Trunk follows the path of single-location films like Buried or The Guilty and doesn't need to hide from these two influences. Malina, a medical student, catches the wrong hitchhiker on her way to vacation with her fiancé and wakes up alone in the trunk of his car shortly after. The film wastes no time on lengthy exposition and before the title card appears, all parameters are set: Malina is trapped, her abductor is on a mission, and the destination of the car is most likely not a good one. The fast paced narrative continues with various twists and reveals, a few chilling horror moments, consistent tension, and even occasional action beats, leaving the audience breathless by the end. The creative camera work, varied lighting, and consistently imaginative direction enhance the experience, ensuring that there is never a dull moment in the trunk. On top of that, there's the fantastic performance by Sina Martens, who battles through blood, sweat, and tears, almost single-handedly carrying the film for most of its duration - a challenge she impressively masters.
Trunk is a small, exquisite genre contribution from Germany, a rarity that deserves more attention.
Trunk is a small, exquisite genre contribution from Germany, a rarity that deserves more attention.