Locked is a lean, high‑tension thriller that lives and dies on its central performances. Director David Yarovesky and producer Sam Raimi strip everything back to its bare essentials and drop you straight into a nightmare scenario. Bill Skarsgård plays Eddie Barrish, a desperate man whose attempt to steal what he thinks is an empty SUV locks him inside instead. The vehicle becomes a prison as Anthony Hopkins, in voice only, reveals himself to be William, a terminally ill former doctor turned vigilante. From that moment on, it becomes a deadly game of wills.
Almost the entire film takes place within the narrow cabin of the SUV, and that claustrophobia is the engine that drives the tension. Skarsgård commits fully to the role, showing us Eddie’s panic, frustration and sheer terror as he struggles for escape. Every twitch of muscle and flicker of fear in his eyes pulls you deeper into his ordeal. Hopkins is heard over speakers or phone calls and he brings the same steely calm that made his performances so chilling in the past. His character’s quiet cruelty shines through in every line.
The filmmakers use close‑up shots and strategic lighting to keep the car from feeling static. Reflections on glass, shifting shadows and sudden tight shots remind you constantly that Eddie is trapped. Sound design plays a huge part too. The hiss of the climate control, the click of locks and the muffled street noise all become instruments of suspense. It is a masterclass in making a small space feel like it might swallow you whole.
There are moments when the story threatens to outstay its welcome. A few late twists feel forced and the pacing dips in the middle even though the film runs under ninety minutes. You sense at times that the premise might have been better suited to a shorter format. Still, the performances keep it from collapsing under its own tension. It never fully loses its grip on you even when the novelty of the set‑up begins to fade.
Locked works when it keeps its focus tight on these two conflicted characters. It does not pretend to be more than it is. It is a nasty little thriller with just enough emotional weight to stay with you. Without Skarsgård’s raw energy and Hopkins’s haunting presence there would be little left, but together they make this ride more than just a gimmick.
I score Locked a 7 out of 10.
