I don’t know if there’s a pandemic in Nigeria currently but people are surely catching the flu. I was one of them except I wasn’t diagnosed with sore throat and runny nose but I feel a little better now. Well while I was bedridden I saw this movie “Locked In”. It’s one of those films that plays mind games and keeps you guessing right up till the last few scenes. Plus, it’s a slow-burn thriller that doesn’t scream for attention but quietly messes with your head. So, let’s talk about the plot without spoiling too much.
The story revolves around a mother and daughter(not biological), Katherine and Lina. Katherine ends up in a hospital, paralyzed and only able to communicate through blinking. The kind nurse turned detective that was assigned to care for her took it upon herself to piece together what happened and through flashbacks and intense character drama, we’re taken through a web of secrets, betrayal and a good dose of manipulation.
What’s cool or rather twisted about this film is how it plays with perception. Just when I thought I’d figured a character out, the film flips things and I’m like, “Wait, what? No, she didn’t, etc”
Lina, played by Rose Williams, gives this incredibly layered performance. She’s beautiful, I rooted for her but I also second-guessed my choice because I couldn’t believe she could get her hands dirty. Famke Janssen on the other hand, as the cold, manipulative Katherine? Perfectly unsettling. I couldn’t have asked for a better character.
What I liked most about the film is how intimate it felt. It isn’t flashy nor does it overdo; it’s more psychological than action-packed. But that’s what makes it effective. The tension is simmering, not explosive. Just think of it as peeling an onion, you get layer after layer of family dysfunction, jealousy, guilt and ultimately, survival instincts.
Now, it’s actually not without its flaws. Some parts felt a bit drawn out and the pacing dragged in the middle which almost bore me out. Anyway, if you’re into movies where you’re slowly uncovering truths alongside the characters, you should love this one as it delivers that eerie satisfaction.
Would I recommend it? Yeah. Especially if you’re in the mood for something moody and cerebral. It’s not a horror as they claim it to be. It’s also not exactly a thriller in the traditional sense, but it does crawl under your skin in a quiet, psychological way.
Rating? Well a 7.5/10 isn’t bad.
