Locked In (2023 film)

Locked In

Company type	Film
Industry	Film industry
Founded	2023 (2023)
Founder	Nour Wazzi (director), Rowan Joffé (writer)
Products	Psychological thriller film
Website	www.netflix.com/title/81516547

Locked In is a psychological thriller film from 2023, directed by Nour Wazzi and penned by Rowan Joffé. The cast features Famke Janssen, Rose Williams, and Finn Cole. It became available for streaming on Netflix starting 1 November 2023.

Plot

Katherine, once a television star, awakens in a hospital bed suffering from locked-in syndrome, left unable to move or speak. Nurse Nicky is dedicated to assisting her recovery and seeks insights from Lina, the widow of Katherine’s late stepson Jamie. Through flashbacks, the complex family relationships prior to Katherine’s accident are unveiled.

Katherine’s affluent spouse had bequeathed his fortune to Jamie, who pursued Katherine’s approval despite her resentment over being excluded from the inheritance. Lina, whom Katherine adopted after the passing of Lina’s mother, took care of Jamie and later married him, inheriting the family estate—a source of Katherine’s deep-seated bitterness.

The family physician, Robert Lawrence, engages in an affair with Lina while scheming to claim the estate for himself. He prescribes Jamie medication that deteriorates his condition and ultimately causes his death by drowning during a boating outing with Lina. Following Jamie’s funeral, Robert urges Lina to sell the mansion; she resists upon uncovering his true intentions. Robert threatens Lina with exposure by revealing her journal, which contains dark fantasies about killing Jamie.

Lina uncovers a connection between Katherine and Robert as well. While escaping Robert’s violent behavior, Lina witnesses Katherine aiming a rifle at her. As Katherine slowly regains the ability to communicate by blinking letters, she spells out "murder," which alarms Nicky. Fearing discovery, Lina persuades Robert to bring Katherine back home.

Nicky pursues them and communicates via text messages that Katherine attempted to shield Lina from Robert. Flashbacks depict Katherine shooting out Robert’s tire as he tries to run down Lina; later, Robert runs over Katherine after she pleads for Lina’s safety.

Lina administers a fatal injection of a drug Robert had prepared for Katherine, but it proves insufficient. During the ensuing confrontation, Lina fatally stabs Robert. Police arrive to take custody of Robert’s body while Lina, Katherine, and Nicky observe; Lina asks Nicky what she will report, but Nicky remains silent. The film closes with Lina and Katherine holding hands.

Cast

• Famke Janssen as Katherine
• Rose Williams as Lina
• Alex Hassell as Doctor Robert Lawrence
• Finn Cole as Jamie
• Anna Friel as Nicky

Production

Produced by Nicky Bentham under Neon Films with Alison Jackson serving as executive producer for Gaumont, Locked In represents director Nour Wazzi’s first feature film, based on a screenplay by Rowan Joffé. Casting announcements in December 2022 confirmed leads Finn Cole, Famke Janssen, and Rose Williams, alongside Alex Hassell and Anna Friel. Principal photography took place in London during late 2022, with further scenes filmed in early 2023 at locations including St Albans and its cathedral.

Release

The film was released on Netflix on 1 November 2023.