Locked will give you a 'nailbiting' and 'memorable time at the movies'
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is a nailbiting, suspense fuelled thriller from director David Yarovesky and producer Sam Raimi. Adapted from a 2019 Brazilian film, , it is loosely based on a true story about a thief who tries to steal a car, only to find himself locked inside the vehicle, which is being controlled remotely by a vindictive vigilante. Given this premise, almost the entire film takes place in a single location and features only five speaking roles, making for an intelligent, low budget exercise in tension and dread.
The film stars Bill Skarsgård as Eddie Barrish, a young father who has fallen into financial crisis and turns to petty theft in order to stay afloat in a sea of debt. Succumbing to desperation, Eddie breaks into a luxury SUV, only to realise he has walked into a sinister trap. At the mercy of an unseen captor, he soon learns the dire consequences of his actions. Having previously played Pennywise the Clown in , it was refreshing to see Skarsgård in a performance liberated from prosthetics and visual effects. This is arguably his best role yet as he plays Eddie with perfect pathos and vulnerability. Though we know the character is a criminal, the powerful performance allows the audience to connect with him on a human level and understand his plight.
Acting royalty Anthony Hopkins stars opposite Skarsgård as William Larsen, a wealthy man who seeks to deliver his own brand of twisted justice. Though he remains unseen for most of the film, Hopkins’ voice alone is able to create a truly terrifying character as he taunts and torments Eddie over the car’s speaker system. Frustrated with the incompetent judicial system, William aims to educate Eddie about the consequences of one’s actions in a game of psychological and sometimes physical torture.
Much of the film’s 90-minute runtime consists of thought-provoking conversations between predator and prey as they debate justice, morality and social inequality. The film even draws attention to the interesting role reversal of the two characters ‒ in different circumstances William could be seen as the hero, acting as an almost Batman-like figure, and Eddie would resemble a common criminal finally facing justice. However, the carefully crafted characterisation of the two compels the audience to sympathise with the criminal and condemn the vigilante.
I must admit, I went into this film with low expectations, assuming it would be nothing more than a predictable and ultimately forgettable crime movie. What I did not expect was a fast-paced, edge-of-your-seat thriller with excellent performances and engaging themes of social divide and inequality. I would highly recommend this film to anyone in need of a memorable time at the movies.
