“Locked In” (2023) – A Dark, Soapy Psychological Thriller That Fizzles
Locked In (2023), directed by Nour Wazzi and written by Rowan Joffé, is a British-French psychological thriller that starts with promise but ultimately struggles to live up to its eerie potential. The film introduces us to Katherine, a once-famous actress now paralyzed and suffering from locked-in syndrome—fully conscious but unable to speak or move. Played by Famke Janssen, Katherine lies in a hospital bed, able to communicate only by blinking. Assigned to her care is Nicky, a compassionate nurse portrayed by Anna Friel, who becomes determined to uncover what led Katherine to her current condition.
The story unfolds through a series of flashbacks, triggered by Katherine’s slow, blink-by-blink storytelling. As her memories are decoded, we’re drawn into a web of secrets, betrayals, and hidden agendas within a wealthy, dysfunctional family. Central to the drama is Lina, played by Rose Williams, a young woman who was once Katherine’s ward and later became her daughter-in-law after marrying Katherine’s son, Jamie. Their relationship is fraught with jealousy and suspicion, especially as Lina becomes romantically involved with Robert, the family doctor, played by Alex Hassell.
The film attempts to blend elements of psychological suspense, melodrama, and erotic thriller, but the execution is uneven. While the setup suggests an intense, intimate mystery, the script leans heavily on clichés and predictable character arcs. The cold matriarch, the scheming lover, and the manipulative doctor all feel like stock characters rather than fully realized individuals. Even with strong performances—especially from Williams and Janssen—the emotional depth is missing, and the tension often feels manufactured.
Visually, the film is polished. The cinematography captures the sterile, quiet intensity of the hospital setting as well as the cold elegance of the family estate. The flashbacks are fluidly interwoven, but they don’t always build suspense in a meaningful way. Instead, the timeline shifts feel more like pieces in a puzzle that never fully forms. What could have been a taut character study about trauma and control ends up as a murky tale of betrayal, complete with a few predictable twists.
As the story builds to its climax, it is revealed that Katherine had shot Robert to protect Lina, only to be hit by his car in revenge—leaving her locked inside her own body. In a final act of justice, Lina turns on Robert, drugging and stabbing him in an intense but melodramatic finale. By the time the credits roll, the pieces come together, but the emotional payoff is limited.
Released on Netflix in late 2023, Locked In aims to captivate fans of twisty thrillers and domestic suspense but doesn’t quite hit the mark. While it has all the ingredients for a slow-burn mystery—a confined setting, psychological trauma, and secrets waiting to be revealed—it never fully commits to a clear tone or direction. The result is a glossy, occasionally gripping, but ultimately forgettable thriller that lacks the tension and originality needed to truly lock in its audience.
