County Lines
County Lines

County Lines

2020Movie90 minEnglish

A powerful drama about a mother and her fourteen year old boy who is groomed into a lethal nationwide drug selling enterprise, a 'County Line', which exploits vulnerable children and traffics them across Britain.

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Insights

IMDb6.6/10
Rotten Tomatoes96%
Metacritic80/100
Google Users87%
Director: Henry BlakeGenres: Crime, Drama

Plot Summary

County Lines is a gritty British drama that follows Simon, a young man from a disadvantaged background, who becomes involved in drug trafficking. He is groomed by a sophisticated dealer, and his life spirals into a dangerous world of coercion and violence as he's forced to transport drugs across the country. The film unflinchingly portrays the harsh realities of modern slavery and exploitation within the drug trade.

Critical Reception

County Lines received widespread critical acclaim for its raw portrayal of a serious social issue, its compelling performances, and its urgent direction. Critics praised its unflinching honesty and its ability to humanize victims of exploitation, though some noted its bleak subject matter. It was particularly lauded for bringing attention to the often-overlooked phenomenon of county lines drug operations.

What Reviewers Say

  • A powerful and urgent portrayal of exploitation in the drug trade.
  • Features standout performances, particularly from its lead actor.
  • Praised for its realistic and unflinching depiction of a difficult subject.

Google audience: Audiences largely praised 'County Lines' for its important social commentary and its gripping narrative. Many viewers found the film to be a harrowing but necessary watch, highlighting its realistic portrayal of the dangers faced by young people involved in drug trafficking.

Awards & Accolades

Nominated for Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director or Producer at the 2020 British Independent Film Awards.

Fun Fact

Director Henry Blake drew inspiration for the film from real-life cases and spent time speaking with individuals affected by county lines operations to ensure authenticity.

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TMDB Reviews

1 reviews
CinemaSerf

CinemaSerf

If you're not in the know about drug trafficking parlance, then the title won't mean much - but that's not so important as we get to know "Tyler" (Conrad Khan). He lives with his drop-out mum "Toni" (Ashley Madekwe) and young sister. His sc...