Locked

Locked (2025), the English-language remake of Argentina's 4x4, sets out with a chilling premise-a carjacker trapped inside a high-tech SUV turned psychological prison. Directed by David Yarovesky and starring Bill Skarsgård and Anthony Hopkins, the film delivers on claustrophobia and unease but falls short of leaving a lasting mark.

The plot unfolds as Eddie, a reckless thief, breaks into what he believes is just another luxury car-only to find himself ensnared in a twisted game of justice by a vigilante played briefly, but brilliantly, by Hopkins. While Skarsgård carries the majority of the film, shifting between fear and frustration, it's Hopkins' minimal screen time that lingers most-his voice alone lends gravitas the film sorely needs.

Technically, the film scores well-direction, editing, background score, and cinematography all pull their weight. But narratively, it's a slow-burner that doesn't quite ignite. The tension builds steadily, yet the climax arrives too suddenly and is followed by a rather muted epilogue, dulling the impact of the confrontation and its moral undertone.

In the end, Locked feels like a high-concept thriller that loses steam halfway. It grips, but doesn't quite throttle. A one-time watch, especially for fans of psychological tension, but not one that demands a revisit.

Rating: 3/5 A tense setup with strong performances, but the payoff doesn't quite justify the ride.

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.

I was able to catch a sneak peek of this movie and I must say it was better than I expected! The suspenseful buildup with Hopkins' character and Skarsgard's character! It was definitely intense! I didn't expect it to end that way, but glad it did! Bravo to the legend Anthony Hopkins and great job to Bill Skarsgard! The games and trickery were pretty on point! The unknowing of how they can keep the audience engaged with a man locked in a car deserves props! Hopkins will always be Hannibal Lecter to me so I was glad to see him in a role like this. Can't forget Sam Raimi either as his movies always stick to me even after I'm done watching them!

Locked tries to be an intense, claustrophobic survival thriller, but it never quite stands out in the genre. As a fan of these types of films, I appreciate when a simple, single-location premise can be turned into something tense and immersive. But Locked spends way too much time leaning on clichés without bringing anything new or truly engaging in the first half. The pacing drags, the narrative barely moves forward, and the attempts at suspense just don't land.

The second half is definitely an improvement-it picks up the intensity and has moments that actually manage to grab your attention. But even then, it never reaches a level where it feels memorable. The concept has potential, but the execution falls short, failing to dive deep into the psychological dynamics of the main character or create a truly suffocating atmosphere.

Bill Skarsgård, as always, delivers a solid performance, though this is far from his best work. He has the screen presence and charisma to carry a film almost entirely on his own, and he does a good job of selling the frustration and desperation of the situation. But the script doesn't give him much to work with, leaving his character too one-dimensional for his performance to truly shine.

One of the film's most interesting aspects is the car's design, which was adapted to function as the main setting. The way the space is utilized adds to the sense of confinement and gives the experience a layer of realism. That said, Locked could have tapped into something deeper-whether about the economy, modern society, or even humanity's relationship with technology. Instead, it settles for being a middle-of-the-road thriller, entertaining enough but lacking any real impact.

In the end, Locked is fine for a 90-minute distraction, but it's the kind of movie you'll probably forget as soon as the credits roll. It does the job, but it never pushes itself beyond just being "good enough."

A film about being trapped in a car? Ironically fitting, because watching Locked feels exactly like that-stuck, suffocating, and desperate for an escape.

Bill Skarsgård does his best with a script that insists on making him both a victim and an idiot, while Anthony Hopkins delivers lines with the air of a man who signed on for a better movie. What is he doing in this mediocrity of a film is honestly beyond me. The tension fizzles out early, leaving a predictable, boring, and frankly annoying ride to nowhere.

If you're after a claustrophobic thriller, watch Buried instead. At least that film knows how to keep you gasping for air.