Inside (released 3/17/23)

This movie 100% could have been an alternate universe Green Goblin origin story. Willem Defoe plays an art thief trying to steal some expensive art from a penthouse in New York City. The alarm system becomes faulty and seals him inside (roll credits). He desperately tries to find food and water in a house that for the most part was a glorified storage unit with a bed and kitchen for a weekend visit. He has to scavenge food and water, and survive a broken A/C unit that alternates blistering heat and bone-chilling cold. On top of surviving, he has to find his way out. It's a barebones story meant to showcase Willem Defoe playing a caged animal that is slowly losing his mind. There were a few gross-out scenes from his desperation for food and water. Despite being only 1 hour and 40 minutes, this movie felt double that. You are constantly at the edge of your seat for him to get out, only to slump back in your seat when it seems like a lost cause once again. The movie itself is fine, but it is an isolation movie at its core. While they are brilliant in concept, they can ultimately be boring in practice. Luckily, Willem brings his unique charm to the role which helped.

Story - 14%

Characters - 20%

Pacing - 12%

Spectacle - 16%

Entertainment - 15%

Total score: 77%

Grade scale:

90%-100% = must watch

80%-89% = solid, but could be better

70%-79% = Not terrible, watch if the characters or story interests you

60%-69% = only watch for completionist reasons

0%-59% = just skip it, I find the positives and they don't exist here