Prisoners (2013)
★★★★½ — Prisoners (2013)
Prisoners was the film that properly introduced English-speaking audiences to Denis Villeneuve, the Québécois director who had already made a considerable mark in French Canada with Incendies (2010). Working from Aaron Guzikowski's spec script, which had been circulating Hollywood for several years before Alcon Entertainment picked it up, Villeneuve brought the kind of methodical, uncomfortable patience to American studio filmmaking that was relatively rare in 2013. The finished film ran to a demanding 153 minutes, a bold ask for a mainstream thriller, yet it performed well commercially, taking over $122 million worldwide. It also served as a significant calling card for cinematographer Roger Deakins, whose muted, rain-soaked palette became one of the film's most discussed qualities. Villeneuve followed it almost immediately with Enemy, also starring Gyllenhaal, before moving into bigger territory with Sicario and Arrival.
Detective Loki's hair deserves an award. This movie deserves all the plaudits. The acting is career defining from Hugh Jackman. Probably the best movie I've seen him in. Paul Dano is also brilliant. He's always good at playing a slightly "less than a full lunch" kinda individual. This is one of those great movies that keeps you guessing and keeps you on the edge of your toes right up til the end. The cinematography, especially in the rainy drive at the end, is sublime. I only marked it down because I felt like the ending was a little TOO abrupt and unsatisfying.
Rating: ★★★★½ | Year: 2013 | Watched: 2025-04-20
Where to watch (UK)
Stream: Netflix · BFI Player · BFI Player Amazon Channel · FilmBox+
Rent: Apple TV Store · Rakuten TV · Amazon Video · Google Play Movies
Buy: Apple TV Store · Rakuten TV · Amazon Video · Google Play Movies
Physical: Amazon UK
Affiliate disclosure: Movies With Macca may earn a small commission on purchases or subscriptions started via these links. It costs you nothing extra.
Related on Movies With Macca
More from Denis Villeneuve: Arrival (2016)
More with Hugh Jackman: Logan (2017) · Van Helsing (2004) · X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014) · X-Men: The Last Stand (2006)
More from the 2010s: Wonder (2017) · Beautiful Boy (2018) · The Witch (2015) · What We Do in the Shadows (2014)
More drama: Viy (1967) · Wonder (2017) · A Better Tomorrow (1986) · Beautiful Boy (2018)
More thriller: Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956) · Angst (1983) · The Long Walk (2025) · Punishment Park (1971)
