The dialogue ("We're not so different, you and I") can sound a little ripe, but the action is appropriately brutish and impeccably timed.

It's an interesting premise, with moments of tension and visceral gore, but Taylor-Johnson's performance isn't strong enough to rescue the film from lengthy stretches of banality.

Like waterboarding, it ought to qualify as "cruel and unusual punishment".

...mostly due to its modest length and effective lead performance, I'm inclined to give The Wall a modest recommendation...