LOCKED REVIEW: When the Key to Escape Is the Person You Hate the Most

Trapped inside a luxury SUV 🚙 with no way out, a thief- Bill Skarsgård (from IT) finds himself in a high-stakes psychological game with a menacing, disembodied voice on the other end of a phone. This isn't just a car; it's a cage. Produced by Sam Raimi and starring Academy Award winner Sir Anthony Hopkins as the mastermind, Locked delivers a fresh take on the single-location thriller and is a tense, claustrophobic watch from start to finish. 😬

A Cat-and-Mouse Game 🧠

What makes this film so compelling is its brilliant simplicity. The entire plot hinges on the electrifying dynamic between two characters, neither of whom is a typical hero. Skarsgård is fantastic as Eddie, a down-on-his-luck thief who thinks he's found an easy score. His initial panic and escalating desperation are a masterclass in physical acting, as he battles the car’s increasingly hostile features—from intense heat to taser shocks.

But the real villain of the story is the voice on the other end of the line. Anthony Hopkins, as the wealthy and vengeful William, is deliciously sinister. 😈 He's not physically present, but his control over the situation—and his chillingly calm psychological torture—makes him a formidable antagonist. Their verbal sparring is what drives the movie, each trying to outwit the other in a cruel battle of wills. This is best seen when a panicked Eddie, overwhelmed by the trap, screams at William, "You're a psychopath!" William pauses for a beat, savoring the moment, and replies in a chillingly calm voice: “I don’t think anyone’s ever called me a psychopath before.” It’s in these moments that we see William’s dark nature, as he seems to have masochistic tendencies, pushing Eddie to verbally lash out at him.

High-Tension, No Escape ⛓️

The movie leans heavily on its claustrophobic setting, using every inch of the car to build suspense. The tight shots and limited space amplify the feeling of being trapped, and you can practically feel the air running out. It's a dark, captivating film that keeps you guessing until the very end.

Each time the taser goes off, we can almost feel the sudden jolt of electricity and empathize with the thief, as we should anyway, I think? With every frame, Eddie's options seem to run out and he becomes more trapped not just physically, but mentally as well. As William keeps his cool and keeps driving his point home, we find ourselves feeling a little targeted as he taunts Eddie, "what have your 'Street Smarts' done for you?"

A Riveting Showcase

Locked is a showcase for its leads, proving that you don't need a sprawling set or a massive cast to create a memorable and thrilling experience. It’s a lean, mean, tension-filled machine that will leave you breathless and grateful you’re not trapped in that car. Will it help you make better judgement in life as well? I honestly can't say, seeing as I'm only here for the entertainment ...