Locked Review
Bill Skarsgård’s been trying to find the role that best suits him. While the latest iteration of The Crow gave him that chance to become a superhero, the film itself didn’t live up to the expectations many would’ve wanted. However, 2024’s Nosferatu further cemented the star’s lasting legacy as a horror movie legend, following his iconic performance as Pennywise in the recent It films. Now, Skarsgård is looking to return to the action genre with Locked, which pushes its source material in a way that’s not just more easily accessible, but also more gripping.
Locked sees thief and estranged father Eddie Barrish (Skarsgård) trying to get through life by making a living stealing. However, when Eddie comes across a luxury van, he tries to rob it only to find himself trapped inside of it. With the van controlled by a rich old man called William (Anthony Hopkins), Eddie must survive however he can at William’s whim.
The opening scene of Locked might feel ordinary for some as we find Eddie trying to pay his debt while sneakily taking a wallet. While he’s desperate, making phone calls out to old acquaintances, it’s made clear why: his daughter. Unlike the 2019 original film from Mariano Cohn, director David Yarovesky’s choice to add these personal stakes does intensify the tone slightly. While the implications of this choice isn’t initially felt, as Eddie gets more and more ruthless with his escape plans, it becomes much more impactful.
Still, David Yarovesky’s take on this film retains that faithfulness to the source material, from its narrative tone to its cinematography. Though Locked still retains that sense of urgency, there’s also this clear tension of a sinister dread to it. There’s all these close-ups on the sweat and gore, switches between the cameras in the car and the normal cameras, and montage-like moments to edge you into that tension. In a way, the camerawork pulls from both action and horror films to give the movie that Saw-like feeling to it, never letting up with William’s shenanigans.
The Saw-like inspirations in Locked are very apparent given what William does to torture Eddie. He constantly goes on long-winded rants about his questionable personal life and belittles Eddie in every way. Plus, William pretty much acts like John Kramer: continually toying with his victims in an act of vengeance for something personal that happened to him. Anthony Hopkins gives a mesmerizing performance, playing up the sinister, almost sadistic, personality of William without going full bonkers. However, don’t expect him to make a full on-screen appearance until the very end!
On the other hand, Skarsgård delivers a gripping performance as Eddie, bringing out his character’s pent-up rage and hopelessness in a vicious fashion. Whatever character Skarsgård plays, whether it be the sly Vincent from John Wick: Chapter 4 or the terrifying Orlok from Nosferatu, he’s always on point with his performance. His chemistry with Hopkins is great: even though they might not be present on-screen together, their interactions create this sardonic, masochistic mood that perfectly fits the tone.
However, Locked faces a tough road ahead when it comes to how some of the writing is brought to life. Recent action thrillers, like Novocaine, often overcame this by having realistic, yet fun dialogue that made the characters relatable. Locked tries to incorporate more of that dark humor with how Eddie and William interact with each other, but it also forces itself to be serious. This type of gravitas often makes the more harrowing moments, like William nonchalantly controlling the van with Eddie, feel somewhat awkward. There’s this thematic message of facing the consequences of your actions, but some of the dialogue and concept itself really plays it straight to form.
Bill Skarsgård and Anthony Hopkins are simply electrifying in Locked, pushing this unique and scary concept to the next level. With David Yarovesky’s direction and Michael Arlen Ross’ writing, they manage to create a high-stakes thriller that’s worth the watch. Despite some streamlined dialogue and a radical balance between comedy and terror, there are so many memorable moments that will certainly stick with you until the end. Though Locked feels like a one-and-done deal, Yarovesky has definitely proven himself as a capable director.
Rating: ★★★½
Locked releases in theaters on March 21.
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Christopher Gallardo is a freelance entertainment writer and critic. While not running The Reel Roller, Chris can be found writing reviews and breakdowns on all things films and TV. Outside of entertainment writing, he’s currently taking classes for a Bachelor’s of Science with a minor in Digital Media & Journalism. Plus, he loves Percy Jackson, animated films and shows, and Fallout! Follow Christopher on Instagram & X.
Locked Review
Locked Review