Unit 234

Director Andy Tennant makes a surprising return to the thriller genre with Unit 234, a taut, single-location survival story that thrives on tension, atmosphere, and a refreshingly lean runtime. Set almost entirely in a remote, family-run storage facility, the film follows Laurie Saltair as she stumbles upon a brutal mystery: an unconscious man chained to a gurney inside a locked storage unit. What starts as an eerie discovery quickly spirals.

Watching Unit 234 was a nerve-jangling experience. From the moment Laurie discovers Clayton, I found myself fully locked in, the atmosphere so oppressive that even small sounds or sudden shadows had me flinching. It's not quite horror, but it cultivates a creeping dread that kept me on edge. Tennant doesn't rely on jump scares-instead, the tension simmers steadily, building toward violent, well-executed confrontations that genuinely had me gripping my seat. The sense of isolation and danger is palpable, and Laurie's vulnerability makes every decision feel like a tightrope walk between survival and doom.

Jack Huston delivers a compelling performance as the mysterious Clayton, navigating the fine line between victim and potential threat. His chemistry with the lead actress is understated yet effective, adding emotional weight to the film's quieter moments. Don Johnson, playing against type, shines as the menacing leader of the gang. His presence is both chilling and charismatic, and his scenes crackle with danger. The film benefits greatly from this solid cast, who elevate what could have been a formulaic thriller into something far more engaging.

Though it occasionally stumbles into familiar genre tropes, Unit 234 succeeds through its relentless pacing, smart casting, and effective use of space. It's a stripped-down thriller with a strong sense of place and character, and a worthy entry into the "single-setting survival" subgenre. Tennant proves he still has the chops to surprise, and with Huston and Johnson anchoring the film's drama and menace, Unit 234 holds the viewer hostage in the best way. If you're looking for a tight, edge-of-your-seat experience that makes the most of its confined setting, this film delivers.

I'll watch Isabelle Fuhrman in anything, but this was a disappointment. A mediocre thriller with a plot that's never surprising given the conventions of the genre, and is helped along by implausible events to a climax that had me laughing out loud. The dialogue is obvious, the directing is uninspired, and the acting is actually pretty good.

Fuhrman can't miss, but this movie belongs to Don Johnson, in a subtle role as an ambiguous baddie. Some of the thugs are pretty good too. The boyfriend character is completely unnecessary and his key scene is not even on screen. Overall a not terrible dumb movie with some good performances.

Unit 234, available on Prime Video as The Lock-up, delivers a contained and often tense thriller experience. 6.5/10

The film centers on Laurie (Isabelle Fuhrman), a lone employee at a remote storage facility who discovers an unconscious man and soon fights for survival against a ruthless gang. The premise is immediately engaging, setting up a high-stakes cat-and-mouse game within a confined space.

Isabelle Fuhrman, known for Orphan and The Hunger Games, carries the film with a believable and committed performance as Laurie. She effectively portrays the character's increasing desperation and resilience, making her a protagonist you can genuinely root for. Don Johnson also features as Jules, the menacing gang leader, bringing a seasoned villainous presence.

The direction, by Andy Tennant, largely succeeds in building a claustrophobic atmosphere and maintaining dread throughout the first half. (It is very different from his earlier work like Hitch and Sweet Home Alabama.)

However, the film ultimately falls into predictable genre traps. The action, though present, doesn't always feel impactful or creatively staged, occasionally devolving into generic confrontations. Despite efforts to provide twists, the overall narrative arc feels somewhat familiar, preventing it from truly standing out.

The Lock-up is a solid watch for fans of contained thrillers, offering a tense ride, but it doesn't quite break new ground.

Rating: 6.5/10.

Unit 234 (2025) is an action thriller movie that I heard and wasn't planning on watching until I found myself being bored and just gave it a watch for the hell of it and it was awful.

Positives for Unit 234 (2025): The best thing about this movie is that it's short at only 86 minutes long.

Negatives for Unit 234 (2025): This movie is a bottom of the barrel action thriller movie with nothing to entertain you. The cast is basically sleepless through theit performances especially Isabelle Fuhrman and are only here to collect a paycheck. The action sequences are really boring. The movie drags its plot for no reason. And finally, the ending was really stupid.

Overall, Unit 234 (2025) is one of the worst movies of 2025 so far and I recommend everyone to skip this movie.

Unit 234 delivers a solid mix of suspense and character-driven storytelling, but what really stood out was Isabelle's performance. For once, we see her playing a normal, sane character - which was quite strange in itself given her usual roles. That said, she absolutely pulled it off. Her portrayal feels genuine, grounded, and likeable, adding a layer of realism that made the whole film more engaging.

The plot moves at a steady pace, keeping you interested without relying on over-the-top action or cheap thrills. And just when you think you've figured it all out, a nice twist hits at the end - one I genuinely didn't see coming.

Overall, Unit 234 is worth a watch. It's refreshing, well-acted, and has just enough mystery to keep you hooked until the credits roll.