Dark ‘masterpiece’ thriller on Netflix will ‘send shivers down your spine’ | Films | Entertainment
If you are searching for your next must-watch film, this gripping, dark thriller could be just the ticket. Prisoners, helmed by director Denis Villeneuve, is currently available to stream on Netflix — a gut-wrenching drama that will keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish.
The film centres on two men — neo-noir Inspector Loki, portrayed by Jake Gyllenhaal, and the devoutly religious survivalist Keller Dover, played by Hugh Jackman. When Keller’s daughter Anna and their neighbour’s daughter Joy vanish following a Thanksgiving dinner, Detective Loki sets out to uncover the truth.
Keller, too, launches his own desperate search — but at what point does justice tip into vengeance, and how far would any parent truly go to protect their child?
In Keller’s case, he pushes well beyond what anyone could have anticipated, and in doing so, risks losing absolutely everything.
The cinematography is quintessential Villeneuve — sweeping establishing shots, unsettling silent landscapes and languid zooms all heighten the creeping sense of dread that builds steadily across the two and a half hour runtime.
It is a slow burn, punctuated by genuinely shocking scenes that would not look out of place in a horror film rather than a thriller.
Jackman and Gyllenhaal both deliver career-defining performances — you may not warm to either character, yet their on-screen chemistry is utterly compelling.
Prisoners holds an impressive 87% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with critics hailing it as one of the finest films they have ever seen.
One viewer posted: “A masterpiece! Perfect thriller with a mind-bending story! If you haven’t seen it yet then it is now your number one priority.”
Another stated: “An absolutely brilliant performance from Hugh Jackman and a mystery that will send shivers up and down your spine. I highly recommend this movie if you’re in the mood for an uncomfortably realistic thrill.
“One of the most tense and eerie movies I’ve ever seen!”
