Locked

When a film is produced with a minimal cast, it typically is a well crafted film, i.e. "Alien", "Slingshot", "Arcadian", Brightburn", "Locke", "Flight Risk"  and the like. So, when I saw my first trailer of "Locked", I felt this was yet another film with a minimal cast, which caused me to think that this too could be an interesting film. As I was watching the film, it, like the rest of the aforementioned films was truly well written and directed.  

This is a relentless horror, psychological-thriller where luxury becomes deadly. When Eddie (Bill Skarsgard) breaks into a luxury SUV, he steps into a deadly trap set by William (Anthony Hopkins), a self-proclaimed vigilante delivering his own brand of twisted justice. With no means of escape, Eddie must fight to survive in a ride, where escape is an illusion, survival is a nightmare, and justice shifts into high gear. 

Others to round out the cast are Ashley Cartwright as Sarah Barrish, Eddie's daughter, Navid Charkhi as Butter, Michael Eklund as Karl, Emma Kombe as Little Girl and Sofia Tesema as Lipstick Woman. 

This film was directed with amazing grit, intensity, and adrenaline by David Yarovesky ("The Hive" '14, "Brightburn" '19, "Nightbooks" '21) plus TV, shorts, music videos, a video and a video game. Practically, the fast-paced aspect kicked in early on--talking about cutting to the chase--pun intended. At the beginning,the audience certainly gets a look at how Eddie is the way he is, however, we don't find out about why and how William turns out the way he is, but as the film, unfolds, we ultimately see the issues in which William has right along with Eddie's issues that he brings to this story. The way that this director was able to take us on this roller coaster ride so we see how this verbal cat-and-mouse game plays out is exhausting, but exhilarating. It was equally well penned by writer Michael Arlen Ross ("Turistas" '06, "The Throwaways" '15, "Fallen" '16, "Oracle" '23), based on the film, "4 x 4" by Mariano Cohn and Gaston Duprat. This film was written with about the same velocity of that of the film "Speed", where every frame was utilized to achieve the maximum effect. Will this film be nominated for an Oscar come that time? Probably not, but I believe this wasn't written for that reason as much as it was written for the suspense and the adrenaline aspect of it, and these filmmakers succeeded in spades. 

If you like action-packed, adrenaline-filled films, this is the film for you. It metaphorically drags one through that keyhole. It's only 95 minutes long, but I feel this is all one can handle given the intensity and sheer thrilling factor. Hold on to your seats, this is quite the ride!

Out of 4 Stars: 4                                  Rated: R                                           95mins.