User reviews

I didn't expect much and didn't get much. Sub par acting, the plot was predictable and mundane.

4.8

This movie could have been so great...it really saddens me...the parts that are shown were really good to me...the problem is it's like watching a movie that you fell asleep on 3 or 4 times...waking up again and again having to figure out what you missed...it was a lot going on but nothing was completely explored in it's entirety...this could have easily been a two hour movie to better open and close the chapters of the story...for what it was though I would recommend it if you have a broad imagination...kind of like putting together a jigsaw puzzle with missing pieces...but still being able to see what the picture is supposed to look like in the end...

I saw that another reviewer compared Obey to La Haine and I can get that if you base it on rebelling youth without any future against police brutality but Obey is more about a young guy searching for love whilst living with his alcoholic mother and her bad relationship choices. A good job done by Marcus Rutherford playing the young and desperate Leon. The London riots just add to the dark story, where the people live day by day without any hope of a brighter future. La Haine on the other hand was purely about ghetto youth against the whole corrupt system. A movie that I preferred to Obey if I have to be honest but to me it's a totally different movie. That said, Obey isn't a bad movie.

Obviously this film has good intentions in telling the story that it wants to tell but unfortunately it falls flat with a way to familiar story I have seen told in films way to many times about how rough it is to be young living in an urban ghetto side of town. It was predictable mundane and at times a bit boring.

Took a shot in the dark on this one and was pleasantly surprised. It portrays how wicked humanity has truly become.

I anticipate all those middle-class "hip" critics will do the usual thing and call this film "gritty", "realistic" and all the other "worthy" epithets. I just found it boring and depressing. The actors did their best. But we need something more than just a mirror on our society today. I know what it looks like outside my front door. We need something to inspire us. To point us to a new world. Rated "1" out of frustration.

Amazing how well the movie can put you to sleep. I genuinely fell asleep twice while trying to get through this film. Tries a bit to hard in places where the lack of dialogue and mundane nature of the character(s) fails to grab any attention. Could it be a better film if the packing was different? Hard to say as the character and actions were all quite predictable and boring.

I really enjoyed this. Had no expectations and it delivered a reasonably realistic portrayal of street life in 2011. Worked for me.

I lived in London for many years and this is one of the very few films that has portrayed the rough times during 2011 London Riots in such realistic and vibrant way. Superbly directed with great performances and no pretension. More films like this should be made so that we are aware of what's happening beyond our bubbles...

Didn't know what to expect watching this but it opened by eyes to that side of London life and culture. For an unknown cast, some brilliant performances.

An impressive debut film from Jamie Jones which is beautifully shot with two outstanding performances from T'nia Miller and Marcus Rutherford. I was living in London at the time of the riots and this film not only captures the tension of the time very well but the insight into life in inner city London is spot on. Highly recommended.

I just finished watching obey and I took a gamble watching it as it wasn't my usual type of pick but wow what a surprise to find such a great film. Marcus Rutherfords excellent portrayal of a youth trapped in a social hell hole struggling to do right, you can't help but root for him as he struggles against circumstances beyond his control. As my title says I was much reminded of the first time I watched quadrapheania, the wild struggle of our youth finding a way to live in a world that just doesn't care or see their plight, the portrayal of your mates that effectively become your family was done brilliantly and the spiral of situations and events that push you inevitably toward a life you just may not want or see coming. Just brilliant. Watch this film and be heartened by the fact British filmmaking is by no means lacking directorial talent or acting talent for that matter. I can honestly say I didn't see one bad portrayal in the entire film. Wow what a refreshing experience to be captivated by a movie, totally caught up in the lead actors situation and with barely a word spoken Marcus portrays every emotion and thought like youre in his head, just a brilliant example of acting, puts some of the so called great actors to shame! . All I can say is I'll be looking to find other films with these actors and directors/producers. Bravo! More! More!

In this raw, uncompromising drama based on the 2011 London riots. T'nia Miller, and Marcus Rutherford steal the show with gritty, dramatic, accurate portrayals of the intricate complexities of people affected by poverty, abandonment, and austerity. These themes are thus transferred from experience into full rebellions and riots.

A really good film, story draws you in very well and it feels real. Not sure why some people give this bad reviews, this is a very decent film . Recommended

A very real and moving character study. Predictable in a couple of places but more because it's clear that's how those characters would react in each given situation, rather than because there was anything wrong with the writing.

Such an interesting film, worth the watch. The soundtrack in particular is super effective and I was fully immersed the whole screening. Would watch again.

With the London riots of 2011 dominating the background the movie focuses on the conditions & lives of a few of the teen participants. From the rebellious affluent to the less educated poor as they struggle for some meaning, fun and survival. Dialogue filled w/profanity with some sexually explicit.