No matter how many thrillers come out each year, there’s always room for more. This is especially true when there’s a good premise and a solid cast behind it. This appears to be the case with Farren Blackburn’s Shut In.
The plot centers around a widow, played by Naomi Watts, who lost her husband in a car accident that also left her son (Charlie Heaton) in a catatonic state. She then takes in a young boy (Jacob Tremblay) who suddenly disappears during a winter storm. Supernatural occurrences begin to happen and the widow must find the young boy before he disappears forever.
What’s most intriguing about the trailer is how many movies and television shows it emulates in its brief runtime. It shares similarities with The Ring series with its supernatural elements and even the bathtub scene reminiscent of The Ring Two. Obviously, Naomi Watts starred in those movies as well. It’s also similar to Netflix’s Stranger Things with a child going missing under mysterious circumstances. Coincidentally, Charlie Heaton starred in that show as well as in Shut In. The trailer also hearkens back to films like The Others, Shutter Island, and The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo. Unlike a film like Don’t Breathe, it seems like Shut In might be able to blend its influences into one cohesive experience though.
It’s definitely nice to see Naomi Watts return to the thriller genre after her success in drama. She’s also one of the most underrated actresses in Hollywood. On top of that, Jacob Tremblay gets another shot at wowing audiences after his excellent performance in 2015’s Room. There’s even an Oliver Platt sighting thrown in for good measure. All in all, there’s just a lot about this film to like from the look of this first trailer.
Shut In opens in theaters on November 11th. Check out the trailer and comment below.
