Shut In (2022)

The movie was decent although unrealistic. Very poor decisions made by the mother. I really feel like the little girl Lainey was phenomenal though. Her acting was really good.

Fmovies: I was actually very impressed with DJ Caruso's cinematography and how he was able to make great use of the very small location.

About 50-60% of this film takes place in a pantry, with the rest happening in the surrounding single house, yet it never feels like Caruso uses the same camera angle twice. The perspective is constantly shifting, and it makes this location feel bigger and this story feel more eventful than they are on paper.

So, I never felt bored. The script gives Jessica just enough to do and just enough to say so that we can really understand her as a character and get to know her goals and her thought process.

But the script also tries to give her a redemption arc, and these are unfortunately the parts that came across as really cheesy to me. Whenever the film focused on this, the dialogue was very forced.

The ending also leaves something to be desired. It goes from gritty thriller to corny fairytale ending and it was kind of laughable.

Still, I'm impressed that The Daily Wire made something apolitical and competently helmed. Props to them!

A simple story very well executed. The acting is excellent and the tension is kept very well throughout. The fact it takes place in a very confined area with a limited amount of people only adds to the constant sense of foreboding and feeling that it is going to be very difficult to get away for those in peril. I loved it. It should be big box office if there were any justice as it is much better done than many mainstream thrillers. My one tiny criticism - wouldn't there have been a hammer in the orange toolbox?

Shut In fmovies. After The Daily Wire's first outing of a young woman in mortal danger finding the inner fortitude to fight back comes another story of a young woman in mortal danger finding the fortitude to fight back. I understand that their next feature will offer more of the same. I'm beginning to think The Daily Wire is a feminist outfit.

All that notwithstanding Shut In is a tense thriller on a budget with just 4 actors and a single location. The first two acts are fair enough with a genuinely iconic cinematic moment coming in the second act. After that however the third act is a bit of a let down and the ending is hmmm. Still it's well worth a watch and at a cost of $0 you can't really complain.

Worth a watch and good acting. You are routing for her the whole time. A good storyline almost believable. The lead lady is a very good actor but i cant really remmebr seeing her in anything else.

IN A NUTSHELL: The conservative news site "The Daily Wire" has now produced two feature films with more to come. They claim they are tired of Hollywood producing films with a leftist political and social agenda, so they have now gotten into the movie business! You can see my movie review of their first film called Run, Hide, Fight by clicking here.

The first one was a movie that was already made when they bought the distribution rights. This second film is different in that The Daily Wire was involved with the actual production of the movie. Just because The Daily Wire is involved doesn't mean this is a movie filled with conservative propaganda. Don't expect a cheesy Christian film. It is definitely not.

The story of this second film is about a young mother who gets locked inside her big pantry by her violent ex-boyfriend. She has to use ingenuity to protect her toddler and baby from escalating danger on the other side of the heavy pantry door while trying to figure out how to escape.

That sounds like a horror movie, right? Well, it kind of is, as well as a thriller filled with harrowing moments.

THINGS I LIKED: There are so many subtle symbols that add intriguing layers to the story. Notice symbols of apples, where blood is shown, and even the manner in which a character emerges through a structure. They all represent sacrifice, inspiration, temptation, and rebirth.

The film does a great job at creating and building tension, especially for mothers who will be watching their worst nightmare unfold and experiencing a roller-coaster ride of emotions.

The cinematography is very well done, especially considering all of the tight spaces and angles in which the camera had to work. The camera angles constantly change and keep the scenes interesting.

We're able to get inside of the mother's head as she anguishes over every decision. As the movie progresses, we see her attitude toward her children change from annoyance to fierce devotion.

I had never seen any of the actors before. They all did a great job, especially Rainey Qualley. She's believable and realistic. Her costars also give powerful performances: Jake Horowitz and Vincent Gallo.

The little girl played by Luciana Vandette is completely adorable. I'd love to see her in more films.

THINGS I DIDN'T LIKE: Some viewers will expect a clean, safe movie since it has been produced by The Daily Wire, which is a conservative site for several political podcasts, videos, and shows. The film is very dark and brutal. All of the adults in the movie have had or currently have drug addictions and serious character flaws. The movie definitely doesn't illustrate a perfect Pollyanna perspective on life.

TIPS FOR PARENTS: Bloody, brutal violence Talk and portrayal of drug use Adults and children in perilous situations Two deaths Torture Weapons Profanity Talk of a pedophile and predators

You can see my full review on Movie Review Mom YouTube channel.

THEMES:

Temptation Guilt Parenting and family Legacy Choices Security Sacrifice Second chances and rebirth.