Prisoners(2013)

This film I'm about to introduce to you is one of those thrillers that stays with you long after the credits roll. Directed by Denis Villeneuve and starring Hugh Jackman and Jake Gyllenhaal, the 2013 film is a dark, gritty and intense psychological thriller that dives deep into the morality of desperation and what lengths a person will go to in order to protect their loved ones. It’s a tense ride that makes you question your own beliefs about justice and vengeance. Truth is, we only get the real answers when we've been in the same shoes as whoever needed justice or vengeance.

Synopsis(no spoilers)

The movie revolves around Keller Dover (Hugh Jackman), a father whose daughter, Anna and her friend, Joy, are kidnapped on Thanksgiving. Desperate and frustrated with the slow progress of the police investigation, led by Detective Loki (Jake Gyllenhaal), Dover takes matters into his own hands. When a mentally troubled man, Alex, becomes the prime suspect but is released due to a lack of evidence, Dover kidnaps and tortures him in an attempt to find out where the girls are. As the investigation unfolds, it becomes a psychological chess match between Dover’s descent into vigilantism and Loki’s determined but methodical pursuit of the truth.

My Review and Rating

Prisoners is a masterclass in suspense, tension and atmosphere. Denis Villeneuve creates a world so bleak and cold that you can almost feel the dread creeping through the screen. The pacing is methodical, letting the tension build with each passing scene and just when you think you’ve figured things out, the plot takes another dark turn. It’s not just a whodunit, it’s a harrowing exploration of morality, revenge and of course the emotional toll of tragedy.

Hugh Jackman delivers one of the most intense performances I've seen as Keller Dover. His portrayal of a father pushed to the brink of madness is heartbreaking and terrifying at the same time. You can see the internal battle he’s fighting: the need to protect his family versus the line he’s crossing in the process. Jackman perfectly captures the desperation and rage that Keller feels, making you question whether you’d act differently in his shoes.

Jake Gyllenhaal, on the other hand, is just as captivating as Detective Loki. His portrayal of the meticulous, almost obsessive detective is the perfect counterbalance to Jackman’s raw emotional energy. Loki’s calm, controlled demeanor slowly unravels as the case grows more complex and he plays this unraveling with an understated intensity.

Now, while this film is a near-perfect thriller, it’s not without a few flaws. At 2 hours and 30 minutes, the film can feel a bit long at times. Some scenes seem to drag and you find yourself wondering if the plot is taking a detour just to prolong the tension. I also had to chuckle at Detective Loki’s name. I mean, Loki, really? Was it a subtle nod to the Norse god of mischief or just an attempt to make him sound cool? Either way, it was one of those moments where I couldn’t help but think, “Okay, we get it — he’s unpredictable.”

Another thing that can be a bit frustrating is how many red herrings the plot throws at you. There are moments when you feel like you’re being led down a never-ending rabbit hole of false leads. It works to build suspense, but there were times I felt like I needed a detective’s notepad just to keep track of all the misdirections.

But despite these minor gripes, ‘Prisoners’ is a gripping, intense and emotionally raw film that keeps you on the edge of your seat. The cinematography is stunning, with the gloomy atmosphere perfectly mirroring the dark and hopeless tone of the story. The haunting score amplifies the tension in just the right moments, making the movie even more emotionally overwhelming.

Finally, Prisoners is a dark, unsettling exploration of human nature. It’s not just about finding the missing girls; it’s about what happens when fear and rage push a person past their moral breaking point. Villeneuve’s direction, combined with powerhouse performances from Jackman and Gyllenhaal, makes this a must watch for anyone who enjoys a good psychological thriller.

That said, I leave it at a rating of 4.5/5.