man reminds us, we are nearly all capable of darkness under the “right” circumstances. Maybe that’s why it’s intriguing to observe others who have been driven to or voluntarily taken that path, and frightening to think that we might be more similar on the inside than we realize.