Detainment

Detainment follows the tense hours after two ten year olds are pulled into police custody on suspicion of abducting and murdering a toddler. The film refuses a simple yes or no verdict, instead presenting the case through dramatic scenes built from actual transcripts and voiced by actors who give their words to Jon and Robert. As cameras observe the interrogation rooms and the aftermath, the audience hears the boys defend themselves, suspects falter, and officers pursue leads. The approach foregrounds memory and misunderstanding rather than sensational action, inviting viewers to weigh the fragility of childhood against the gravity of criminal accusations without revealing a conventional resolution. Some scenes use implied dialogue and silence to heighten tension. Some viewers question power.

Directed by Vincent Lambe, Detainment released in 2018 as an Irish documentary drama drawn from real police transcripts. The film uses actors to reenact the interrogations of two ten year olds while presenting the case details as recorded in materials.

Box office details are not widely reported, reflecting the film's limited release and festival circuit status rather than a mainstream commercial run. It circulated in festivals and provoked discussion about the ethics of dramatizing real life crimes.

Detainment provoked debate about the ethics of depicting real child suspects and the limits of documentary storytelling. By using stage like performances anchored to actual transcripts, the film raised questions about memory, responsibility, and the line between innocence and accountability in sensitive cases. Its stark sound design and tight framing amplify the sense of confinement and moral risk.

Critics were divided on its approach yet pointed to its bold handling of a difficult topic. The film challenges viewers to confront how a crime affects perception of youth and what truth means when children speak under pressure. It pairs documentary grit with moral ambiguity.