The Escapist (2002 film)

The Escapist is a 2002 independent drama film directed by Gillies MacKinnon and starring Jonny Lee Miller, Andy Serkis, and Paloma Baeza.

The film centers on Denis (Jonny Lee Miller), an addict struggling with heroin addiction and the fallout of his self-destructive behavior. After a particularly harrowing overdose, Denis attempts to turn his life around and reconnect with his former girlfriend, Sylvie (Paloma Baeza), and their young daughter.

However, Denis's past and his addiction continue to haunt him, making his path to recovery fraught with challenges. He finds himself drawn back into the criminal underworld through Ricky (Andy Serkis), an old acquaintance, and must fight to escape the destructive cycle threatening to consume him.

The film explores themes of addiction, redemption, and the struggle for personal freedom against seemingly insurmountable odds. It received generally positive reviews for its performances and realistic portrayal of addiction.