WHAT’S IT ABOUT
When Eddie breaks into a luxury SUV, he steps into a deadly trap set by a self-proclaimed vigilante who delivers his own brand of twisted justice. Trapped inside the car, Eddie soon discovers escape is an illusion and survival is a nightmare.
MOVIESinMO REVIEW
In this new thriller called “Locked,” Eddie is locked in a car that he tried to steal. Things go south quickly, and the owner of the car, William, seeks to discipline Eddie. As the two men attempt to fight for the top of the dominance hierarchy in what turns into a life or death situation, the tension builds throughout the film. Bill Skarsgård’s character, Eddie, is a frustrated father who tries to take charge of his life. By breaking into a pricey SUV, he finds himself in a heart-stopping experience when he discovers that William, portrayed by Anthony Hopkins, traps him. William gets behind the wheel, using the car’s hi-tech features to terrify Eddie half to death, who, in panic, tries to make a getaway by smashing glass and clawing at the car bodies. For his pains, though, he finds himself quickly stuck inside a bulletproof compartment with no way out. The film’s ability to create a very real and heavy sense of unease is one of its strengths, with the car as the center of the narrative. The fact that the car is an actor in the drama is hard to miss and intensifies the urgency of the situations that unfold in the drama. While the premise does involve some suspension of reality—how William can control pieces of the car remotely or tend to Eddie’s wounds when he is in a coma—these elements do still function within the context of the story. As the rest of the film goes on, viewers are along for a rollercoaster ride of high tension, in part because of Skarsgård and Hopkins’ performances. Hopkins adds another level of depth to William. His intimidating villainous demeanor is at once frightening and oddly funny, reciting lines smoothly, which change from threatening warnings to diabolically humorous one-liners as he manipulates Eddie’s psyche. He even scolds Eddie for swearing, an odd reversal of his being the bad guy. Eddie isn’t your average thief; he’s introduced to us as someone who lives in squalor. He has a daughter, Sarah, with whom he is behind on child support payment activity, that signifies he is an unreliable parent. He is attempting to turn his life around by getting a delivery job; however, through a series of unpleasant surprises, he descends back into stealing once again. The moment he breaks into the SUV, claiming it for himself in a deserted parking lot, is the beginning of his nightmare. One of the significant themes is the disparity between the wealthy and the poor. William, wealthy and influential, is the voice of outrage for justice against those who encroach upon the lives of the rich. Eddie, on the other hand, is the voice of the ordinary man who resorted to desperate actions by circumstances beyond his control. Their discussions underscore their differing outlooks on life, and though the debates tend to be slightly contrived at moments—especially when they become political rants—the tension underneath is compelling and effective. The pace of the movie picks up quickly, pulling the audience into the disorganized life of Eddie in short order. In its first few minutes, the audience discovers his financial troubles, as well as the stress he’s under to care for Sarah. It’s a dirty existence, and the script does a good job of establishing his desperation before sending him into the main conflict. Soon after, Eddie is up against a nearly impossible challenge: fighting for survival against William’s iron fist. Through their conversations via the car’s communication system, Eddie and William learn about one another as they start their psychological battle.The car’s numerous cameras allow William to watch Eddie’s frantic attempts to escape, making the situation even more claustrophobic. The early scenes crackle with energy as Eddie realizes he has no way to call for help and no access to food or water. He becomes acutely aware of his isolation, highlighted by a billboard for fast food he can see from inside the car. Maintaining his dominance, William uses the car’s functions to further unnerve Eddie. He modifies the temperature to keep Eddie uncomfortable, even adding electric shocks through the seats to exert power over his victim in a sadistic manner. It is a tense setup that skillfully appeals to the terror of being entirely at someone else’s mercy. Even when the action becomes outrageous—like William remote-controlling the car while Eddie is still inside—the narrative remains anchored in the psychological dynamics of the two characters. The momentum of the story picks up as days pass in the car. Eddie finds himself grappling not only with his predicament but also with growing despair. His situation becomes increasingly dire, and the film skillfully layers in the physical and emotional fatigue he experiences as he tries to figure out a plan for escape. The clash of wills escalates thanks to the unique backdrop that repeatedly reminds Eddie of his vulnerability. Although the film does drag at certain points—particularly in the middle section—there is always a sense of urgency that engages the viewer. And if it’s not Skarsgård’s and Hopkins’s chemistry that does, the film’s later beats are going to elevate the action as William’s actions toward Eddie become bolder and expire Eddie’s already dwindling resources. Is this the thrilling film a viewer came to see? The film has a fascinating narrative that is completely committed to control, justice, and desperation. The film is very preoccupied with many common tropes of the thriller genre, but its performances keep the film grounded in the everyday life in which the characters find themselves, truly making a viewer develop an inherent empathy towards the characters navigating their own poor choices. Eddie’s fight for his life and William’s calculated madman create a thick plot that grips with simplicity that engages the viewer in an experience they won’t forget. Locked represents a heavy-hitting confrontation between a desperate man and a man with greater power taking place in the context of a social commentary that invokes thoughts of larger issues, all the while the viewer is cheering for Eddie’s survival. Despite some narrative quirks and moments of disbelief, this thriller delivers an engaging story that resonates well beyond its runtime, prompting reflections on inequality, personal responsibility, and the human capacity for resilience when faced with overwhelming odds.
OUR RATING – A SOCIETAL 7