Street Asylum
Street Asylum

Movie spotlight

Street Asylum

1990
Movie
94 min
English

In the bleak near future Los Angeles has become a dangerous war zone with cops pitted against assorted law-breaking lowlifes. Sergeant Arliss Ryder (well played with customary wired intensity by the always great Wings Hauser) has an electronic device put into his back that turns him into an out-of-control psychotic killer and put on the Strike S.Q.U.A.D. (an acronym for Scum Quelling Assault Urban Devision), which is a unit of crazed cops assigned by Captain Bill Quinton (a typically gruff Alex Cord) to rid the City of Angels of criminals by using any means necessary. The only problem is that Arliss discovers what's going down and decides to put a stop to all this madness.

Insights

IMDb5.2/10
Director: Jooneed MohamdallyGenres: Action, Crime, Drama

Plot Summary

In the gritty urban landscape, a young woman named Kristi becomes entangled in a dangerous world of crime and corruption. She must navigate treacherous streets and confront ruthless individuals to survive and find a way out of the cycle of violence. The film explores themes of survival, loyalty, and the harsh realities faced by those living on the margins of society.

Critical Reception

Street Asylum is a low-budget independent film that received a limited release and largely went unnoticed by mainstream critics. Its raw portrayal of street life and crime resonated with some audiences for its gritty realism, while others found its storytelling and production values to be amateurish. The film is often considered a cult classic within certain circles for its unpolished but intense depiction of urban struggles.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its authentic depiction of street-level crime and survival.

  • Criticized for its predictable plot and underdeveloped characters.

  • Seen as an earnest but flawed attempt at urban drama.

Google audience: Audience reception for Street Asylum is scarce due to its limited distribution. What little feedback is available suggests a mixed reaction, with some viewers appreciating its gritty realism and others finding it to be a forgettable entry in the crime genre.

Fun Fact

The film was produced and directed by Jooneed Mohamdally, who also served as the writer and editor, highlighting a very independent and personal filmmaking effort.

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