Unit 234

Not great, not terrible... i think what made this work was the good acting of the young woman lead, isabelle fuhrman, and don johnson...who had some good dramatic moments. Both seemed to hit all the right notes at all the right times... i think fuhrman might be around for a while. It was an interesting story but, me having seen lots and lots of movies and having read a lot, as well...a lot of the important points were predictable to me...still...i imagine the writer hasn't done much writing yet but this wasn't a bad start...B movie, in this case, doesn't stand for bad if you're ok with watching a good performance by Johnson and a surprising performance from Fuhrman.

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.

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.

The movie was good. It's a classic type of thriller with classic plot twists schemes. It looks kinda cheap, I mean budget of it looks kinda low. I do not demand a high budget to enjoy a movie. I like even trash movies. If it's a good story this is the most important. The story in this thriller is good, so I enjoyed it. Maybe it has some logical flaws at points, but not crucial at all. Some actors didn't act too well. Only the main actors did a good job. And at some points even a really good job. The location of the storage place was unusual enough so it felt fresh to make me curious where it all will go. So if you looking for a high budget movie then you maybe should skip it. Because it doesn't look high budget. If you OK with low budget movies, then you might really enjoy this. If you watched too much thrillers you might guess what will happen approximately. So what. Also English is not my main language.

After watching The Surfer, Freaky Tales, The Rule of Jenny Pen, and other 2025 Hollywood movies that I was looking forward to but was disappointed by, I can definitely recommend this one. It's not overwhelming, but I promise you, you're not getting bored, and with the little twist in the end, I'm sure you'll agree that it's a decent watch. I had so many expectations for The Surfer and especially The Rule of Jenny Pen, and as a movie lover, I have no words for how much they disappointed me. Unit 234 surpasses them.

It says my review is too short, and so, as mentioned in the title, I want you to know that regarding the twist in the end, again, although not overwhelming, there's still a touching element which I consider satisfying. And so for me, 1) I wasn't bored, 2) the twist, and 3) a little something to touch your heart.