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.

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 Featurette - Mother and Son

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The Inspection: Exclusive Featurette - Survival and Determination

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The Inspection: Teaser Trailer

1:17

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