Locked

David Yarovesky's Locked is a remake of the 2019 Argentinian film 4x4, and while the original was a claustrophobic and tense thriller with a pointed social commentary, this American version feels like a watered-down, Hollywoodized copy. Despite having Bill Skarsgård and Anthony Hopkins, the film's attempts at a high-concept battle of wits fall flat. The witty, dark humor and social critique of the original are replaced with generic and often preachy dialogue that feels shoehorned in. Skarsgård's performance, while energetic, is wasted on a character whose motivations are stripped of their nuance, turning him from a desperate father into a one-dimensional thug. Hopkins, as the disembodied voice of a self-righteous vigilante, delivers a performance that feels like a caricature of his more memorable roles. The film's attempts to escalate the stakes feel more ridiculous than suspenseful, and the ending, in particular, lacks the satisfying punch of its source material.

Is it worth watching? No. It's a pale imitation of a much better film, with a wasted cast and a clumsy script.

I got back from the theaters a few mins ago

I thought this movie looked more like something I would watch on streaming, but since I have Regal Unlimited, I decided to go on a slow day at the office.

Long story short - the movie isn't good. You're better off waiting for streaming

The plot itself is bare-bones. Bill Skarsgard (who looks a little like Pete Davidson here) gets trapped inside a car, basically. And as a result, very little actually happens for most of the movie. What we get, instead, is about an hour and change of watching Skarsgard sit inside the car by himself, which gets dull very quickly. The movie simply doesn't have enough to maintain interest while Skarsgard is trapped. The dialogue between him and Hopkins isn't interesting: Hopkins' characters meanders on and on, and they seem to repeat themselves ("What do you want from me?" "I want you to understand" .. seriously, I feel that I heard that exchange at least 5 times). The little acts that Hopkins does to terrorize Skargard similarly become repetitive

The movie is basically a two-man show in Skarsgard and Hopkins, and neither one of them is likable. Hopkins' character is obviously too pyscho for the audience to like. And though the film tries to make Skarsgard appear likable by using his daughter as well as a scene where he randomly gives water to a dog, the basic truth remains that he's scum who steals people's money and belongings . There is no one here for the audience get behind

The movie takes a bit of a silly turn when Hopkins somehow controls the car remotely; the events that happen here become almost unintentionally funny. Some of the dialogue near the end (e.g. Dirty Harry references) become cringe

4/10.

Anthony Hopkins must be in financial trouble to have taken on this major disappointment and waste of time. Even the free version of Copilot in Bing could've come up with a better plot and far better dialog.

The characters were so under developed they'd be blank if they had been traditional camera film in a photo lab. The dialog was so undercooked it should've come with a salmonella risk warning.

The movie attempted to be twisted but was annoying. It tried to be twisty but was predictable. It wanted to be suspenseful but was boring.

The audience is the victim locked in the theater suffering through a script that should've been locked away in the depths of a paper shredder.

First and foremost I have not seen the movie that this picture is based on I cannot tell you how faithful a adaption it is or how well it compares, I can only judge it on it's own merits.

Problem is, it's awfully predictable, and I don't particularly mean just the story but the whole set up. If you told me they are casting a young troubled character, I almost envision Skarsgard. If you told me they are casting a character of an older man who wants to outsmart you in a battle of wits, I envision Anthony Hopkins. Because these are characters these two actors have portrayed in countless movies.

And for example, with Anthony Hopkins, a incredibly gifted actor, even if to a degree we have seen this performance a number of times (Fracture, Hannibal Lectar, Solace), there's no denying that he is still a treasure to watch, because he is so mesmerizing. But that magic is completely taken out of his performance when you can't actually see him and he is nothing but a voice on the end of the phone.

Some reviewers have praised this movie for its realism, we must if been watching a different movie. This is a highly implausible thriller at best. When movies are confined to small places, it really needs a interesting premise to keep the movie running, it's a difficult task because the movies options are limited. A few movies like 'Phone Booth' just about manage to pull it off because of clever twists. This movie is avoid of intelligent twists and what's left is just a generic thriller.

It has it's moments, it's a relatively short movie so pacing issues are not really a problem, it flies past. Even tho the actors have done these roles numerous times, they are still likeable enough as actors that you kind of want to see where they are going to take their characters. There's a few gory scenes added in just to keep modern audiences happy.

It's not a awful movie. It's not a good movie. It's just a payday for the actors, a one time watch. But in the weeks and months that follow, you will ultimately forget this movie was any part of Hopkins and Skarsgards resume.

My only advice for potential criminals who are reading this review is I would advise against breaking into a nice car lol. You will get locked in.

I caught the trailer and I was pretty hooked, went into this one open minded with zero expectation and it was a pleasant surprise.

Bill Skarsgård plays a really slimy character who at first I just wanted to see him suffer. But as the story progresses you start to feel for him, and start rooting for this guy.

Anthony Hopkins plays a narcissist rich man who is really sick and twisted. But you understand why he does certain things as you learn about his back story. His weapon of justice is a modified car that feels indestructible.

The suspense is great and I really liked the film's atmosphere and setting. There's never a dull moment and the pacing moves along really well. Twards the end I found Locked a little predictable but overall this is an enjoyable time at the theater. Go out and see it, at least watch it on vod when it comes out.