Rose Williams' New Netflix Thriller 'Locked In' Sets Sudden November Premiere Date
Rose Williams in "Locked In"
(Photo: Netflix)
Surprise, the Netflix film Locked In will be arriving on the streamer sooner than any of us might have predicted. The British Netflix Original, which was first announced in late 2022, has had relatively little promotion since then. This makes the streamer's decision to finally drop both a trailer and a release date within literally days of its scheduled premiere more than a little weird. It's a head-scratching choice, honestly, given the recognizable stars attached to the project and the popcorn thriller vibes of the trailer.
The film, which will debut on November 1, takes its name from "locked-in syndrome," a medical condition characterized by the complete paralysis of voluntary muscles. Those suffering from this disorder are often conscious and capable of thought and reason but cannot move or speak, though some can communicate via blinking their eyes.
Locked In follows the story of Lina (Rose Williams), an unhappy newlywed who frequently clashes with her brittle, damaged mother-in-law, Katherine (Famke Janssen). An affair sets Lina on a journey of secrecy, betrayal, and murder — and a plot to seemingly destroy her. But who is the real victim, and who can she truly trust?
It's clear from the trailer that Katherine is somehow suffering from locked-in syndrome, but the question of how she ended up in this state is one only the film itself can answer. Is Lina responsible for her mother-in-law's condition? How far is she willing to go to get out from under her thumb?
Here's the film's logline.
A kindly nurse tries to unlock the secrets of a coma patient's injuries — and discovers the bitter rivalry, infidelity, betrayal and murder behind them
Locked In is the first post-Sanditon role for fan favorite actress Williams, and her role seems something quite different than the sweet Jane Austen heroine we last saw her as. Janssen is, of course, best known for her portrayal of Jean Grey in Bryan Singer's original X-Men trilogy, but in recent years, the actress has appeared in series like The Capture, How to Get Away with Murder, and When They See Us.
Locked In also stars Alex Hassell (The Tragedy of Macbeth), Finn Cole (Peaky Blinders), and Anna Friel (Monarch). They're all in undisclosed roles because Netflix still hasn't told us much of anything at all about this movie. (This is wildly frustrating, and the sort of under-marketing everyone involved in this project deserves better than.)
The film is the first feature directed by award-winner Nour Wazzi (The Last Bus) from a script written by Rowan Joffé (28 Weeks Later). Nicky Bentham producing for Neon Films, while Alison Jackson (Tin Star) is executive producing for Gaumont.
Locked In will premiere on Netflix on Wednesday, November 1, 2023.
