Locked (2025)
Locked isn’t just a title—it’s a mood, a state of mind, and for 90 tense minutes, it’s exactly how you’ll feel watching Bill Skarsgård claw his way through one of the most uncomfortable, claustrophobic rides in recent cinema. Directed by David Yarovesky and produced by horror legend Sam Raimi, this one-location thriller sets the stage inside a high-tech SUV, and somehow turns it into the most unsettling place on Earth.
The setup is simple, but it really works. Eddie (Skarsgård), a petty criminal with a history of bad decisions, breaks into what looks like an easy steal—a fancy, parked SUV. Moments later, the doors lock, the windows seal, and the car becomes a prison. But this isn’t just a security feature gone wrong. There’s someone behind the scenes pulling the strings—William (played with eerie calm by Anthony Hopkins), who has his own reasons for turning Eddie’s night into a personal hell.
This is a reimagining of the Argentinian film 4×4, but given a slick American polish. It’s compact, fierce, and has more bite than you might expect for a film set almost entirely inside one car.
Let’s start with the performances. Bill Skarsgård is electric. He goes through the emotional wringer—sweating, screaming, laughing, breaking down—and makes you feel every second of Eddie’s panic and confusion. It’s a physically draining role, and Skarsgård nails the transformation from cocky crook to trapped man confronting his past. Hopkins, meanwhile, is chilling. His voice, often heard through the car’s speakers, oozes menace—not by being loud or aggressive, but by staying cool and calm. Think Hannibal Lecter if he became a tech-savvy vigilante.
Visually, the film makes the most of a small space. Yarovesky and cinematographer Autumn Durald Arkapaw use sharp angles, tight close-ups, and clever lighting to turn the SUV into a nightmare. You start feeling boxed in yourself, just like Eddie. The production design inside the car is top-notch too—it’s slick and luxurious at first glance, but hides all sorts of terrifying surprises that gradually get revealed.
The pace is steady and relentless. The film never feels rushed, nor does it drag. Every new detail that unfolds inside the car adds a new layer to the story. Editing is crisp, giving you just enough time to process what’s going on before the next twist hits. And those moments of silence? Deafening in the best way.
Dialogue is minimal but weighty. The conversations between Eddie and William are laced with judgment, regret, and a twisted sense of morality. There’s a recurring theme of justice vs. vengeance, and while the film doesn’t pretend to offer easy answers, it throws a lot of questions at you—how far is too far when it comes to punishing someone? Can someone really change, or are some people just born bad?
Symbolism sneaks in too. The SUV becomes a metaphor for control, privilege, even societal systems that trap people based on choices or circumstances. You could read a lot into it—or just enjoy the thrill ride, because the movie works either way.
The soundtrack by Timothy Williams complements the atmosphere without overstepping. The tension builds slowly with deep, resonant tones that never overpower the dialogue. Sound design is a standout—the hum of the engine, the electronic beeps, the mechanical clicks—everything feels sharp and intentional.
Comparisons are inevitable. Fans of Phone Booth or Buried will feel right at home, but Locked has its own personality. It’s darker, more psychological, and less about external threats and more about what’s happening inside a man’s head when he’s forced to face himself.
There are a few stumbles, sure. Some parts of the story feel a bit thin thematically—it flirts with social commentary but doesn’t fully commit. And if you’re not into minimalist, single-location setups, you might get twitchy waiting for something “bigger” to happen. But that’s the point: the bigness is inside the character’s breakdown.
Bottom line? Locked is a tight, smart, and satisfyingly tense thriller with two powerhouse performances. It doesn’t need car chases or explosions to keep you glued. It just needs a man, a car, and the terrifying realisation that escape isn’t always an option.
If you’re into psychological thrillers that pack a punch and leave you feeling like you’ve been through something—this one’s absolutely worth your time. Just don’t watch it before getting into your own car.