Locked In, on Netflix, is yet another twisted psychological thriller from the streaming giant. Lebanese filmmaker Nour Wazzi directs the British film with a script from writer/director Rowan Joffe. Sold as a comeback vehicle for Famke Janssen (Jean Grey from the original X-Men series), the film follows the life of Lina (Rose Williams), a discontented newlywed, who grapples with the complexities of her relationship with Katherine, her adoptive mother and now mother-in-law. As she navigates the challenges of caring for her ailing husband, who happens to be her former stepbrother, tensions between Lina and Katherine escalate, revealing layers of unresolved family dynamics.
If you enjoyed the film and/or felt like it wasted its potential then here are 6 movies that you might wanna check out after watching Locked In on Netflix:
1. Sleeping with the Enemy (1991)
Based on the novel by Nancy Price, Sleeping with the Enemy is a psychological thriller directed by Joseph Ruben. The story revolves around a woman named Laura Burney (Julia Roberts) who, seemingly living a perfect life with her charming husband Martin (Patrick Bergin), gradually discovers that he is an abusive and controlling spouse. Fearing for her life, Laura decides to fake her own death and escape to start a new life.
Like Locked In on Netflix, Sleeping with the Enemy is one of the movies that talks about being trapped in relationships that don’t serve the purpose that they should. Laura’s decision to fake her own death can be seen as a way to seek justice for the abuse she has endured.
2. Notes on a Scandal (2006)
Starring Dame Judi Dench and Cate Blanchett, Notes on a Scandal is directed by Richard Eyre and is adapted from the novel by Zoë Heller. The story follows the complex relationship between two teachers, Barbara Covett (Judi Dench) and Sheba Hart (Cate Blanchett), at a British secondary school. Barbara, an older and lonely teacher, develops an obsession with Sheba, a younger and more glamorous art teacher. Sheba becomes entangled in a scandalous affair with a 15-year-old student, and Barbara discovers this secret.
Notes on a Scandal has many themes that feel eerily similar to Locked In, now streaming on Netflix. For once, there are multiple layers of betrayal that emerge into chaos because of an affair. Additionally, revenge becomes central when Barbara feels that Sheba has broken her trust and she needs to exert her power over her.
3. Before I Go to Sleep (2014)
One of the main reasons why Before I Go to Sleep finds a place in this list of movies similar to Locked In on Netflix is that both films are written by Rowan Joffe, and both go back and forth in time to amp up the twisted nature of their narrative. Based on the novel of the same name by S.J Watson, the story revolves around Christine Lucas (Nicole Kidman), who wakes up every day with no memory of her past due to a traumatic accident. Each day, she must reconstruct her identity and relationships through the guidance of her husband, Ben Lucas (Colin Firth), and her therapist, Dr. Nash (Mark Strong). As Christine begins to uncover the truth about her past, she realizes that she may not be able to trust those around her.
Much like Locked In, most of Before I Go to Sleep takes place with one of the central characters trying to figure out or get to the point of revealing the truth that has been dug into them. Like Katherine in Locked In, Before I Go to Sleep takes an interesting turn when Christine starts to question the ones around her.
4. Gone Girl (2014)
The first thing you’ll notice while watching Locked In on Netflix is just how familiar it feels. I mean, not that the film does anything remotely correct to feel like a David Fincher film, but you can see the similarities with Gillian Flynn’s work.
There are flashbacks, the use of a narrator that we can never truly trust, diary entries that get aggressively wrong as the film moves forward, and the same pulpy energy that an airport novel possesses. All these and more make it a perfect double bill alongside Netflix’s Locked In.
For those who are not aware, Gone Girl follows the mysterious disappearance of Amy Dunne (Rosamund Pike) on her fifth wedding anniversary. As the investigation unfolds, suspicions fall on Amy’s husband, Nick Dunne (Ben Affleck), who becomes the prime suspect. The narrative is structured in a way that alternates between Nick’s perspective in the present and Amy’s past diary entries, revealing a complex and twisted portrayal of their marriage.
5. The Gift (2015)
Joel Edgerton’s Hitchockian psychological thriller The Gift (2015) revolves around the lives of a married couple, Simon and Robyn Callum, played by Jason Bateman and Rebecca Hall, who move to Los Angeles for a fresh start. The story takes a dark turn when they encounter an old acquaintance of Simon’s, Gordo, played by Joel Edgerton. Gordo begins to shower the couple with mysterious and generous gifts, creating an uneasy atmosphere. As the plot unfolds, it becomes evident that there are unresolved issues from the past, specifically involving Simon, Gordo, and their high school days.
Much like Locked In on Netflix, The Gift is one of those thriller movies that explores the themes of revenge, betrayal, and the consequences of one’s actions. Both movies have characters grappling with guilt and shame, and while The Gift does it expertly, the murderous aspect that lingers over the narrative gives it a must-watch status.
6. Psycho Mother-in-Law (2019)
Also known as Mad Mom, the Lifetime movie is about Amber Vickers, who is overjoyed to finally embark on the journey down the aisle with her charming fiancé, Luke. After enduring several failed relationships, Amber had started to doubt her romantic prospects. However, her soon-to-be mother-in-law and steadfast confidante, Jill, views Amber as the ideal daughter she never had. All seems to be blossoming beautifully until the arrival of Sharon Vickers, Amber’s mother.
Now, there aren’t many common aspects between Psycho Mother-in-Law and Netflix’s Locked In, other than the idea that the Mother-in-Law and Daughter-in-Law are the main aspects of both films, but given that many other people have highlighted that the pulpy nature of Locked In makes it feel like a Lifetime movie with interpersonal battles and murder at its center, Pyscho Mother-in-Law feels like the right fit.
