Prisoners —Tom Moore
If you’re ever looking for a film that delivers bone-chilling thrills, instant goosebumps, and a sense of genuine realism that’s downright horrifying, then look no further than Denis Villeneuve’s Prisoners. While not his first film by any mean, it was where most people were introduced Villeneuve’s vision as it’s his first English-language film. Prisoners really kicked off what would be one of the most impressive lineups of films by a director and showcased the kind of talent that would make Villeneuve such a strong name in film.
Prisoners takes on a parent’s worst nightmare, as the abduction of father’s (Hugh Jackman) young daughter makes him do unimaginably terrible things to a possible suspect (Paul Dano) while a detective (Jake Gyllenhaal) hunts high and low for answers. If you thought Hugh Jackman was scary and haunting as Wolverine, he makes that performance look like kid-stuff compared to the horrors he brings as Keller Dover. His determination as a father that has protected his family up until this point is incredibly admirable, but his actions against a possible suspect are what make him a little more complicated.
Every move he makes has you walking on eggshells and it’s a performance unlike any other in Jackman’s career. Even the incredibly vile performance from Melissa Leo and the heart-wrenching performance from Paul Dano, whose horribly swollen face after Keller beats the hell out of him will be something that viewers won’t ever forget. Not to mention, if you loved Jake Gyllenhaal’s performance in Nightcrawler, you’ll love him just as much, maybe even more here, as he carries the same kind of determination and strength as Detective Loki.
Performances aside, though, Prisoners would already earn the marks to be worthy of being a best of the decade film just on its screenplay and technical aspects alone. The screenplay from Aaron Guzikowski is just plain perfect and the dialogue makes you hang off of every word hoping to get closer to what actually happened to Keller’s daughter. Match it with Villeneuve’s direction, which immerses you into everything Keller and Loki are thinking, and you simply have a mystery that’s full of vivid detail and a realism that makes it a true white-knuckle thriller. The film also is incredibly shot, with cinematography that gives the film a shadowy and sulky look that excellently fits the tone. Great cinematography is no surprise, though, when you have a man like Roger Deakins on board and Prisoners marks another time that Deakins lost the Oscar.
Sure, Villeneuve has had plenty of other strong films within this decade like Sicario, Arrival, and Blade Runner 2049, but none are like Prisoners. From the bare knuckles thrills and performances to the overall impact it leaves on its viewers, you won’t quite find a film that rocks you to your core like Prisoners.
