Locked

Plot

Eddie is a career criminal, who despite his education and good heart, has never truly walked on the right path.

On a day where he is desperate for extra cash (in order to get his van fixed to collect his daughter), he tries to rob a luxury car. However on entering it, he discovers that he is trapped; locked in by the owner, William – who has been able to rig the car remotely with all manners of torture.

As the days pass, William plays mind games with Eddie, but will he break?

Direction/Cinematography

Directed by David Yarovesky, who I have previously directed his film Brightburn.

With a majority of the film occurring in the confines of a small car, there are some great camera work used (not just those belonging to the character William who set up small cameras in the car.

Early in the film there is a very impressive ‘double 360° take that follows the interior of the car. Quite impressive, and Yarovesky took great liberties to make this work.

Cinematography was by Michael Dallatorre.

Cast/Characters

A small cast, with really only two players, Bill Skarsgård as Eddie, who is practically on screen the entire film.

Anthony Hopkins, at 88, proves he can still command a villainous role – is William – however he is mostly voice-work up until the final act.

Ashley Cartwright plays Eddie’s daughter Sarah, who appears throughout the film.

Breakdown

The is a fairly quick progression that introduces Eddie to the audience as a (cliche?) deadbeat father and husband. He also clearly has a bad relationship with those around him judging by all the friends who ignore his phone calls. But he’s seen to be a good guy because he gives a thirsty dog in a car a drink.

He early in the film find himself locked inside a luxury SUV, that he soon learns is owned by a man named William – who has set it up as a trap to capture people who break the law. It is set up as sound proof, with bullet proof windows – and escape is practically impossible. But the educated Eddie, who knows all about cars has spied a way to get out… all the while he is being tortured by William – being starved, being frozen by the air-conditioner – boiled and dehydrated by the heater – to the point he must drink his own waste just to stay hydrated!

What transpires over the next few days are lengthy diatribes about life, etc with Eddie clearly impressing William with his knowledge of Karl Marx and Lord of the Rings. Mostly their discussions are in regards to the anarchy that the world around them devours.

William, who is a doctor, who hates the rude (typecast much?) is mostly off screen, who often times assists Eddie with some injuries he give himself (cutting himself, and shooting himself while attempting to escape). He finally comes on screen in the last half an hour, proving that at 88, Hopkins still has what it takes to command a screen. While he is essentially the antagonist (to the anti hero Eddie), his story about his loss (his daughter was murdered by gangsters in front of him), you can’t help but sympathise with him ever so slightly. However this is lost when he takes control of the car (after Eddie thinks he’s gotten the upper hand), and takes Eddie on a joy ride – happily killing two gangsters (quite brutally too!)

They both suffer from the ‘wrong place at the wrong time’. Eddie, for trying to rob and steal from the wrong person, and William for trapping the wrong person.

There are some very intense moments within the film too, especially in the second half when William, driving the car remotely – plays chicken with Eddie’s young daughter Sarah while she is playing on her scooter!

Some ‘downs’ are some lack of logic – like how much battery power does Eddie’s phone have? And just how much petrol does that car hold to drive around for days and days without refilling? The end of film car crash sequence has some on the nose CGI too..

Overall

Solid psychological thriller, with great performances by Skarsgård and Hopkins (who has a mostly voice only role until the final half hour).

Some brutal moments, as well as some tense moments (like with Eddie’s daughter v William) will leave you on the edge of your seat.

The final 5-10 minutes are a little on the nose, but all in all a solid watch.

4/5

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