Trunk: Locked In (2023) User Reviews

I wasn't trunk enough

[xnicofingerx · 5/10 · 3 February 2024]

Not a long film, but one that feels like it lasts forever. Logically, difficult terrain: cramped scenario, minimal setting, essentially one-person acting. Only in terms of realism does the script reach into all possible realms to fill the time.

Malina: not a character you warm to, but nothing to criticise in terms of acting.

The driver: an unrealistic, self-important weirdo. No, not a psychopath, a weirdo!

Probably more a film for the cinema, not because of the big screen, but because any distraction at home is probably welcome, and therefore deadly in terms of attention.

After all, it's a German genre film, naturally for this reason without the involvement of German compulsory levies. Nevertheless, neither the setting in general nor the realisation here in particular is my playground.

No Bad...

[seandun1111 · 5/10 · 26 January 2024]

I'm not going to say I was stuck on the edge of my seat in anyway during the movie... to be honest I watched to the end to find out why she was in the truck more than anything else... the were moments where I thought the action was coming but I'd say it was gripping in a why to find out how it would end and as I said trying to figure out why she was stuck in the trunk... the acting was good there are a few twists and turns but I would never give this film anywhere near a 10... I'm not going to call it a horror either so don't be to worried if you don't like horrors it's not in anyway scary so give it a go..

German Schocker with Sina MARTENS and Artjom GILZ

[ZeddaZogenau · 6/10 · 3 March 2024]

Medical student Malina (Sina MARTENS) finds herself trapped in the trunk of a car. She and her boyfriend (Artyom GILZ), with whom she was traveling around the world, were overwhelmed at a rest stop. Malina can make herself noticed with a cell phone, but that only helps to a limited extent. Finally, there are still some unpleasant surprises waiting for the young woman...

The AMAZON MGM STUDIOS made a remarkable German shocker by Wuppertal director Marc SCHIESSER possible. The German actress Sina MARTENS, who was just seen in the Berlinale competition entry IN LIEBE, EURE HILDE / IN LOVE, YOUR HILDE by Andreas DRESEN, delivers a magnificent performance in a very small space. Artjom GILZ, who has been known since the series MILK AND HONEY on the German private television channel VOX in 2018, plays her smart friend Enno. Luise HELM, Scarlett JOHANSSON's voice actress, can be heard as the voice of policewoman Elisa.

The story is a bit reminiscent of the Spanish shocker BURIED (2010) with Ryan REYNOLDS, but is independent enough not to be boring. The camera work, the wealth of ideas and the great motorway scenes from the Ruhr area, where the German hit series ALARM FÜR COBRA 11 is filmed, are particularly convincing.

Good genre films can also be made in German-speaking countries. Financially, however, you need the funds of the global streaming giants.

It's also very nice that a popular classic like ICH BIN WIE DU / I AM LIKE YOU by the German pop singer Marianne ROSENBERG is given a completely new honor.

Recommended!

Probably not worth your time

[IMDbKeepsDeletingMyReviews · 3/10 · 27 January 2024]

I'll start with the good things:

Between all the pointless shots, there are some that are really well done. The lighting is solid, the colour palette pleasing, things are in focus.

Some of the acting is alright. The premise is nowhere near original, but completely from the perspective of the kidnapped victim, which is fine. Some of the ideas are actually not that bad.

Now for the things that make this film pretty bad:

The writing is horrible. Horrible dialogue, horrible plot holes, horrible pacing. And, fitting for so many modern productions, horribly unlikeable characters. The protagonist's monologues are so cringeworthy and bad, it's astounding. Her interaction with the badly written police woman on the phone is so dumb that it hurts.

She has phone calls on speakerphone and yells and cries (and is generally insufferable), but the driver doesn't hear anything. She bangs and clanks around, but the driver doesn't hear anything.

Apparently, the filmmakers also don't seem to know how a smartphone works, and the way the protagonist uses it makes you wonder if people that dumb actually exist. This wouldn't even be acceptable if the phone wouldn't be so important for the plot, but it's absolutely crucial. It's infuriating.

Whoever read this script and greenlit it should lose their job.

Emmmmm stoopid!

[haroot_azarian · 31 January 2024]

This had all the elements and potential to be a good thriller, but it failed abysmally especially towards the end. It was a little bit similar to Halle Berry's 2012 movie the Caller in some ways.

The concept was pretty good in parts but it got pretty confusing. So she is a doctor and we find out that she made a mistake with a patient and the patient died of kidney failure. And her dad paid off the kid's parents (the Gabriels) so they would not sue his daughter Malina, the main protagonist.

What I do not understand is why and who took Malina's kidney? Apparently the Gabriels had nothing to do with her kidnapping so we can rule them out. And the story got lamer when it is revealed that her boyfriend Enno was involved in the kidnapping plot and apparently he showed no remorse or even inclination to help free Malina even after she begged him and told him she could get more money from her dad and she loved him. He only had a change of heart when Malina sent her sister Mona's ultrasound to him and told him she was pregnant. Only then did he do something but alas the kidnapper killed him and dumped him in the trunk beside Malina.

The melodrama in the trunk with Malina and Enno's corpse did not impress me one bit. Oh and on a final note what the hell was that stupid 1970s style pop song with the end credits?

[6.7] The pain and determination of being alive

[cjonesas · 7/10 · 28 January 2024]

A fine film (presumably low budget), tightly made with shininess and palpable tension. The acting is very good, especially and I mean Sina Martens', the visual effects so well made that you are in the trunk with her, suffering with her and basically doing everything with her.

Of course, in any movie, drama, thriller, even romance, those are not logic-proof and most have poor logic, convenient situations, unbelievable and not-credible ones, but that doesn't void the tight screenplay and situations that we are offered and faced with.

I can assure you, if this one was made you know where, not as a foreign movie, we would have been overloaded with cheesiness and lots of baby teen soundtrack.

Would have loved to see Malina and her caller officer, face to face and eye to eye by the end.

• Screenplay/storyline/plots: 5.5
• Development: 7
• Realism: 6.5
• Entertainment: 7.5
• Acting: 7.5
• Filming/photography/cinematography: 7.5
• VFX: 8.5
• Music/score/sound: 7.5
• Depth: 6
• Logic: 3.5
• Flow: 7.5
• Drama/thriller: 6.5
• Ending: 6.

The road to nowhere.

[bombersflyup · 2/10 · 27 January 2024]

In Trunk: Locked In, Malina wakes up disoriented in the trunk of a speeding car and discovers to her horror that she is missing more than her memory. With her mobile phone as the only link to the outside world, she wages a desperate battle for survival.

A German film, kinda like "Buried" with Ryan Reynolds as we are put in this tight space with a phone at hand and emergency services to speak to, but unfortunately this film's bad. Our protagonist has annoying monologues and continuously cuts off the help being provided, as well as talking loudly and yelling that the driver would hear, but never even acknowledges the presence of a phone. With no beginning and no end, I can't say I enjoyed the ride.

Boring event that takes place in one place

[olcayozfirat · 6/10 · 20 February 2024]

A thriller film set in a single location, produced in 2023. It wouldn't be a lie if I said it was a movie full of scenes where everything was predictable and extremely illogical actions took place.

A woman has paralyzed legs and is in the trunk of a car. Throughout the movie, he tries to find out why he was kidnapped in the trunk and to escape.

Since the lead actor does not seem sincere at all, the film's binding remains low. I'm sure it was thought that we should make a movie that only takes place in the trunk, and the script was built on it. But since the foundations of the scenario were not solid, it had to explode everywhere.

The woman closed the surgical stitch with her shoelace in the car.

He broke the taillight, but no one could see him.

They stopped the car with no lights on at customs and said "get the mirror repaired".

The kidnapper made the mother of traffic cry, but no one could catch him.

The police force was the most incompetent team in the world.

Also, how long do people stay underwater in these movies? Is this pure? So should we trust that if something happens to us, we can stop for 5 minutes anyway?

There is no sexuality or nudity in the movie.

Horrible writing, unrelieable

[angelo-bischoff · 2/10 · 27 January 2024]

You find yourself in a trunk, kidnapped. You've got a mobile phone with you, because you've been kidnapped oviously by the worst kidnappers of this world. Who would you call?

First: your sister. To have endless discussions if this was all fake to get attention. Second call: your dad. To have another endless discussion about irrelevant things.

Almost nothing in the whole script seems to be relieable.

The setting is nice, dark and depressing. Could have been a good movie but the bad script destroyed everything. Bad writing, but not bad enough to be funny. And a very mediocre plot twist that was way too obvious.

A fun ride

[saralieb-20510 · 9/10 · 28 January 2024]

A small and exquisite thriller from Germany for those who want to elevate their heartbeat for 90 minutes without engaging in sports. A woman wakes up in a trunk and tries to figure out how she got there and - more importantly - how to get out. As simple as the premise may be the execution is sophisticated. What happens in terms of direction within these few square meters is more interesting than in most German cinema productions. It's evident that a lot of thought has gone into every movement of the actress and the camera to make the minimal setting maximally suspenseful. The film, of course, relies heavily on the lead actress who is continuously on screen, often in super close-ups, and is mentally and physically challenged. And Sina Martens delivers! She ensures that you are emotionally connected to Malina throughout, rooting for her. The plot works and provides some twists and turns (which one might foresee), but it is not the main argument for the film. Here it's all about the experience, the claustrophobia, the haptic (there are a few nasty moments). Overall, Trunk is an extremely lean and, due to its breathlessness, very entertaining thriller that makes the most out of its idea.

Moronic

[dfierema · 2/10 · 9 February 2024]

Worst movie I have seen in years. Unbelievable from the first to the last minute. Every character in this movie is a moron: the father, the boyfriend, the kidnapper, the police-lady and certainly the victim.

I doubt the writer of this garbage ever checked his script with someone else. Why make every character, including your heroine, so incredibly annoying? After 30 minutes, you're starting to root for the kidnapper to put his victim out of her misery. Really.

So, the victim has a smartphone but is unable to direct the police to her position? Has this writer ever heard of Google Maps or Waze? You can bloody hell track your position within meters.

Do yourself a favour and don't watch this drivel.

Too claustrophobic for my taste!

[Guanche48 · 3/10 · 26 February 2024]

I started watching it with some expectations, yes, with this movie I had an expectation, and it is to see more of the outside, more about her life and about her past... But no, the whole movie is inside the trunk, it is not my cup of tea!. It was really unbearable for me and I am impressed by the high rating.

The lead actress Sina Martens does a great job! 3 stars for that. And it has some realism to a certain extent, because what a family this woman has, terrible, very, very disbelieving.

And the police? You can't trace a mobile phone? Quite strange. It would have been more exciting with some action, without a doubt, and not a psychological journey about a woman's private problems.

This movie hit a nerve but in a very bad way, I don't recommend it at all, slow and boring, which makes it seem much longer than it is.

Solid and Different Take on a Premise

[Reviews_of_the_Dead · 8/10 · 5 January 2024]

This was the first film to check off Day 3 at Nightmares Film Festival. We got to see this for its United States premiere. Knowing that, I glanced to see that this is a German film. The bit of information that was provided during the introduction had me curious to see how they would use it to tell this story.

For this, we are following Malina (Sina Martens). She is inside of a trunk. It starts when the driver is stopped. I don't believe we get her captor's name, but he is creepy. Malina has her cellphone. She uses it to send messages to sister, father and her boyfriend, Enno (Artjom Gilz). She is also able to get through to the police and works with Elisa Kühne (Luise Helm). She has limited information, but Malina won't give up. It is a fight for survival that goes to places she never expected.

When they said that this takes place mostly in a trunk. This reminded me of The Call with Halle Berry and Abigail Breslin. Instead of seeing this from the side of the 911 operator, we solely with Malina. I need to pull in cinematography here as it is magic. They can capture that claustrophobic feel of being locked inside like she is, but also create enough room to see her do different things. It is one of those movies where one piece of information leads to the next. We know that Malina has a medical degree. She doesn't panic when she can't feel her legs and can also patch herself up as she has injuries.

Now it does feel a bit convenient that she has her cellphone. I would think that everyone would check for that first. I will give a bit of leeway here as it does seem like it was a rush to get her into the trunk before anyone sees. She is also supposed to be knocked out and it is a lucky thing that Malina woke up when she did. These were things that I thought about when watching this.

I'll also say that the rest of the filmmaking was good. There is CGI here, but I'm not sure how else you would do these things. The acting around Martens was good. She carries this and for good reason. Gilz, Helm, Charles Rettinghaus and Janina Sachau also deserve credit. I would bet that this was also made during pandemic with how small a cast we have, but that doesn't hinder this in the slightest. I rather enjoyed this and it is one of my favorites from the film festival. It raised my anxiety and the tension with how believable something like this happening. How she discovers and relays information was believable as well. Something I didn't bring up was the limited battery that she has and that is rapidly being used.

I'd recommend giving this a watch if you come across it. I will say that this was subtitled. There is a bit of English used, but it is mostly in German from what I remember.

My Rating: 8 out of 10.

Unexpected good!!!

[dimi_tris85 · 10/10 · 27 January 2024]

When I saw it I was exiting with the theme of the movie!

Then I start watching the movie and it did not disappoint me.... German film and what a thriller!!! Well done! Sure there things like, oh come on why why why did you do that but does it matter. It's just a movie!!! I would say a really good start for 2024!!!

The end is this that I wanted and that's what makes the film cool!!!

Then I start watching the movie and it did not disappoint me.... German film and what a thriller!!! Well done! Sure there things like, oh come on why why why did you do that but does it matter. It's just a movie!!! I would say a really good start for 2024!!!

Consistently nerve-wracking film that you won't think is from Germany

[Shawn_Bu · 9/10 · 29 January 2024]

"Trunk" is a rare true genre film from Germany. A thriller that absolutely captivated me from the first minute to the last. Really everything in this film was on point! The main actress captivated me incredibly. Her acting great! The script was written smart, exciting and emotionally.

The camera work in this small setting of a trunk completely blew me away. You would think there are only few options for creating different shots and angles in this setting. But the filmmakers came up with a visual mastery where no shot seems like the same! Creative and great atmosphere. Magnificent lighting. Sometimes I asked myself: How did they do that?

The sound and music are also absolutely great. All in all, the result is a super well-rounded, ultra-exciting, consistently nerve-wracking film that you won't think is from Germany

The rest of the cast also does a damn good job, especially considering the setting of the film. Very good directing work by Marc Schießer. And also great work from the entire film team!

Great recommendation for thriller friends!

Trapped in suspense: A claustrophobic masterpiece!

[arriflexxx · 8/10 · 28 January 2024]

'Trunk,' a German thriller, kicks off 2024 with a riveting narrative that grips you from the start. The film's simple yet effective premise follows Malina, who wakes up in a trunk, struggling to escape and recall how she got there. Despite its minimalistic setting, the movie excels in creating a tense, claustrophobic atmosphere, thanks in large part to Sina Martens' compelling performance. She brings Malina's plight to life with such authenticity that you feel trapped alongside her.

The direction and cinematography is impressively executed, making the most of the confined space to build suspense.

'Trunk' had some typical genre flaws, but I'd say it stands out for its avoidance of clichés and maintains a raw edge, setting it apart from many mainstream thrillers.

Overall, 'Trunk' is a testament to the power of a well-crafted, simple idea, and Sina Martens' performance is a highlight. It's a thrilling, engaging experience that showcases the strength of German cinema.

Highlight so far in 2024!!!

[Yung_Ngo · 10/10 · 26 January 2024]

I clicked on the suspensful and catchy thumbnail without knowing anything apart from the title. Honestly was not expecting very much from a german movie but boy this one delivered!!! The production company "OTC - Outside the Club" totally delivered! Enjoyed Trunk a lot. Suspense was killing me the whole time! The lead actress Sina Martens gives an award winning performance and the director Marc Schießer has so many brilliant directorial ideas, that I wonder why he isn't better known yet...goddamn fantastic work! Was well invested in this hell of a ride from the very first minute! 90 minutes well spent. Highlight so far in 2024! Grab a beer and enjoy 🚗🚗🚗

What a ride!

[dajolens-00124 · 10/10 · 21 November 2023]

Despite its limited setting and the rapid succession of twists and turns, this is a movie that gets better and better and manages to surprise right to the breathtaking finale.

Are there stereotypical elements in use? Yes, for sure, no wonder with this kind of genre. Yet, there are remarkable ideas, especially visual ones, that make this work stand out.

The powerful performance by Sina Martens, the captivating score by Marcel Becker-Neu and the gritty editing by writer-director Marc Schießer are the highlights of this German genre gem.

A great movie for anyone who loves suspense and can handle claustrophobic situations.

Fine Genre from Germany

[Traumkugel · 10/10 · 28 January 2024]

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.

Finally a great german genre movie!

[docjonas · 9/10 · 31 January 2024]

"Trunk" throws you head over heals into this claustrophobic setting - somehow an irrational fear I never knew I had. I did not have any moment where I was thrown off by something unlogical or too stupid by the main character - and that says a lot for the usual German film already. Sina Martens carries a huge portion of this movie, and she portrays all these intense emotions and these seamless changes of moods brilliantly! I never doubted her fear, nor her will to survive for one second. Production design and photography-wise the crew managed to turn every inch and angle of this vehicle's trunk into a cinematic image. Light settings and visual language changes subtly and always motivated, but makes every minute seem like a different scene. I was stunned by the variety of visuals they managed to show. The overall story arch is full of surprises and intelligently written bits and pieces, I enjoyed, while rooting for Malinas survival.

All in all I find the movie to be a great example of what German filmmakers have to offer. What a thrilling ride! -literally. I am looking forward to more material from this caliber!

Unique kidnap perspective

[toonarly · 10/10 · 5 March 2024]

Amazing how they filmed this all inside a small cramped car trunk. As you are watching this, think what you could do differently to get yourself out and rescued. High suspense and stressful situations as the girl tries to figure out how to escape and get the attention of those around her or get information about what vehicle she is in to tell the authorities. She does have a cell phone with a limit on the battery. Great cinematography and lots of "action" in the sense of urgency as she attempts many different and difficult tasks to attempt at an escape or rescue. The ending is quite unique and different and was not expected. Nothing questionable, no nudity or foul language, some gore and blood but very little violence. Quite a ride and very well done. Enjoy.

Sightly above average.

[dweston-38669 · 27 February 2024]

Surely the antagonists would have heard the racket that our heroine causes in the truck of the car especially when they're sitting not two feet away in the front seats.

On quiet country roads in the middle of the night surely our heroine would of heard 'Enno' speaking to her on her phone from the front seat and her in the truck within two feet of each other.

These are two huge contrivances that the audience has to suspend disbelief in.

If the audience hasn't seen the movies it emulates; they are too numerous to list here; then they may have a better time.

It's overlong and could lose 15mins but it's well filmed adding claustrophobia and the car speeding through oncoming traffic seen via the busted rear light adds a sweaty ,tense feel.