'Lurid' Netflix mystery thriller Locked In wows viewers but leaves critics cold

02 November 2023 , 15:07

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Netflix's latest in a long line of mystery thrillers, Locked In, premiered this week - and viewers are united in singing its praises, even if critics felt a little left out in the cold.

The new movie, which stars Famke Janssen, Rose Williams, Anna Friel and Finn Cole, has been described as 'lurid' and a largely forgettable gothic mystery that's 'all tease and no pay off' by one critic. But viewers really enjoyed it, with one saying it kept them on the edge of their seat while another praised the 'great performances and cinematography'.

The film follows former actor Katherine, who suffers from locked-in syndrome after being hit by a car, leaving her nurse Nicky to piece together what happened to her. The official Netflix synopsis reads: "Her eyes are the only thing she's able to move. Through her nurse, Nicky, we find out what's led to Katherine's hospitalisation. Katherine, communicating with her via letter board, blinks when Nicky reads the correct letter: She claims there's been a murder.

"Through flashbacks, we see snapshots of Katherine's life just after she adopts her late best friend's daughter, Lina. Lina idolises Katherine and quickly becomes close with her chronically ill son, Jamie. Later, Lina and Jamie get married — much to Katherine's dismay, as Jamie is the heir to his late father's manor, where they all live. As Lina and Katherine's relationship deteriorates, Lina bonds with Jamie’s doctor, Robert, and tragedies befall Katherine's family."

Who stars in it?

X-Men star Famke Janssen plays Katherine, while historical drama Sanditon's Rose Williams plays Katherine's adoptive daughter, Lina. Making up the rest of the cast are Peaky Blinders actor Finn Cole as Katherine's stepson Jamie, Marcella's Anna Friel as nurse Nicky Mackenzie and Violent Night's Alex Hassell as Dr Robert Lawrence.

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Viewers loved it

Taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, viewers were full of praise for the movie.

Shannon G posted: "I just finished #LockedInNetflix! It was just the kind of psychological thriller my family always used to love. It kept me on the edge of my seat! #RoseWilliams is wonderful in this movie. Congratulations to Rose! We always knew your future looked bright!"

SandiTony said: "I think the story itself could have been told better, but I don’t regret watching it. And Rose has great range and looks amazing."

Hoodie622: "Wow! The ending was really harrowing! @rose_williams_you were amazing, as was the entire cast! The music was great. The colouring on the film was very in line with the genre. It kept me guessing. Congratulations!"

Elanor: "I really enjoyed that, great performances and cinematography. Well worth watching."

Eattheworldwitheve: "WOW! Really well done film. Great acting by the fabulous @rose_williams_ #FamkeJanssen and @annafriel Masterfully directed by #NourWazzi! Musical score was superb. Definitely worth the watch! Congratulations to all! #LockedInNetflix"

Critics less keen

Josh at the Movies awarded it 3/5 stars, saying: "In what can only be described as (American novelist) V.C. Andrews meets (porn film channel) Skinemax, Netflix’s Locked In brings sleazy entertainment value to the forefront for this throwback erotic thriller. With familiarity in either of these fields, Locked In checks off nearly every box. Inexplicable, randomly-placed gratuitous sex scenes, a heavy dose of incest, femme fatales, and a side of murder for good measure—it’s all here, and going direct-to-streaming may only add to the appeal."

Heaven of Horror were less impressed, giving it 2/5, saying: "The story is intriguing, but the pace is too slow. The title has quite a dual meaning, as you’ll see. Watch it for Anna Friel and Famke Janssen."

The Guardian's Benjamin Lee gave also gave it a 2/5 rating, saying: "A lurid Netflix thriller that isn’t quite lurid enough. A forgettable gothic mystery that could have flown its freak flag a little higher."

Common Sense Media were a little more charitable, saying "The setup feels promising, and the sets are atmospheric, but something about this twisty thriller loses its way before the final reveal. There are elements of gothic fairytale, psychological horror, and illicit revenge thriller, but Locked In ultimately feels like it could have had its tone a little better locked down."