Is The Toll Worth Watching?
Answer: Maybe not, The Toll is likely a skip if you enjoy Comedy movies.
It features a runtime of 83 minutes and offers a standard storyline that appeals to mature audiences.
The Toll Review
Last updated: January 18, 2026
Detailed Premise & Narrative Foundations
Released in the dynamic cinematic landscape of 2021, The Toll emerges as a significant entry in the Comedy, Thriller, Crime domain. The narrative core of the film focuses on a sophisticated exploration of Brendan works solo shifts in the quietest toll booth in Wales, hiding from a criminal past where nobody would ever look. Unlike standard genre fare, The Toll attempts to deconstruct traditional tropes, offering a conventional take on its central themes.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Comedy is often anchored by its ensemble, and The Toll features a noteworthy lineup led by Michael Smiley . Supported by the likes of Annes Elwy and Gary Beadle , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
In summary, our editorial assessment of The Toll (2021) is mixed. With an audience rating of 5.5/10, it stands as a highly recommended experience for genre enthusiasts.
The Toll Plot Summary & Detailed Storyline
Quick Plot Summary: The Toll is a Comedy, Thriller, Crime film that brings laughter through clever writing and comedic timing, offering both entertainment and social commentary. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.
The Toll Ending Explained & Final Analysis
Ending Breakdown: The Toll attempts to tie together its various plot elements. The finale presents its approach to comedy resolution.
The final reveal recontextualizes earlier scenes, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the comedy themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of The Toll reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
The Toll Real vs. Reel: Is it Based on a True Story?
The Toll incorporates elements from real criminal cases. As a comedy, thriller, crime film, it navigates the space between factual accuracy and narrative engagement.
Historical Context
The film takes creative liberties to enhance dramatic impact. Core events maintain connection to source material while adapting for theatrical presentation.
Creative interpretation shapes the final narrative, focusing on emotional truth over strict chronology.
Accuracy Assessment: The Toll adapts its source material for dramatic purposes. The film prioritizes thematic resonance over documentary precision.
Who Should Watch The Toll?
Consider Watching If:
- You're a completist for Comedy films
- You're curious despite mixed reviews
- You have low expectations and want casual entertainment
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Full Cast & Crew of The Toll
- Michael Smiley – Toll Booth
- Annes Elwy – Catrin
- Gary Beadle – Elton
- Iwan Rheon – Dom
- Steve Oram – Mr Henry
Top Highlights
Michael SmileyToll Booth
Annes ElwyCatrin
Gary BeadleElton
Iwan RheonDom
Steve OramMr Henry
Evelyn MokDixie
Paul KayeCliff
Julian GloverMagnus
Darren EvansTab
Gwyneth KeyworthThe Triplets
Where to Watch The Toll Online?
Streaming Hub📺 Stream on
Amazon Prime Video
Amazon Prime Video with Ads🎟️ Rent on
Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
YouTube
Fandango At Home🏷️ Buy on
Amazon VideoApple TVGoogle Play MoviesYouTubeFandango At HomeParents Guide & Age Rating
The Toll is rated NR. Parents should be aware that it contains mature themes, violence.
Final Verdict
Analyzing the audience sentiment, IMDb rating of 5.5/10, and global collection metrics, The Toll stands as a challenging project for the creators. It remains an essential piece of the 2021 cinematic year.
Official Trailer
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Toll movie hit or flop?
The Toll has received mixed reviews with a 5.5/10 rating, making it a moderate success with the audience.
Is The Toll worth watching?
The Toll is a mixed bag. It might be worth watching if you're a fan of Comedy, Thriller, Crime movies, but read reviews first.
Where can I watch The Toll online?
The Toll is currently available for streaming on Amazon Prime Video. You can also check for it on platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads depending on your region.
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How The Toll Compares & Where it Ranks
Critic Reviews for The Toll
Now I'm usually a fan of Welsh movies. They usually excel at making me laugh, and at not taking themselves at all seriously. Well this one - not so much! Michael Smiley ("Brendan") mans a remote toll port-a-cabin in west Wales where he is lucky to see three or four cars per day. Why would anyone want such a dull job? Well local police officer "Catrin" (Annes Elwy) arrives at his booth one night and he proceeds to explain all about his somewhat dodgy criminal past, and soon we are immersed in a retrospective style feature involving kidnapping, murder and the theft of some iDrops! The comedic elements, and there are some, raise a smile for a few minutes but that doesn't sustain 80 minutes as the film quite quickly runs out of steam. Iwan Rheon is underused, and the soundtrack offers us hope of an ending that simply doesn't deliver. The dialogue is unnecessarily ripe at times, there's little shock or entertainment value in that anymore - we are all just to anaethetised to it now. Clearly a labour of love for Matt Redd and Ryan Hooper, and I suppose that this is the kind of low budget film that the BFI ought to be funding; but just wait til it gets onto the small screen. No need at all to see this at a cinema.
movieMx Verified
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
