Prisoners

Included in Magnus' All-Time Favourites. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Oh, boy. So, where should we start? First and foremost, are we completely sure that Denis Villeneuve didn't just spook David Fincher to give him the directorial credit for this film? I mean, seriously, are we absolutely certain? 'Cause, boy, oh boy. That was hands-down one of the best crime thrillers I have ever seen. Period. The tagline for Prisoners reads "Every Moment Matters," and it embodied that to the very brim of the movie. Every single second in this film counts—none are wasted. And I'm not just talking metaphorically here; I mean it literally. Right from the get-go, it wastes no time in drawing us into its narrative, leading us through a maze of mystery and suspense that leaves us breathless. The sense of urgency it evokes, the heart-pounding sequences—it's the kind of experience that sticks with you long after the credits roll. It's like we, the audience, are right there alongside Keller and Loki, desperate to crack the case before it's too late. Because every moment truly does matter. But beyond the pulse-pounding thrills, the film also asks us very important questions: how far will people go? How much will people wager their own sanity and their own humanity in exchange for an uncertain resolution to a seemingly unsolvable puzzle? Keller's anguish, along with that of the other parents, is a raw, gut-wrenching portrayal of the toll that loss—especially sudden loss—can take on a person. And Prisoners dealt with those human conditions and emotions perfectly. Denis Villeneuve masterfully navigated the script to highlight the facets of their emotions. He did it in such a manner that it immersed us in our very seats. It showed us the two distinct types and differences in the meanings of humanity, empathy, depression, and grief, and everything else that follows. The script and the screenplay were such a seamless work of art, so perfect that it's almost uncanny how meaningful and meaningless some of the dialogues were. Despite how much I've said already, trust me, I'm still in awe—speechless, at this very moment. Prisoners is a red-herring minefield. Yet, we're never hampered by a lack of perspective; we see things from every angle, allowing us to piece together the puzzle right alongside the characters. I've got a laundry list of red herrings I'd love to share, but let's keep the spoilers to a minimum. Suffice it to say, the payoff at the end is nothing short of mind-blowing. It was truly a magnificent, sanity-shattering experience. Last, but most certainly not least, let's not forget the powerhouse performances from Hugh Jackman, Jake Gyllenhaal, and Paul Dano. Is Jake method acting with this one? His mannerisms were spot-on. His posture, which I observed, was also heavily altered, if I'm correct. Nevertheless, even if that isn't the case, these three's mere impact on the film with their acting prowess was the make-or-break of this ensemble. With the script Villeneuve provided, I challenge anyone to convince me that they're not the perfect casting choices for these roles. Also, honorable mentions go to Terrence Howard, Viola Davis, and David Dastamalchian. Supporting acts? They supported the shit out of that movie, alright. Bravo. This is definitely the type of movie that you'll never recover from within a short while. A film you'll never be the same after watching. I'll envy everyone watching this for the first time. This was one for the books, and one I'll probably never stop talking about when someone mentions the words crime and thriller in a sentence.