The Inspection

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1:17

The Inspection

R

2022

1h 34m

Drama

LGBTQ+

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

88%

Tomatometer

141 Reviews

91%

Popcornmeter

50+ Verified Ratings

In Elegance Bratton's deeply moving film inspired by his own story, a young, gay Black man, rejected by his mother and with few options for his future, decides to join the Marines, doing whatever it takes to succeed in a system that would cast him aside. But even as he battles deep-seated prejudice and the grueling routines of basic training, he finds unexpected camaraderie, strength, and support in this new community, giving him a hard-earned sense of belonging that will shape his identity and forever change his life.

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Critics Consensus

Although it's frustratingly clumsy in certain respects, The Inspection is an affecting actors' showcase in service of some truly worthy themes.

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David Stratton

The Australian

05/08/2023

3.5/5

The Inspection succeeds in the end because this powerful real-life character study is firmly rooted in reality.

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Sandra Hall

Sydney Morning Herald

05/04/2023

4/5

It’s Ellis’s story and [Jeremy Pope] keeps you on his side all the way with a performance so direct, intuitive -- and restrained -- that you feel as if he’s letting you in on his every thought.

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Wendy Ide

Observer (UK)

02/19/2023

4/5

Fiercely candid, in its condemnation of the brutality that is enmeshed in the training programme, and in its celebration of the bonds and brotherhood that grow between fellow cadets.

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Jericho Tadeo

MovieWeb

07/12/2024

Bratton's film makes the argument that, amidst the brutality of war (and in training for it), strength can also be found in and built upon vulnerability and empathy.

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Maxance Vincent

InSession Film

03/06/2024

A-

The Inspection remains a must-see. With career-defining performances from Pope, Castillo, and Woodbine, the film is one of the most important of the year, born out of someone's personal trauma for the world to see.

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Tina Kakadelis

Beyond the Cinerama Dome

02/25/2024

As the film progresses, the audience is begging for The Inspection to challenge them on something. Anything. The film doesn’t need to be pro- or anti-military to be successful, but it does need to know what it wants to say.

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Stephen T

01/21/2023

Serious story about a real life. Marine training is tough but should be kept under control.

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Joe Ft Lauderdale

01/11/2023

It is so right to the point.

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Tristan

12/13/2022

Beautifully redemptive storytelling. Powerful performance from Jeremy Pope.

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Sandy

12/12/2022

I loved the movie. It was a good story especially that is is based on a true story. Acting is very good. I would recommend it.

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Zuko

12/10/2022

good movie and story that brought me back to my days in the Marine Corps (minus some stuff :/)

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Fortune

12/10/2022

Liked: performance of Gabrielle Union and Jeremy Pope. Liked the end of movie during and after graduation. Disliked: pace of the movie there wasn't enough time for character development, it was too fast. didn't like relationship between mother & son, it didn't evolve enough.

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Elegance Bratton

Director

Jeremy Pope

Ellis French

Raúl Castillo

Rosales

McCaul Lombardi

Harvey

Aaron Dominguez

Castro

Bokeem Woodbine

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The Inspection: Exclusive Movie Clip - My Son

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The Inspection: Exclusive Featurette - Mother and Son

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The Inspection: Exclusive Featurette - Survival and Determination

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The Inspection: Teaser Trailer

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The Inspection: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

In Elegance Bratton's deeply moving film inspired by his own story, a young, gay Black man, rejected by his mother and with few options for his future, decides to join the Marines, doing whatever it takes to succeed in a system that would cast him aside. But even as he battles deep-seated prejudice and the grueling routines of basic training, he finds unexpected camaraderie, strength, and support in this new community, giving him a hard-earned sense of belonging that will shape his identity and forever change his life.

Director: Elegance Bratton
Producer: Chester Algernal Gordon, Effie Brown
Screenwriter: Elegance Bratton
Distributor: A24
Production Co: Gamechanger Films, Doco Digital, Freedom Principle
Rating: R (Sexual Content|Language Throughout|Some Nudity|Violence)
Genre: Drama, LGBTQ+
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 2, 2022, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 22, 2022
Box Office (Gross USA): $261.0K
Runtime: 1h 34m