Some fans and critics on platforms like Reddit wished for grittier, more "live" sounding drums to match the rock theme, feeling the studio version was slightly too polished. Visual Impact
" Prisoner " (2020) is a high-energy collaboration that blends gritty rock aesthetic with Dua Lipa’s sleek disco-pop. Critics generally view it as a standout "best of both worlds" moment, though some find it a step below Cyrus's solo hit "Midnight Sky". Musical Style & Themes
Many praised how their similar husky alto timbres complement each other without competing. Miley Cyrus - Prisoner ft. Dua Lipa
While Rolling Stone hailed it as a perfect split of their styles, Variety was less impressed, calling it a "spun-synth-sugar mess" that lacked originality.
The music video, co-directed by Cyrus, is a "goth bus" road trip packed with 80s punk-glam references and tour bus debauchery. It received praise on IMDb for its high-energy visuals, even with its intentional "low production value" aesthetic. Some fans and critics on platforms like Reddit
The track is a mix of dark pop , glam rock , and nu-disco , bridging the gap between Cyrus's Plastic Hearts rock era and Lipa's Future Nostalgia disco sound.
Reviewers from NME note heavy 1980s nostalgia, specifically referencing Olivia Newton-John’s "Physical" and the rock-tinged energy of Joan Jett . Musical Style & Themes Many praised how their
Watch these reactions and behind-the-scenes clips to see the song's energy and the artists' chemistry: