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Plot Summary
Keller Dover (Hugh Jackman) is facing every parent's worst nightmare. His six-year-old daughter, Anna, is missing, together with her young friend, Joy, and as minutes turn to hours, panic sets in. The only lead is a dilapidated RV that had earlier been parked on their street. Heading the investigation, Detective Loki (Jake Gyllenhaal) arrests its driver, Alex Jones (Paul Dano), but a lack of evidence forces his release. As the police pursue multiple leads and pressure mounts, knowing his child's life is at stake the frantic Dover decides he has no choice but to take matters into his own hands. But just how far will this desperate father go to protect his family? Led by Oscar® nominees Jackman and Gyllenhaal, this dramatic thriller features an all-star cast, including Oscar® nominees Viola Davis and Terrence Howard, Golden Globe Award nominee Maria Bello, Academy Award® winner Melissa Leo, and Paul Dano.
Credits
Director
Screenwriter
Rotten Tomatoes Movie Reviews
TOMATOMETER
82%- Reviews Counted: 224
- Fresh: 184
- Rotten: 40
- Average Rating: 7.3/10
Top Critics' Reviews
Fresh: In less talented hands, the story could lapse into the maudlin. But Villeneuve, director of the Oscar-nominated Incendies, seems to know just how far to go; only one moment feels less than authentic, but it would be a spoiler to mention it.
Rotten: Prisoners is weary after ten minutes, and I suppose it has persuaded itself that its length is justified by its solemn gaze into the abyss.
Fresh: Prisoners is unforgettably relentless in asking moviegoers if Keller has gone too far. And, by extension, asking us how far we would go.
Fresh: Prisoners -- sometimes awkwardly, for the most part persuasively -- does a delicate balancing act between outright nightmare and naturalism.
Customer Reviews
CG review
Expressing how much I enjoyed this film has brought me into deep thought. The actors in this film especially Hugh Jackman highlight these characters in a way that compels the audience. Although the attachment to the characters isn’t there it still flows smoothly, and besides this wasn’t really the type of film that needs that element. Hugh Jackman brings out the emotions of the father and gives one of the best performance i’ve seen him do. Jake Gyllenhaal wasn’t extraordinary, but what can you do when your playing a depressed cop that has to look for a missing child while being hassled by everyone related to the situation. He still played what he was given well enough to be a hard second favorite behind Hugh Jackman. Everyone else in this film aren’t that far behind him except maybe for Paul Dano that is really convincing as a crazed suspect. The story is unpredictable and mind-blowing to see a father go to certain extents to save his daughter. It messes with morals a little bit to where you feel bad for both side of the crime. Easy to relate to and very suspenseful. It kinda made me a little paranoid. Hugh Jackmans performance, the story, and the way it was unpredictable were all key factors that made this film great.
The film begins by showing the two families that have joined together for thanksgiving before things turn bad. After a series of events Keller Dover (Hugh Jackman) and Franklin Birch's (Terrence Howard) daughters are assumed to be kidnapped. Throughout this journey to find them, Keller take things worse than anybody. He won’t trust Detective Loki (Jake Gyllenhaal) to do his job and can’t trust the main suspect Alex Jones (Paul Dano). He decides to take matters in his own hands to find his daughter, and do whatever it takes.
Three things I absolutely loved about this film are the conflicts, the unknown, and the ending that left my heart warm with a “what the hell just happened” expression on my face. All the good reviews this film has received are not lies, this film is a solid four stars. Could have gotten more from me if it had more internal conflict, but other than that it’s nearly flawless. Definitely one of my favorite films of this year. All this to say that this film is worth looking into. For drama/suspense lovers, this is a must see. If you thought this review was helpful please select yes i’d really appreciate it. Thanks.
A new favorite of mine
Watching Prisoners was... an experience, to say the least. It's smart, disturbing, thrilling, and heart-wrenching all at once. It makes you wonder how far you would go in a situation like that. With an amazingly morbid atmosphere and incredible acting, writing, and direction, Prisoners is my favorite movie of the year.
Good But Could've Lost 20 Minutes
The ensemble of actors may be the best I've seen all year, and the director keeps a taut pace throughout, and his screenwriter raises important questions about torture and morality, but the ending is somewhat of a disappointment and it could've used a better editor.
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