Movie of the Day: Locked (2025) by David Yarovesky
- dailyentertainment95
- Apr 22
- 8 min read
Link to watch: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/locked (US), https://www.justwatch.com/au/movie/locked (Australia)
Link IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt26671996/
About movie: https://theavenue.film/movies/locked
"Locked (2025)" by David Yarovesky: A Tense Battle of Wits in a Luxury SUV
Directed by David Yarovesky and written by Michael Arlen Ross, "Locked (2025)" is a remake of the Argentinian thriller "4x4," pitting a carjacker against the cunning and vengeful owner of a high-tech luxury vehicle. The film serves as a claustrophobic battle of wills, exploring themes of entitlement and justice.
Detailed Summary
"Locked" centers on Eddie (Bill Skarsgård), a down-on-his-luck individual desperate for money to fix his van and reconnect with his daughter. In a moment of desperation, he attempts to steal from what appears to be an unlocked luxury SUV. However, he quickly finds himself trapped inside the seemingly impenetrable vehicle, which is remotely controlled by its mysterious and calculating owner, William (Anthony Hopkins). What begins as a simple robbery escalates into a terrifying psychological and physical ordeal as William, a self-proclaimed vigilante with his own sense of justice, subjects Eddie to a series of torments. The film confines the majority of the action to the interior of the SUV, creating a palpable sense of claustrophobia and tension as Eddie desperately tries to escape and understand William's motives. The narrative delves into the clash between the two men, exploring their backgrounds, their views on morality, and the consequences of their actions.
Plot Summary
A carjacker, Eddie, becomes trapped inside a sophisticated luxury SUV he attempted to rob. He is then subjected to psychological and physical torture by the vehicle's owner, William, who uses the car as a means to exact his own brand of justice and teach Eddie a brutal lesson.
Director's Vision
David Yarovesky, known for his work on "Brightburn" and "Nightbooks," expressed an interest in directing "Locked" to explore character-driven storytelling and elevated thrillers. He was drawn to the challenge of creating tension and visual interest within the confined space of a car. Yarovesky aimed to push the boundaries of cinematography within this specific genre, utilizing creative angles and camera movements to reflect the protagonist's escalating anxiety. He also focused on the performances of his lead actors, Bill Skarsgård and Anthony Hopkins, to drive the narrative and explore the human elements of the story, even amidst the horrific circumstances. Yarovesky described the film as a morality play, intending for the audience to ponder the themes of justice and societal division without being overtly political.
Themes
Entitlement and Class Divide: The film highlights the clash between individuals from different socioeconomic backgrounds and explores the concept of entitlement from varying perspectives.
Justice and Vengeance: The narrative delves into themes of vigilante justice and the morality of seeking retribution outside of the legal system.
Confinement and Claustrophobia: The literal entrapment within the car creates a strong sense of confinement, mirroring the characters' psychological states and the inescapable consequences of their actions.
Morality and Consequences: The film examines the moral choices made by the characters and the severe repercussions that follow.
Psychological Warfare: A significant theme is the mental battle between the trapped carjacker and the voice of his tormentor, highlighting manipulation and desperation.
Key Success Factors
Based on critical responses, key success factors for "Locked" include:
Strong Lead Performances: The dynamic between seasoned actor Anthony Hopkins and the versatile Bill Skarsgård is frequently cited as a major strength, elevating the material.
Effective Creation of Tension: Yarovesky's direction and the film's confined setting contribute to a palpable sense of tension and claustrophobia that keeps viewers engaged.
Intriguing Premise: The simple yet compelling concept of being trapped in a smart car by its owner provides a solid foundation for a thriller.
Creative Cinematography within Constraints: The film successfully utilizes its limited setting to create visual interest and reflect the characters' psychological states.
Summary Short
"Locked (2025)" is a thriller directed by David Yarovesky where a carjacker played by Bill Skarsgård gets trapped in a high-tech SUV and is tormented by the owner, portrayed by Anthony Hopkins, in a tense story about justice and entitlement.
Critics Reception
Critical reception for "Locked (2025)" is mixed.
Rotten Tomatoes: The film has a 65% approval rating based on 66 critic reviews, with an average rating of 5.9/10. The consensus highlights the "clever jolts" and the strong pairing of Skarsgård and Hopkins but notes that the story doesn't always know "where to park."
Metacritic: Assigned a weighted average score of 45 out of 100 based on 10 critics, indicating "mixed or average" reviews.
Scene Before: Praised the film as a "Hilarious, Torturous Thriller" with powerhouse lead performances and a fast pace despite the confined setting.
RogerEbert.com (Brian Tallerico): Found the film to be a "solid showcase for the underrated range of Bill Skarsgård" but felt the movie "has no idea what to do with him or its concept," becoming repetitive and thematically shallow.
Creepy Kingdom: Discussed the film's success in crafting tension in a confined space and praised the intense performances of the leads, noting the film's unique sound design.
NerdVeda: Focused on the film's ending and themes, noting it as a gripping thriller about vengeance, entrapment, and redemption, with a focus on the protagonist's transformation.
Atomic Geekdom: Found the direction and cinematography seamless in creating claustrophobic anxiety and praised Skarsgård's portrayal of Eddie and Hopkins's unsettling performance.
Macabre Daily: Criticized the film as being "All Brakes, No Gas," feeling it watered down the original and suffered from an amateurish script and a lack of a clear protagonist to root for, despite commending the camerawork and the actors' efforts.
Overall Summary of Critics Reception: Critics were divided on "Locked." Many praised the central performances by Skarsgård and Hopkins, the film's ability to generate tension within its limited setting, and Yarovesky's technical direction. However, a significant portion of reviews found the script lacking in depth and originality, feeling the themes were not fully explored and the narrative became repetitive or led to an unsatisfying conclusion.
Reviews
Reviews for "Locked" highlight a film that is technically well-executed within its challenging single location, with particular praise for the performances of its two leads. Critics noted the palpable tension and claustrophobia created by the direction and cinematography. However, a recurring point of criticism was the screenplay, with some reviewers feeling it didn't live up to the potential of the premise or the talent involved. The thematic exploration was also a point of contention, with some finding it shallow while others felt the morality play aspect was present.
Box Office
As of the available information, "Locked (2025)" has a reported worldwide box office gross of approximately $2.7 million. Its opening weekend in the United States grossed around $924,054 from 1,136 theaters.
Production
"Locked (2025)" is an American remake of the 2019 Argentinian film "4x4." It was produced on a relatively modest budget, described by the director as a "small indie movie." Filming took place in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The production involved creating specialized "Dolus" luxury SUV vehicles, with two built at a reported cost of $1.3 million for interior shots, hero shots, and stunt driving. David Yarovesky focused on utilizing the confined space effectively through cinematography and sound design.
Production Companies
ZQ Entertainment: (Country: Not specified in detail, involved in production)
Raimi Productions: (Country: United States) - Involved in production, with Sam Raimi as a producer.
XYZ Films: (Country: United States) - Involved in production.
GFC Films: (Country: Not specified in detail, involved in production)
Echo Lake Productions: (Country: United States) - Involved in production.
General Film Corporation: (Country: Not specified in detail, involved in production)
IPR.VC: (Country: Not specified in detail) - Involved in association with the production.
Sales Companies: north.five.six (UK)
Distribution Companies
The Avenue: (Country: United States) - Distributed the film theatrically in the United States.
MVK: (Country: Russia) - Distributed the film theatrically in Russia.
AMC+: (Country: United States) - Involved in VOD and video distribution in the United States.
Amazon Prime Video: (Country: United States - International Distribution) - Involved in VOD and streaming distribution.
Apple TV+: (Country: United States - International Distribution) - Involved in VOD and video distribution worldwide.
Release Date on Streaming
"Locked (2025)" was released on VOD and digital platforms on April 22, 2025. It is available on platforms including Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV+.
Theatrical Release
"Locked (2025)" had its industry premiere as part of the Industry Selects program at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) on September 6, 2024. It was theatrically released in the United States on March 21, 2025. It also had a theatrical release in Canada and Mexico on March 21, 2025, and in Russia in 2025.
Why to Recommend This Movie
Compelling Performances: The opportunity to see Bill Skarsgård and Anthony Hopkins in a tense, confined setting is a major draw for fans of these actors.
High-Concept Thriller: The film's intriguing premise of a carjacker trapped in a smart car offers a fresh take on the survival thriller genre.
Tension and Claustrophobia: For viewers who enjoy films that effectively build tension and create a sense of confinement, "Locked" delivers on these fronts.
Why to Watch Movie
See a Battle of Wits Unfold: The core of the film is the psychological confrontation between the two main characters, offering a compelling dynamic.
Experience a Unique Setting: The majority of the film takes place within the confines of a luxury SUV, providing a distinct and challenging backdrop.
Support Genre Filmmaking: Watching independent genre films like "Locked" supports filmmakers who are working to put new spins on established concepts.
What Movie Trend film is following
The film follows the trend of contained thrillers, which utilize a limited setting to maximize tension and focus on character interaction. It also aligns with the trend of remakes of successful international genre films, bringing stories from other countries to a wider audience with Hollywood talent.
What Big Social Trend is following
The movie touches upon the social trend of growing inequality and the divide between socioeconomic classes, exploring themes of entitlement and the consequences that can arise from societal disparities.
Final Verdict
"Locked (2025)" is a well-acted and often tense thriller that makes effective use of its confined setting. The performances by Bill Skarsgård and Anthony Hopkins are undoubtedly the film's strongest asset, elevating the material and providing compelling character dynamics. While the premise is intriguing and the film successfully builds claustrophobic tension, the screenplay and thematic depth received mixed reactions from critics. Ultimately, "Locked" is a worthwhile watch for viewers who appreciate strong performances and tense, high-concept thrillers, particularly those interested in seeing a new take on the contained environment subgenre. Its success lies more in its execution of a compelling premise and the star power of its leads than in breaking significant new ground.
Recommendations for Filmmakers
Invest in Strong Performances: Securing talented actors who can bring depth and nuance to their roles is crucial, especially in films with limited settings where character interaction is paramount.
Maximize the Potential of Your Setting: For contained thrillers, creatively utilizing the chosen location through dynamic cinematography and sound design is key to maintaining visual and atmospheric interest.
Ensure Script Depth Matches Concept: If a film's premise touches on complex social or psychological themes, the screenplay should fully explore these ideas to create a more impactful and resonant story.
Recommendations for Movie Industry
Support Contained and Concept-Driven Films: Recognize the potential for high tension and compelling storytelling in films with limited settings and invest in projects with strong concepts and well-developed scripts.
Explore Successful International Genre Films for Remake Potential: Identifying successful genre films from other countries can provide compelling source material for remakes that can resonate with global audiences, but prioritize faithful adaptation of the elements that made the original successful.
Value Strong Performances in Genre: Highlight and market films that feature talented actors in genre roles, as their participation can elevate the material and attract a wider audience.
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