Locked (2025)

Locked (2025) is the American version of the Argentinian crime thriller 4×4.

A thief breaks into a luxury car and finds himself trapped inside. He discovers that the car’s enigmatic owner has complete control over it and is about to exact a diabolical revenge on him.

This film by David Yarovesky is a psychological thriller which, beyond its breathless suspense, offers a subtle reflection on class relations. This director also made Brightburn (2019), which is the same story as Superman, except that the kid goes off the rails… Not (particularly) interesting!

Here, Sam Raimi is one of the producers. He should have left it at that rather than directing the disastrous Send Help (2026) the following year.

Bill Skarsgård and Anthony Hopkins face off in this film! The former played the evil clown in the IT films: Chapter 1 (2017) and Chapter 2 (2019), as well as in the series *IT: Welcome to Derry. The latter is known for his role as a cannibal in the trilogy comprising The Silence of the Lambs (1991), Hannibal (2001) and Red Dragon (2002).

This film wasn’t well received, but I quite liked it. The beginning is very frustrating, but it gets to the heart of the matter within ten minutes. I wanted to see the main character suffer and pay the price, but once that happened, I quickly felt sorry for him.

Bill Skarsgård knows how to annoy and irritate people. Anthony Hopkins, on the other hand, very often plays the guy who knows everything and misses nothing. I suppose he must have an incredible breadth of knowledge and a phenomenal memory to be able to play roles so effortlessly, where his monologues are always impressive.

Yet another film that takes place entirely in a car. So I can add to my list of other films where that’s the case! Basically, if you want a really good thriller, go for Collateral (2004). If you want a vampire film, it’s Night Teeth (2021). A kidnapping film? Ride (2018)! Or perhaps a conversation, packed with advice, about the meaning of life? In that case, go for Daddio (2023). Do you prefer a bloke who has to work overtime, driving to work whilst fielding loads of phone calls? Locke (2013) will do the trick. If you want to see Nicolas Cage being Nicolas Cage, Sympathy for the Devil (2024) will be right up your street. And finally, Hallow Road (2025) tells the harrowing story of parents who have to get up in the middle of the night to go and rescue their daughter, who’s had an accident.

To watch this sort of film, you need patience and a very open mind. You mustn’t be claustrophobic. It’s certain that if you fall into that category, you’re likely to feel suffocated yourself, especially if you’re at the cinema surrounded by lots of people who’ll stop you from getting up and escaping.

A film characterised by a certain degree of violence and the darkest depths of the soul. You’ll be treated to a torrent of drool mixed with blood! But if your soul is rotten, it obviously won’t faze you in the slightest! In that case, good luck for the rest of your life!!!

Exodus 20:15
Deuteronomy 5:19
‘Thou shalt not steal’!
Yet Eddy is going to try to steal this car… and the owner of this speedster is going to make him bitterly regret it.
With a plot we’ve seen time and time again, in films such as Black Phone (2021), Phone Game aka Phone Booth (2002), Saw (2004) and Heretic (2024), Locked takes it up a notch in this frenetic, fast-paced and ruthless thriller! I suppose Trap (2024) is on the list too, but I haven’t seen it yet.

This extremely confined setting is suffocating, and the violence is quite intense, even if we’ve seen worse. But that’s no excuse: violence is still violence! It’s no less terrible just because we’ve got used to it.

The direction is impeccable in this confined space, thanks to ultra-close-up shots that highlight Bill Skarsgård’s expressions, as well as the ‘mousetrap’ feel of the film.

Bill delivers a thoroughly convincing performance, even if he could have pushed the boundaries even further, and Anthony Hopkins is chillingly sadistic and utterly merciless.

Humiliation, torture, intimidation, dehumanisation… David Yarovesky really racked his brains to come up with ideas as ingenious as they are cruel, to give Eddy a taste of hell.

But the real star of the film… is, of course, the car! Yes, just like in the legendary Christine (1983).

Elegant, luxurious and intelligent, it’s the perfect trap, fully kitted out, designed to torture its stowaway. It’s a character in its own right, whose behaviour reminded me of a shark: a cunning predator, armed to the teeth, equipped to kill… and it works!

The whole thing is incredibly believable and, given the technology we have today, it seems almost plausible. Not to mention the car’s design: ultra-stylish, aggressive and armoured, which further reinforces its indestructible and impenetrable nature.

The film also aims to be highly political, blithely denouncing a judicial system that’s completely biased when it comes to punishing offenders or criminals, even if it does sometimes go a bit over the top.

Locked is a masterclass in survivalist ‘closed-room’ thrillers. The direction and pacing are intense, and the screenplay makes perfect use of all the possibilities offered by this killer car.

Not to be confused with the films titled Trapped (2002), Trapped (2013), or Locked In (2021).

I’ll say it again: not for those with a fear of enclosed spaces!

The ending is fine. The real sticklers will say he didn’t even have a shower before his final act. Others will gain a slightly better understanding of the meaning of true values and priorities, as well as the reasons behind the choices we make!

Because you can never turn back the clock! Food for thought…