The new thriller Locked has now opened in theaters. But is it any good? I’ve seen it, so let me answer that question for you.
Locked throws you headfirst into a pressure cooker of tension, a psychological thriller that’ll have you squirming in your seat. Forget your typical cat-and-mouse game; this is a twisted experiment in justice, or rather, a brutal distortion of it. At the center of it all is Anthony Hopkins, playing a man pushed to the edge, a vigilante who’s had enough of the scum that plagues his city. He’s decided to take matters into his own hands, setting a meticulously crafted trap, and the bait is a shiny, seemingly abandoned SUV.
Enter Eddy, played with a raw, desperate energy by Bill Skarsgård. Eddy’s a small-time crook looking for a quick score. He stumbles upon the SUV, an easy target, or so he thinks. The moment he climbs inside, the doors slam shut, the windows lock, and he’s trapped. What follows is a descent into a nightmare, a twisted game orchestrated by Hopkins’s character, who communicates with Eddy through the car’s phone.
Locked isn’t just about physical torment, although that’s certainly present and disturbingly effective. It’s the psychological warfare that genuinely gets under your skin. Skarsgård’s Eddy, initially a petty thief, is gradually stripped bare, his vulnerabilities exposed, his desperation laid out for the audience to witness. Even though he’s made bad choices, you can’t help but feel a growing sense of unease, a creeping pity. He’s a flawed human, caught in a terrifying predicament.
And then there’s Hopkins. He’s, well, Hopkins. He’s a masterclass in controlled intensity. He portrays a man consumed by grief and rage, a self-appointed judge, jury, and executioner. His character is a complex contradiction, a victim-turned-villain driven by a warped sense of justice. Hopkins delivers a performance that is cold, detached, and utterly compelling. You can feel the weight of his pain, the chilling emptiness that fuels his actions.
Skarsgård, often known for his more monstrous roles, delivers a surprisingly human performance. He brings a raw vulnerability to Eddy, making him relatable despite his flaws. You see the desperation, the fear, and the flicker of humanity thal remains. His love for his daughter, a beacon of hope in the darkness, adds another layer of emotional depth.
This film is even more disturbing because it is based on the true story of Roberto Desumvila. Frustrated by persistent car thefts, Desumvila rigged a vehicle to trap would-be thieves, allowing him to apprehend and, presumably, punish them. This chilling real-world inspiration adds a layer of unnerving realism to Locked.
Locked, directed by David Yarovesky, is a masterfully crafted exercise in claustrophobia. The film’s confined setting, the interior of the SUV, becomes a character in itself, amplifying the tension and creating a palpable sense of dread. I’ll admit, I was initially skeptical. A movie confined to a car? But within minutes, I was utterly engrossed, my heart pounding in my chest.
This isn’t just another generic thriller. Locked lingers. It forces you to confront uncomfortable questions about justice, revenge, and the blurred lines between victim and perpetrator. It’s a dark, disturbing, and ultimately unforgettable experience. If you’re looking for a film that will keep you on the edge of your seat and leave you pondering its implications long after the credits roll, then Locked is an absolute must-see. Watch Locked in theaters now!
