The Intent is a 2016 British crime drama film co-directed by Femi Oyeniran and Kalvadour Peterson, centering on an undercover police officer named Gunz who infiltrates the violent TIC gang in South London, where he grapples with divided loyalties as the crew shifts from low-level drug dealing to armed robberies.^[1] The story explores themes of loyalty, moral conflict, and the allure of criminal life, with Gunz, portrayed by Dylan Duffus, becoming increasingly entangled in the gang's escalating activities led by the ruthless Hoodz (Tayo Jarrett).^[2] Written by Oyeniran and Peterson, the film features a cast including Shone Romulus as D'Angel, Jade Asha as Naeema, and Oyeniran himself as Mitch, alongside rappers Krept & Konan and Scorcher in supporting roles.^[3] Produced by Nicki SlimTing Films, PurpleGeko Productions, and It's Alot Productions, The Intent premiered in UK cinemas on July 29, 2016, marking Oyeniran's feature directorial debut and drawing comparisons to gritty urban thrillers for its depiction of inner-city gang dynamics.^[1] Critically, it received mixed reception, praised for its energetic pacing and authentic portrayal of South London street culture but critiqued for familiar plotting and uneven execution.^[3] The film later spawned a 2018 prequel, The Intent 2: The Come Up, expanding on the characters' backstories.^[4]

Synopsis

Plot summary

Gunz, an undercover police officer, is tasked with infiltrating the TIC crew, a gang operating in South London.^[5] The crew is led by Hoodz, who starts as a small-time weed peddler but quickly seeks greater gains through escalating criminal activities.^[1] Initially, Gunz joins the group and participates in low-level operations, but under Hoodz's direction, the crew shifts to armed robberies targeting corner shops and loan stores.^[1] This progression builds their confidence and resources, leading Hoodz to orchestrate a major heist against a prominent cocaine dealer to seize substantial money and drugs.^[1] As the crimes intensify and the crew confronts rival gangs, Gunz forms deep bonds with the members, causing him to lose contact with his police superiors and grapple with growing internal conflict.^[5] The gang's turn toward greater violence heightens the stakes, with Gunz torn between his duty to the force and his attachment to the life he has immersed himself in.^[5] Police suspicions mount over the crew's activities, inadvertently drawing scrutiny toward Gunz as well.^[1] The narrative builds to the climactic heist, where betrayals surface amid the chaos, forcing Gunz to confront his divided loyalties in a tense final standoff that resolves his allegiance.^[3]

Cast

The Intent features an ensemble cast of emerging British actors and grime musicians, many making their acting debuts, which underscores the film's authentic portrayal of urban South London street culture in this crime thriller.^[1][6] Dylan Duffus portrays Gunz, the undercover police officer whose divided loyalties between his assignment and growing attachment to the crew form the emotional core of the narrative.^[5][1] Tayo Jarrett, known professionally as the grime artist Scorcher, plays Hoodz, the ruthless leader of the TIC crew who drives the gang's criminal escalation from petty crime to high-stakes operations.^[7][1] Shone Romulus appears as D'Angel, a key crew member central to the group's heist planning and internal dynamics.^[5][8] Jade Asha stars as Naeema, a supporting female character intertwined with the crew's personal relationships and emotional undercurrents.^[5][6] Femi Oyeniran, who also directed and co-wrote the film, takes on the dual role of performer and crew member Mitch, contributing to the production's insider perspective on gang life.^[7][6] Additional cast members include Ashley Chin as G Money, a prominent gang figure, alongside grime artists Krept and Konan in roles as rival gang members and associates, highlighting the involvement of UK music stars in their acting debuts.^[7][9] The full credited cast also features Nicky Slimting Walker as Shane, Fekky as Blacks, DVS as a club owner, SeeJay100 as a dealer, and Fastlane Wez as a lookout, among others, many of whom were newcomers to film acting from the music scene.^[7][8][10]

Production

Development

The screenplay for The Intent was collaboratively written by Femi Oyeniran and Kalvadour Peterson, drawing inspiration from the gritty realities of South London street life and the moral complexities of undercover police operations within urban gangs.^[1][11] The Intent marked Oyeniran's feature film debut as writer-director, where he infused the narrative with personal insights from his experiences navigating urban crime stories in London.^[12][13] The project was produced under the banners of Nicki SlimTing Films, PurpleGeko Productions, and It's Alot Productions.^[3][14] Financing proved challenging for the low-budget production, estimated at just over £100,000, with the team relying on self-funding and private investors rather than securing support from UK film grants, highlighting the hurdles faced by emerging British filmmakers.^[12][15] Early drafts of the script underwent revisions to strike a balance between high-stakes action sequences and deeper character-driven drama, with the final version completed in 2015 ahead of principal photography.^[1] To authentically capture the cultural pulse of the setting, the filmmakers decided to integrate elements of grime music by casting prominent UK musicians such as Krept & Konan and Scorcher in key roles, blending hip-hop authenticity with cinematic storytelling.^[15][16]

Filming

Principal photography for The Intent took place in South London, where the production captured authentic urban settings including corner shops and mechanics to ground the story in a realistic depiction of the city's underbelly.^[1] Principal photography spanned several months in 2014 and early 2015, allowing for a tight schedule suited to its independent nature.

Release

Distribution

The Intent had its world premiere on 25 July 2016 at the Cineworld Haymarket in London, followed by a limited theatrical release across the United Kingdom on 29 July 2016. The film was self-distributed by its producers, Femi Oyeniran and Kalvadour Peterson, in collaboration with their company Purple Geko Films.^[17][18] The rollout was confined to a small number of screens, with a focus on urban venues in London to reach its target demographic of young, multicultural audiences familiar with grime culture and south London settings. This modest scale reflected the film's independent origins and grassroots appeal, allowing for targeted screenings in areas like Brixton and Peckham.^[19] Marketing strategies emphasized digital and community-driven promotion, leveraging social media platforms such as YouTube and Instagram to share trailers and behind-the-scenes content. Key efforts included collaborations with prominent grime artists like Krept & Konan, who starred in the film and appeared in official trailers to cross-promote via their fanbases, alongside endorsements from other cast members including Fekky and Scorcher. Festival screenings, including the premiere and subsequent showings at urban film events, helped generate word-of-mouth buzz within niche communities.^[10][20] Internationally, the film saw limited availability, remaining primarily UK-centric with no significant theatrical distribution in major markets such as the United States. The British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) issued a 15 rating, citing strong violence, language, and drug references as reasons for restricting access to viewers aged 15 and over. Promotional activities extended to the simultaneous release of an original motion picture soundtrack on 29 July 2016, featuring exclusive tracks from cast members and grime collaborators like Krept & Konan and Rudekid, which served as a tie-in to amplify the film's cultural resonance.^[21][22]

Home media

The Intent was released on DVD and digital video on demand (VOD) in the United Kingdom on July 29, 2016, the same day as its theatrical premiere. A limited edition DVD was included among the initial home media offerings.^[23][10] The film made its streaming debut on Netflix in May 2017, initially available in the UK and later expanding to international markets. It subsequently became accessible on Amazon Prime Video for rental and purchase. Digital download options emerged on platforms including Apple iTunes and Google Play Movies starting in 2017.^[24][25][26] No major re-releases or bundled editions with its 2018 prequel, The Intent 2: The Come Up, were issued in 2019. As of November 2025, The Intent is available for rent or purchase on digital platforms including Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV, though it is no longer streaming on Netflix. No 4K UHD upgrades have been produced. Physical media sales for the indie production were modest, reflecting its niche appeal and limited distribution.^[27]

Reception

Critical response

The film received mixed to negative reviews from critics, with praise for its energetic style and cultural authenticity overshadowed by criticisms of clichés and narrative familiarity. On Rotten Tomatoes, The Intent garnered a 50% Tomatometer score based on two reviews, reflecting limited critical attention, while the audience score stood at 37% from fewer than 50 ratings.^[3] On IMDb, it holds a 4.4/10 rating from 9,969 user votes, with common complaints centering on a predictable plot and lack of originality.^[5] Peter Bradshaw of The Guardian awarded the film 3 out of 5 stars, commending its "confidence and energy" in depicting a south London crime thriller, where small-time criminal Hoodz escalates from petty thefts to high-stakes drug heists, and noting the loose, freewheeling narrative that captures the pulse of urban life without feeling forced, though marred by a smattering of clichés.^[1] Directors Femi Oyeniran and Kalvadour Peterson were highlighted for their assured visuals that evoke the authenticity of South London's streets, integrating elements of local slang and community dynamics to represent underrepresented urban experiences.^[1] Feedback from London screenings emphasized this cultural representation, portraying the gritty realities of gang life and police infiltration as a truthful reflection of southeast London's multicultural underbelly.^[28] Critics and audiences alike pointed to weaknesses in originality and execution. Jamie Graham of Total Film gave it 2 out of 5 stars, criticizing the "second-hand plotting" and tedious slow-motion sequences that render the story derivative of established crime thrillers like Fast & Furious.^[29] User reviews on IMDb frequently decried the predictable storyline—particularly the undercover officer's arc—and issues with weak dialogue that fails to deepen character motivations, leaving figures like Gunz underdeveloped despite strong performances from leads such as Dylan Duffus and Scorcher.^[30] However, the film's integration of grime music into its soundtrack, featuring artists like Ghetts and Krept & Konan, was a bright spot, adding pulsating authenticity to the action and enhancing its ties to London's music scene.^[31]

Commercial performance

The Intent had a limited theatrical release in the United Kingdom on July 29, 2016, grossing $14,100 during its opening weekend across a small number of screens.^[32] The film's total UK box office earnings reached $21,305, representing its entire worldwide gross with no notable international performance outside the domestic market.^[32][19] As a low-budget independent production without major studio backing, the film's commercial results reflected the challenges faced by niche British urban thrillers, achieving modest theatrical returns primarily from a targeted audience of young urban viewers in the UK.^[33] This demographic appeal was enhanced by cameos from prominent grime artists, including Krept & Konan and Fekky, which helped draw interest within the UK's rap and street culture scenes.^[10][34] Relative to similar low-budget indie thrillers, The Intent underperformed at the box office despite promotional efforts tied to its grime affiliations, yet it succeeded in cultivating a dedicated niche following that supported ancillary markets.^[30] The film is available on streaming platforms and home media.^[19][35]

Prequel

Overview

The Intent 2: The Come Up is a 2018 British crime thriller film serving as a prequel to the 2016 film The Intent, exploring the origins of key characters and crews in the shared universe. Directed by Femi Oyeniran and Nicky SlimTing Walker, the story centers on a young Jay, portrayed by grime artist Ghetts, and his crew as they navigate the criminal underworld in Hackney, London, under the control of the ruthless Yardie boss Beverley. The narrative traces their early exploits, including a burglary shortly after a member's release from jail, which propels them into escalating conflicts and ambitions for independence, ultimately leading to the formation of the T.I.C. crew.^[36][37] The plot shifts settings from the gritty streets of Hackney to Jamaica, introducing international elements through a botched drug deal that fractures the group and heightens tensions. This journey abroad underscores the crew's precarious rise, marked by betrayal and violence, while highlighting Jay's internal struggle between loyalty to his peers and his personal aspirations to break free from Beverley's dominance. An undercover police officer, depicted as an early version of the character Gunz from the original film, begins infiltrating the group, adding layers of surveillance and moral ambiguity to their actions.^[38][39] Running 103 minutes, the film was released on 21 September 2018 in the United Kingdom, providing backstory for characters like Hoodz and Gunz that contextualizes the events of the 2016 original without delving into its main plot. By detailing the formative years and rivalries that shape the T.I.C. and Clappers crews, it expands the franchise's exploration of urban crime, loyalty, and the consequences of ambition in London's multicultural underworld.^[36][40]

Production and release

The prequel to The Intent, titled The Intent 2: The Come Up, was written and directed by Femi Oyeniran and Nicky "SlimTing" Walker, who began development in 2017.^[41] The production expanded on the original film's scope by incorporating more action-oriented elements, including intensified sequences that highlighted the characters' involvement in international crime networks.^[42] Filming took place across locations in the United Kingdom, primarily London, and Jamaica from late 2017 through early 2018, allowing the story to bridge British urban settings with Caribbean influences.^[41] The cast featured new additions such as rapper Ghetts in the lead role of Jay, Adam Deacon as Mustafa, and a cameo by Jamaican artist Popcaan, alongside reprises from original actors including Dylan Duffus as Shane and Ashley Chin as G Money.^[43][44] The film premiered in the United Kingdom on 21 September 2018, distributed through a partnership between Vertigo Releasing and Island Records, which marked the label's entry into film production.^[41][45] It achieved a worldwide box office gross of $573,194, significantly outperforming the original film's $21,291.^[46][19] Critical reception was mixed, with The Guardian awarding it 2 out of 5 stars and critiquing its emphasis on stylistic action over narrative depth.^[4] On IMDb, it holds a 3.9 out of 10 rating based on user reviews.^[36] The film became available for streaming on Netflix starting in 2019, broadening its accessibility beyond theatrical release.^[47] In 2018 interviews surrounding the release, Oyeniran and Walker discussed potential plans for a sequel to further explore the franchise's universe, though no developments or updates had materialized by 2025.^[48]