Starred Up 2 (2025): A Sequel That Needs the Same Brutal Truth

They told us Eric escaped prison—but can he escape his past?

Nearly a decade after the raw, powerhouse prison drama Starred Up shocked audiences with its unflinching realism and unforgettable father-son conflict, talk of Starred Up 2 continues to echo among fans and critics alike. The original 2013 film, led by an extraordinary performance from Jack O’Connell and solid direction by David Mackenzie, remains a benchmark for prison cinema. Officially, there has been no confirmation of a sequel, nor any green lighting from those involved—but the appetite for more remains undeniable.

Starred Up 2 would need to navigate that brutal world again: Eric Love trying to survive long after being transferred to adult prison, and Neville, his father, deepening into the system’s dark arteries. The original left enough cracks in both their arcs—Eric’s fight for identity, Neville’s broken paternal role—to fuel a sequel that digs deeper into loyalty, violence, and the possibility of redemption. If the raw authenticity of the first film could be preserved, a follow-up could feel like glimpsing the next chapter of a living relationship unfolding behind bars.

The challenge lies in recapturing that atmosphere. David Mackenzie and screenwriter Jonathan Asser built Starred Up from real experiences inside a violent system, giving the story both emotional gravity and bleak honesty. A sequel would need the same foundation: truth-telling, psychological depth, and cinematic realism. The chemistry between O’Connell and Ben Mendelsohn was the backbone, and without that fragile yet explosive dynamic, any return risks feeling hollow or purposeless.

Despite these hurdles, the door remains ajar. Neither worldwide acclaim nor the ongoing relevance of prison reform have dimmed interest in further exploring Eric and Neville’s journey. Social conversations around incarceration continue to evolve, and a sequel could inject fresh urgency into the discussion—if it dares to confront systemic brutality. Ultimately, whether Starred Up 2 happens depends on creative courage: to step back into that claustrophobic ring and fight again.

For now, Starred Up stands as a self-contained masterpiece—but one whose fractures still resonate. A sequel isn’t needed to validate the original; it only needs to prove that there is more truth to expose. And if that spark ignites, then perhaps the next installment could illuminate the path from violence toward something like hope—or at least understanding.