Locked In [2022]

From Cut 2 The Chase Entertainment, who brought us, Beasts of the Field (our review HERE), Payday (our review HERE) and Marvelous Mandy (our review HERE), now comes the brand new feature-length release Locked In.

Locked In is a wicked drama/horror/thriller that draws you in and you just can’t look away. Your mind begs you, but you can’t. Written by Paul McFall and Charlie Brady and directed by Chase Dudley, Locked In plops you right into the action as we meet our villain, credited as Guy (Robert Allen Mukes), entering Lobo’s Strip Bar. Guy informs Lobo (Jeremy Abbott) that he’s looking for something which clearly is a request Lobo has already similarly delivered on in the past… and lived to regret it, as Guy threatens him with that very information. Lobo then delivers one of his working girls, whom our villain accepts, then upon meeting, chokes all the way to unconsciousness.

The story leads to a barn stall where we meet dirty, battered and bruised Madison Dean (Amber Dawn Fox), who seems to be Guy’s newest prize. He had been watching her and knew she has no family or friends so no one would notice she was gone, nor care to come looking. He divulges that the purpose for her being there is pain and pleasure, meaning his pleasure in causing her pain and torture and proceeds to warn her to play along, or else.

Horrified Madison learns she is not alone in this nightmare as Guy brings in another young woman named Melanie (Nailya Shakirova), the girl he captured at Lobo’s. He ends up chaining them together and the two strike up a bond as they learn of their different upbringing and lifestyles, which are possibly why they were chosen as this killer’s play things.

Locked In is surprisingly impressive and well shot. Co-Writer Charlie Brady pulls double-duty as cinematographer and, along with drone cinematographer William Hardin Jr.,  provides some impressive shots. Hardin Jr.’s drone work came in especially handy when used in the opening of the film and as transitional pieces Dudley uses to convey the vast, desperate plight these young women are in.

Watching the trailer first, to be honest, I was hesitant going in, and more hesitant when I started watching, yet Dudley’s directing managed to keep my eyes, well, locked in (pun intended) on the action. This was also due to the actors’ performances. Muke‘s performance as our serial killer is creepy, disturbing, and somehow, at the same time, sexy. The performances of Amber Dawn Fox and Nailya Shakirova are both excellent. Fox portrays a woman of faith and hope with great realism in a terrifying situation, while Shakirova delivers a perfect contrast that enhances their emotional bond. I found myself rooting for them. Additionally, I was delighted to see scream queen and horror legend Lynn Lowry make a cameo appearance as Rose. She holds a special place in my heart since I stumbled upon her work in George A. Romero‘s 1973 film The Crazies, while TV surfing one day and ended up watching the entire movie.

I also must mention the makeup department. Kaleigha Dudley and producer Samantha Dudley did a great job keeping the leading ladies looking just gross and dirty enough. It was a selling point for me.

While there were definitely some shortcomings, they were easy to dismiss because the story and acting were so captivating. That’s what makes a good indie horror-thriller – a good story and of course, the gore. I thought Dudley did a great job balancing the right amount of blood and gore with the drama, which I think can make or break an indie horror/thriller at times. I enjoyed this one.

My Score: 7 out of 10.

Locked In is currently availble to order on physical media via Cut 2 The Chase Entertainment’s website and can be streamed on Tubi and Amazon Prime. See Project Page for links HERE!