Inside | Movie Review
Written by Joey Rodriguez
“Inside” is a compelling psychological thriller film that explores themes of isolation, obsession, and the imprisonment of artistry. Directed by Boaz Yakin, the film stars Willem Dafoe as Nemo, a high-end art thief who becomes trapped inside a luxury, high-tech penthouse in New York’s Times Square after his heist goes wrong. Locked inside with nothing but priceless works of art & a very limited supply of food/water, he must think outside the box to find a way to survive & escape.
The film’s premise is fascinating, and it immediately draws the audience’s attention. The film gets straight to the point and focuses on the survival aspect of the movie, which is thrilling and engaging, but it doesn’t delve deeper into the themes it introduces. It takes a few watches of this film to see all the messages that drive the main character.
Willem Dafoe is an incredible actor, and his performance in “Inside” is outstanding. He captures Nemo’s madness and obsession with art, making the character both relatable and terrifying. As the film progresses, Nemo’s prolonged isolation and unfulfilled aspirations pull him further into madness, leading him to interact with the art pieces around him. Each interaction between Nemo and the art symbolizes something about how art affects artists and their relationship with the world around them.
However, the film’s exploration of the theme of isolation and obsession lacks depth. I needed just a little bit more. While it is fascinating to see how art can consume a person’s entire life, causing them to disconnect from important things and people, the film doesn’t explore this theme fully. Similarly, the film’s exploration of the theme of chasing heaven, where passionate artists are always chasing some kind of heaviness, such as perfection, catharsis, or validation, with their art, could have been more nuanced.
That being said, “Inside” is still a great movie that is worth watching. The film’s use of art as a symbol and metaphor for Nemo’s psychological state is cleverly executed and adds depth to the film. Boaz Yakin’s direction is masterful, capturing the film’s unsettling survival aspect and claustrophobic atmosphere. The penthouse’s high-tech features and its modern design add to the film’s suspense and make the audience feel as trapped as Nemo.
In conclusion, “Inside” is a thought-provoking film that explores complex themes, but it doesn’t fully explore them like I would have liked them to. Willem Dafoe’s performance as Nemo is outstanding, and the film’s use of art as a symbol and metaphor is cleverly executed. However, the film lacks the ability to land from the high the premise brings. Regardless, it is still a great movie, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a thrilling and engaging psychological thriller. A solid 8/10 for this movie 💪
