Trunk: Locked In

"Trunk" is a rare true genre film from Germany. A thriller that absolutely captivated me from the first minute to the last. Really everything in this film was on point! The main actress captivated me incredibly. Her acting great! The script was written smart, exciting and emotionally.

The camera work in this small setting of a trunk completely blew me away. You would think there are only few options for creating different shots and angles in this setting. But the filmmakers came up with a visual mastery where no shot seems like the same! Creative and great atmosphere. Magnificent lighting. Sometimes I asked myself: How did they do that?

The sound and music are also absolutely great. All in all, the result is a super well-rounded, ultra-exciting, consistently nerve-wracking film that you won't think is from Germany

The rest of the cast also does a damn good job, especially considering the setting of the film. Very good directing work by Marc Schießer. And also great work from the entire film team!

Great recommendation for thriller friends!

When I saw it I was exiting with the theme of the movie!

Then I start watching the movie and it did not disappoint me.... German film and what a thriller!!! Well done! Sure there things like, oh come on why why why did you do that but does it matter. It's just a movie!!! I would say a really good start for 2024!!!

The end is this that I wanted and that's what makes the film cool!!!

Then I start watching the movie and it did not disappoint me.... German film and what a thriller!!! Well done! Sure there things like, oh come on why why why did you do that but does it matter. It's just a movie!!! I would say a really good start for 2024!!!

Medical student Malina (Sina MARTENS) finds herself trapped in the trunk of a car. She and her boyfriend (Artyom GILZ), with whom she was traveling around the world, were overwhelmed at a rest stop. Malina can make herself noticed with a cell phone, but that only helps to a limited extent. Finally, there are still some unpleasant surprises waiting for the young woman...

The AMAZON MGM STUDIOS made a remarkable German shocker by Wuppertal director Marc SCHIESSER possible. The German actress Sina MARTENS, who was just seen in the Berlinale competition entry IN LIEBE, EURE HILDE / IN LOVE, YOUR HILDE by Andreas DRESEN, delivers a magnificent performance in a very small space. Artjom GILZ, who has been known since the series MILK AND HONEY on the German private television channel VOX in 2018, plays her smart friend Enno. Luise HELM, Scarlett JOHANSSON's voice actress, can be heard as the voice of policewoman Elisa.

The story is a bit reminiscent of the Spanish shocker BURIED (2010) with Ryan REYNOLDS, but is independent enough not to be boring. The camera work, the wealth of ideas and the great motorway scenes from the Ruhr area, where the German hit series ALARM FÜR COBRA 11 is filmed, are particularly convincing.

Good genre films can also be made in German-speaking countries. Financially, however, you need the funds of the global streaming giants.

It's also very nice that a popular classic like ICH BIN WIE DU / I AM LIKE YOU by the German pop singer Marianne ROSENBERG is given a completely new honor.

Recommended!

Not a long film, but one that feels like it lasts forever. Logically, difficult terrain: cramped scenario, minimal setting, essentially one-person acting. Only in terms of realism does the script reach into all possible realms to fill the time.

Malina: not a character you warm to, but nothing to criticise in terms of acting.

The driver: an unrealistic, self-important weirdo. No, not a psychopath, a weirdo!

Probably more a film for the cinema, not because of the big screen, but because any distraction at home is probably welcome, and therefore deadly in terms of attention.

After all, it's a German genre film, naturally for this reason without the involvement of German compulsory levies. Nevertheless, neither the setting in general nor the realisation here in particular is my playground.

A small and exquisite thriller from Germany for those who want to elevate their heartbeat for 90 minutes without engaging in sports. A woman wakes up in a trunk and tries to figure out how she got there and - more importantly - how to get out. As simple as the premise may be the execution is sophisticated. What happens in terms of direction within these few square meters is more interesting than in most German cinema productions. It's evident that a lot of thought has gone into every movement of the actress and the camera to make the minimal setting maximally suspenseful. The film, of course, relies heavily on the lead actress who is continuously on screen, often in super close-ups, and is mentally and physically challenged. And Sina Martens delivers! She ensures that you are emotionally connected to Malina throughout, rooting for her. The plot works and provides some twists and turns (which one might foresee), but it is not the main argument for the film. Here it's all about the experience, the claustrophobia, the haptic (there are a few nasty moments). Overall, Trunk is an extremely lean and, due to its breathlessness, very entertaining thriller that makes the most out of its idea.