kingjoneva
Everyone has already given a synopsis of the movie. I would have to say that I was entertained by this movie and watched it through until the end. While not a perfect script by any imagination, it was sufficiently thrilling to hold my attention and I would recommend it.
thact
Stumbled on while cruising stations for a flick break. This one caught my curiosity off guard. Starts you off in one direction that gets you wondering where the story is leading and slowly reveals the real powers at play. Acting is above average and the suspense will keep you watching.
Argemaluco
On the one hand, Shut In (don't mix it up with the homonym film starring Naomi Watts) offers a moderately interesting psychological basis which makes it better than other "home invasion" movies; on the other hand, the screenplay relies too much on coincidences and convenient revelations, while making trap with the development of the characters when the story threatens to stop. On the positive side, the actors make a good work in their roles, highlighting Beth Riesgraf, who displays a solid balance of vulnerability and subtle threat, and Martin Starr, displaying a "serious" facet (he's better known for his humorous work, such as in the brilliant TV series Silicon Valley) with a good result. Going back to the cons, despite offering some moderately interesting aspects, I didn't find the screenplay very satisfactory; I think it needed more ingenuity, or at least, more impact. Nevertheless, I think I can give it a slight recommendation; however, it's a pity that co- screenwriters T.J. Cimfel and David White didn't dare to take things till their last consequences.
Nigel P
Beth Riesgraf is excellent as agoraphobic Anna, who has spent years looking after her dying brother Conrad. On the day of his funeral, three men forcibly enter her home, believing her to be away. They intend to rob Anna of the money she has stashed away in the house, a detail revealed to them by Dan (Rory Culkin – MaCauley's brother), who delivered food to Anna.Toying with her and her illness, Perry (Martin Starr) throws her outside the house, where she panics and almost has a seizure. Little gestures like Anna self-consciously pulling her skirt over her knees after she has involuntarily wet herself really endear her plight to us. The thugs are hateful, as is the duplicitous Dan, but it isn't until Perry casually bludgeons Anna's pet canary to death that we are really clamouring for his suffering.We are given plenty of reasons to spur Anna on to kill these low-lives. Apart from Perry and the slimy Dan, the 'leader' is convincing hard-man JP (Jack Kesy) and right hand Vance (Joshua Mikel). Bad enough they strive to rob someone who is at the funeral (they think) of the long-suffering brother they have cared for, but the powerful acting gives them an extra edge of nastiness. Their inevitable demises are, if anything, not horrible enough.The house, in which the whole thing is set, provides an effective maze-like prison for them all as they begin to realise that Anna's intimate knowledge of the place has its advantages, and the building, it seems, has secrets of its own.This is another 'home invasion' project, where the comforts of a familiar environment are turned on their head upon the arrival of uninvited 'others'. Although the format itself may be limiting, it clearly works if used well and interspersed with interesting, well-defined and finely acted characters and sinister dilemmas. Happily, this is one such film.
AD
