Escape at Dannemora

Two prisoners are looking for a way out of Clinton Correctional Facility in upstate New York. Around them, staff have settled into familiar routines, and tailoring-shop supervisor Tilly Mitchell is deeply dissatisfied with her own life. Escape at Dannemora dramatises the circumstances around the 2015 prison breakout, with Paul Dano as David Sweat, Benicio del Toro as Richard Matt and Patricia Arquette as Tilly. Ben Stiller directs the seven-part 2018 limited series.

I really enjoyed it. The writing makes the everyday drudgery of this place unusually absorbing: people want attention, an easier shift or something to look forward to, and those ordinary wants create opportunities for men who are paying close attention. Dano is excellent, but Arquette steals the show. Tilly is awkward, irritable and desperate for more than her life seems likely to offer, and Arquette makes all of that convincing without reducing her to a joke.

The cold setting and deliberate pace suit a story where relationships matter as much as practical obstacles. This is a strong recommendation for anyone who enjoys character-led crime drama and the unfolding of an ambitious plan. It is one complete limited series rather than the beginning of a long catch-up.

Read my full review, or try The Night Of for another absorbing crime drama shaped by the institutions surrounding its characters. Current UK viewing options include Paramount+ according to JustWatch, checked on 20 September 2026.