Locke (2013) User Reviews

If there were any doubts that Tom Hardy is one of the best working actors today...

[lnvicta · 8/10 · 31 May 2015]

...Locke provides irrefutable proof that he is. Tom Hardy is absolutely captivating in this role, and he has to be. It's all about his character Ivan Locke driving in a car. That's the setting. All forms of dialogue are from Locke and from calls he gets ingoing and outgoing through the car. The weird thing is, you don't even notice it after a while. Everything flows so smoothly and Tom Hardy's performance completely captures everything you'd expect from this character as he's experiencing these dilemmas - you believe every word out of his mouth and every subtle nuance in his expressions. Tom Hardy owns this movie and Locke really is the perfect vehicle (literally) for showing off his barebones acting chops.

The story itself is that Ivan Locke is a construction worker who just got off his shift and is now driving back, but then gets some calls that give us insight into what he has going on in his personal life and his work life and how Locke responds to this information as it gets progressively more stressful. It's incredible that a movie at only 82 minutes can go through such a roller-coaster of emotions, and as short as it is the movie still flies by because you're so drawn to the character. One of the voices is Locke's coworker voiced by Andrew Scott (Moriarty from Sherlock) and even as a voice-over his performance is totally convincing and his back-and-forth with Hardy is electric and at times humorous. His wife and other parties bring drama into the equation and as things start falling apart for Locke it dips into psychological thriller territory.

Steven Knight deserves much credit as well for having written and directed the film. It's so smooth and sleek, from the highway shots to the few overhead shots of the city at night. It's beautiful and adds the ideal atmosphere for this one-man show to maneuver in. It's a wonderfully written movie, wonderfully directed, perfectly acted (seriously, this is the performance of Hardy's career), with a spot- on supporting cast of voices. Locke is a mesmerizing movie from beginning to end. If you're a Tom Hardy fan or a fan of good cinema in general, you're doing yourself a disservice by not watching Locke.

Hardy delivers a magnificent performance

[Christof_McShine · 8/10 · 24 February 2014]

Tom Hardy plays Ivan Locke, a successful construction manager who makes a major decision on his journey home which will impact on every aspect of his life.

This a low budget drama from writer and director Steven Knight with Hardy the sole screen presence. As he takes to the road he is seemingly a man in control of his destiny, determined to do the right thing only for everything to slowly unravel. Through conversations on the phone he tries to negotiate an emerging crisis at work with his boss and an evolving domestic situation with a concerned wife and sons desperate to have their dad home to watch the football.

With a premise of just one actor in a confined location it is testament to Hardy's acting nous that he can pull off such a taught, powerful performance solely based on reactions to the increasingly dramatic phone calls. Locke is unrelenting in his belief of doing the right thing and we see why when he has imagined conversations with his father, an apparently neglectful and emotionally absent figure in his life. These scenes in particular are beautifully shot with the use of Locke looking into the car mirrors for the man who isn't there.

It wastes very little of its short running time and overall is a captivating and rewarding film with a terrific central performance.

Creativity has nothing to do with budget!

[batinbugday · 8/10 · 13 March 2016]

I can only say we have to appreciate such work of arts since in the modern era of over-exploitation money took over all the popularity of the cinema. It is very obvious that the movie depends on a very limited budget, which I like the most when it comes to cinema, because it is not just for entertainment, or it is not all about marketing and sales. Apart from the story, the movie conveys a message that stimulating people's minds and imaginations does not necessarily require cutting- edge visual effects or a science-fiction rooted story. There are many ways to do that, and when you see the movie I assure you you will ask yourself "How on earth did they manage to craft such an extraordinary movie with such a straightforward story?".This movie has a pure and creative story flow which keeps you follow with all the focus. It makes you imagine, stimulates your curiosity and plays with your nerves. Better watch it yourself!

An ingenious and enthralling character study

[matic-boh1 · 7/10 · 25 July 2014]

Both in terms of technique and storytelling approach Locke proves to be a fascinating piece of filmmaking, as the audience accompanies a successful construction manager on a thrilling car journey, where he faces a massive, life-changing predicament, one that effects both his professional and private life. Tom Hardy is simply magnificent in the title role, portraying a highly complex character for whom one develops very mixed emotions, as he is respected and despised both at the same time. The film demonstrates great ingenuity and creativity with its concept, proving gripping and incredibly suspenseful throughout, the credit for the which can be equally shared by Hardy's marvelous acting skills and a captivating story that is flawlessly executed. The fact that a fairly simple film with a single actor, a single confined location and a long string of problems can produce such a spellbinding experience is nothing short of extraordinary, which certainly makes Locke worthy of the highest praise.

A lesson of how unique and quite fantastic minimalist cinema can be.

[CharlieGreenCG · 10/10 · 31 December 2013]

A surprise at the 57th London Film Festival. A film where the whole story takes places inside the confines of a car, and with Tom Hardy as the one-man star. But just how well does it work?

Tom Hardy, known best for majors roles in The Dark Knight Rises and Inception drops the theatricality and larger than life appearances and takes on the role of average man Ivan Locke, a building site manager, who over the past nine years has made his life as solid as the concrete he is in charge of pouring. Concrete is his religion. On the eve of the biggest job yet, also Europe's largest ever - we follow his car journey from Brighton to Croydon as the world around him slowly crumbles and he loses it all.

British Screenwriter and Director Steven Knight, brings us yet another gripping British drama, after previously making Hummingbird starring Jason Statham earlier this year. Clocking in at just under 90 minutes, Locke is refreshingly short and never over stays its welcome. The narrative is actually so constant that even when Hardy is not in hands- free phone switchboard mode, we capture another underlying story. Locke provides just as much a character journey as it does a car journey.

During the recent UK Premiere, producer Paul Webster recalls his initial talks with Steven Knight, in which he said; 'I want to do something quite different, in a confined space, about a guy whose life changes during the course of one car journey. And we never leave the car.' And that is literally what happens. Bringing an ideal mix of humour and emotion to the project, Hardy's taunt performance is mesmerizing. The put-on Welsh accent is pretty decent also. Filmed in just eight nights and with very low budget, the film is literally a lesson of how unique and quite fantastic minimalist cinema can be.

Unique Cinema. Tom Hardy gives a fantastic performance.

[MUFCOK · 7/10 · 7 January 2015]

Apart from about 20 seconds at the start, the entire film is shot in the confined space of a BMW drivers seat. There is only one physical actor & about 4 different camera shots. Tom Hardy plays Ivan Locke, he lives a successful life in Construction & is a dedicated family man. He is calm and collected and gives the impression that he is a man all about control. In the time it takes him to drive from Birmingham to London, his whole life changes, and you get to see how and why through various telephone calls on Bluetooth loudspeaker.

Tom Hardy gives a very convincing performance and shows everybody that he is not a one trick pony and he can adapt well to different roles and scenarios. With Tom Hardy being the only star of this movie he really needed to bring a powerful performance that the audience can connect to, and he did this successfully in my opinion. The director stated that he wanted to make something completely different and fresh for mainstream cinema, there are other films out similar to this but the ones I have seen don't match up to Locke. This does feel unique and I can appreciate how making a film of this style must be challenging to make it entertaining and keep its viewers hooked. The run time is about right and at just over 80 minutes it's relatively short but I think this helps.

This movie is slow paced, its one man talking on the phone for 80 minutes, so if this doesn't sound like something for you then avoid! I personally found it tense and gripping. The film didn't head in the direction I thought it would but this isn't a bad thing. It has its own unique feel and this is always something I welcome in a world of cinema that is so saturated with clichés and over told stories!

When the credits rolled it did leave me thinking about the movie and had me thinking it over in my head. It actually made me feel quite emotional, this is all down to Tom Hardy and his performance. It is hard to say anything else about this movie without giving key plot points away!

7/10

A writing masterclass with an outstounding performance from Hardy

[eddie_baggins · 8/10 · 7 September 2014]

For Locke's true power as a film to sink in you will need a few days to sit and ponder upon its small yet intricate construction, for in a film that is set almost entirely within the confines of one man's car, Locke deals with many an issue and does so by uncorking a powerhouse Tom Hardy performance and a downright believable script by Brit Steven Knight who here makes up for his dreary directing debut Hummingbird.

There will be many out there that have no time for Locke due to its setup and in a way this is not an unjust decision by them for Locke requires much of you as a viewer and does not look to find a way around this. Not perhaps since Ryan Reynolds found himself in a tight situation in Rodrigo Cortes 2010 film Buried has a film relied so heavily on the audience to bear with it and a performer to hold our attention with nothing more than a phone (or Bluetooth) to act alongside with. Locke's tightly focused pacing and realistic scripting are both hugely successful but it is in the performance of Hardy that the film finds its true power and ability to stick with you days after release.

Oft cast as the hulking or manic presence within a film as seen in any of Warrior, The Dark Knight Rises or Bronson, Hardy hear is a steely at times inwardly reserved Ivan Locke, a man whose world is crumbling around him despite being sheltered by his luxury ride. Playing Locke with a welsh accent and with a vulnerability within both his eye, Hardy showcases a rarely displayed side to his acting talents that Knight uncovers to great effect. Whether Locke is demanding or pleading, Hardy is in control even though his character is slowly but surely crumbling from within. It's one of the year's best acting turns, unflashy yet utterly commanding, Hardy achieves more with a singly look than some actors do within an entire role. It's worth also mentioning the voice work (the only other people you will hear during the entire movie, no one else is ever seen) of the cast here in Locke, from Olivia Colman through to The Impossible's Tom Holland as Locke's son Eddie, all voice performers give soul to the voices we hear on the phone.

A movie to be watched in the tightest surrounds available to you, Locke isn't an easy watch due to its setting and not a movie made for overall public consumption. Locke is however an incredibly smart and well-constructed film that is the perfect showcase for the increasing acting prowess of Tom Hardy, an actor that continues to stake a claim as one of if not the most interesting and diverse performers in the business today.

4 Bluetooth calls out of 5

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Impressive vehicle for Mr. Hardy

[bbickley13-921-58664 · 7/10 · 30 April 2014]

I went to see the movie because the review of the movie said that it would change what you thought about film making. This would be true if you've never seen a movie before, but that is not the case.

Not to say that the movie is not good. It acts as a sort of one man play starring Tom Hardy as Ivan Locke, a man who made a mistake in his past that threatens to unwrap his perfect life when he tries to do the right thing. The movie totally relies on the actor playing the role and Tom steps up to the challenge nicely.

But I've seen this kind of one man play with Buried starring Ryan Reynolds and Brake starring Stephen Dorff. I can even mention other movies like 127hours or Phone booth that have a similar concept.

What makes Locke different is that the pressure of life and death is not there. In those movies the leading (and only) men were threaten with the proposal of death, While in this movie, Ivan Locke's way of Life is threaten with change, and it's this change in the concept that made the movie Quiet and low key, but the filmmakers were still able to make if fast pasted and kinetic (having it take place in a Car going down the highway helps).

The movie had the same pressure of a ticking clock about to explode and the lead character attempting to talk himself out of the situation, but the filmmaker does not force the tension or thrills on you. Ivan Locke's situation is very down to earth and every day to day. Watching him attempt to deal with this situation could have come off boring after a half hour if not for Tom Hardy showing his mental acting chops (versus how physically intimidating he seemed as Bane in Dark Knight Rises, he's a small man in real life).

Though the movie was good to watch I could have gotten the same effect streaming it at home on Netflix. Recommend you do the same.

A man among men

[breytie · 10/10 · 13 July 2014]

Here I am, giving lectures to fathers about maintaining the different relationships in their lives. But alas!, how does one demonstrate the ideal, even if you might know such a person?

In comes this film Locke, demonstrating integrity, responsibility, caring, loyalty, firmness, perseverance, plus some more good things about being a man among men. Forget about Hercules, Braveheart and so many attractive and well muscled heroes. Here is a man who knows how to be alone, how to overcome rejection, how to lead colleagues, how to embrace his children,how to accept his wife as a person even when she acts unfairly, how to be fearlessly honest.

And yet he is not some miracle. He gets extremely frustrated an angry, but he can allow it to happen without picking on someone else.

What a movie!!

Nice acting, unlikely story

[oparser · 12 March 2019]

I don't care that the entire movie is filmed inside a car. The only actor we actually see on screen, Tom Hardy, gives a great acting performance as a man (Ivan Locke) who is driving and talking on the phone all the time in a very difficult situation. The problem I have with this movie is the story. Imagine a construction manager who suddenly leaves his most important project, a huge building that is going to be built, in the most crucial day, and thus ruins his own life and his family. Why would he do that? Ivan Locke chooses to go because a woman he had sex with and he barely knows is going to deliver a baby that very night. When she asks him to attend, he feels compelled to go as he is the father of the child, supposedly. As a consequence of his behavior he is going to lose his job, as he even refuses to make up an excuse like being ill or something, and he is going to lose his wife too. But he doesn't seem to care a lot, he is only concerned with the woman who is giving birth and with the building project he abandoned (he has just been fired, but he still feels responsible for the project). How likely is all that?

Do the Right Thing

[ferguson-6 · 7/10 · 15 April 2014]

Greetings again from the darkness. Most movies that take place in a confined space are outright thrillers that usually take full advantage of helpless feelings and desperate actions. Think back to Duel, Phone Booth and Buried. A ticking clock and lack of a safe escape route had us sweating bullets with Dennis Weaver, Colin Farrell and Ryan Reynolds. This entry from the Dallas International Film Festival takes a much different approach.

Noted British writer Steven Knight also directs this one, and rather than nail-biting tension, we get a pretty interesting character study. Mr. Knight has written some impressive screenplays: Dirty Pretty Things, Amazing Grace, and Eastern Promises. Utilizing every ounce of his writing expertise, he keeps us connected to Ivan Locke (Tom Hardy) as he drives on the freeway with intermittent rain being his biggest physical obstacle. There are no high speed chases. No stunts. No weapons. Ivan is not being followed by a spy or anyone else. He is merely driving and talking on the phone via Bluetooth.

In what could be considered the ultimate film gimmick, Tom Hardy is the only actor to appear on screen. His Ivan Locke is not just the only major character. He is the ONLY one. All supporting work and conflict is provided by a multitude of voices on the other end of a phone call. There is no need for me to delve into the story or the plot, but you should know that the situation Ivan finds himself in is not some creative web of criminal deceit ... instead it's his penance for one poor decision. That poor decision has him in a tough spot with very poor timing.

For those that wonder if Bane from The Dark Knight Rises has the acting chops to hold our attention, a reminder of Tom Hardy's fine work should alleviate concerns: Warrior, Inception, Lawless, Bronson, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy. He can act and he can make a character his own, just as he does with Ivan Locke.

It's all about the acting

[thegeekboss1228 · 10/10 · 17 February 2015]

This movie is formed by the excellent Tom Hardy performance. It's that good. I would put it up there with Gregory Peck in To Kill a Mocking Bird, and Anthony Hopkins in Silence of the Lambs. Okay, now I think you understand how good I think Hardy does. The movie seems boring from a simple summary. "It's about a guy taking phone calls in his car for almost 90 minutes". That sounds boring, but it's not. It's actually the most suspenseful movie of the year. (2014, it came out in the US in 2014). Sounds impossible, but writer/director Steven Knight does amazing with a tiny budget. You also get to know, not only Hardy's character, but the people he's talking to on the phone as well. They truly seem like real people. The situation they create is also very creative and interesting. I won't say what it is, but I don't think it's a spoiler. I'll just say it makes you wonder what you'd do in the given situation. It's the best British film I've seen since Trainspotting, and definitely deserves one, if not more, viewings.

Hardy proves his worth

[SnoopyStyle · 7/10 · 11 November 2014]

Foreman Ivan Locke (Tom Hardy) races off his construction site on the eve of a historical concrete pour to attend his baby's birth. He had an one-time affair and had recently been contacted by the woman that she's having his child. He puts his family and career in danger. His family is expecting him home to watch a football game. His bosses are besides themselves and he's fired. He tries to help his assistant to take over the big job. It's an one-man movie as he drives in car and talk to various people on the phone.

These one-man movies are alway fascinating to see the acting ability or lack thereof from the actor involved. This has a few interesting things. I like the drunken assistant. Rarely has a concrete pour been done more excitingly. The most important facade of the movie is Tom Hardy's performance. I've always thought that he's a good actor. This just solidified it. He hits all the right notes with his reserved manners and the inner turmoil underneath. He shows that he is a worthwhile actor.

Know what you're getting yourself in for

[bowmanblue · 5/10 · 31 August 2014]

I didn't like 'Locke,' but I'm pretty sure that it's my fault I didn't. First of all, I don't watch films at the cinema, only on DVD. Then, if a film has an actor/theme etc that I like, I'll watch it without really finding out what it's about. I think this was a major mistake with Locke.

I'm a big fan of Tom Hardy and will watch him in pretty much anything since I first saw him in Star Trek 10 (yes, I was a fan even before he put his 'Bane' mask on). And, if you check out the various quotes on the front of the poster for Locke, you'll see things like 'An outstanding thriller.' Well, that was enough to get me to watch it without even bothering to find out what was contained within the film.

I expected a tense, thrill ride, jam-packed with action and car chases. At least I got the car.

The film is actually about one man (yes, just a single man for an hour and twenty minutes). Tom Hardy plays a man (called 'Locke' believe it or not) who is driving from his home in Wales to London to be with a woman (not his wife I should point out) who is about to give birth to his child. The entire film therefore takes place in the car with him at the wheel, as he talks to various people over the phone, i.e. his wife (who is none too happy about this) and his business associates (who are equally unhappy about him abandoning them on the eve of a major contract).

And there you have it… nearly an hour and a half of a man talking on his car phone. Now, I'm not saying that it's not tense, nor badly-acted. Tom Hardy is excellent (as always) and this is basically a one-man play which highlights just how good an actor he really is. However, thrilling it isn't. I get what the film-makers are trying to do, i.e. slowly cranking up the tension as the journey continues, but it just didn't work for me.

Maybe it was because I was expecting something completely different. I know it's my fault. If you bother to check out other reviews/internet message boards (which I obviously didn't!) you'll find this quite clearly stated.

So, know what you're getting in for with this film. It's probably quite good if you're in the mood for a minimalistic little slow-burner. I'll probably watch it again sometime when I'm in the mood for something a little more subtle. In the meantime, I'll stick to watching Tom snapping Batman's back like a twig.

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A rewarding ride

[JohnDeSando · 16 May 2014]

"Make one little mistake and the whole world comes crashing down." Ivan Locke (the incomparable Tom Hardy)

Put a man in a car that's your entire set. The actor,story, and cinematography must be superior, or no one will sit for an hour and a half (a little less than real time) while construction manager Ivan drives his competent BMW on the M6 from Birmingham to London (similar in some of the set-up for Drive). The exceptionally-involving minimalist movie Locke is almost beautiful with auto lights cascading in and out of frame while the protagonist navigates the toughest trip of his life.

Although Ivan has made "one little mistake" (his wife, Katrina, played by Ruth Wilson, would consider that an understatement), he is determined to go forward as an honest man to accept his responsibilities. He must leave on the eve of overseeing the biggest non-military concrete pouring in European history to attend the birth of a baby born to an introvert (Olivia Colman) out of his one-night stand. By leaving his family and his job on this night, he faces losing both for a point of honor.

Ivan is an honorable man whose sense of good and bad is so strong that a fellow worker calls him "the best man in England." Notwithstanding his weak moment a year ago, he exemplifies as we fully face him in most of the shots—remember Her?) the steadfastness and resolve that define a well-ordered engineer's life. His mantra "The traffic will be okay" resonates with the resolve of a man who is used to completing efficiently his duties both domestically and globally.

The dynamism of the story comes from the calls on his hands-free phone system. Writer-director Stephen Knight expertly paces and alternates the calls mainly from his wife, his almost mistress, and Donal (Andrew Scott), whose job is to coordinate the pouring although he is drinking too much "cider" and has no experience managing. Ivan handles the separate crises with a relative cool (he does barely weep sometimes) so that by the end we are fully familiar with a man of substance challenged as few men would ever be.

His imaginary conversation with his father, from which we infer that dad left Ivan long ago, reveals Ivan will not repeat history by avoiding his responsibilities. We ride along with a man of principle whose resolve is reflected when he says, "I have made my decision."

Decide to see this impeccably-made indie—it's a rewarding dramatic ride.

Tom Hardy shines in this plotless movie

[EasternZZ · 6/10 · 19 October 2018]

Tom Hardy gets to show off his acting talents in this movie. He is a one man army, and he carries this entire movie. I am a fan of Bane, I mean Tom Hardy, and always look forward to the next creative role that he takes.

Unfortunately this movie is rather bland. It takes place in a car and it is interesting for the first 20 minutes of so, but it just drags on and on. He talks to multiple people on the phone, he talks to himself, and he is always looking at his rearview like someone is trying to kill him ( which doesn't happen). The story is about him going to the hospital to see someone because of something from his past.

The color of the film is great, and the music is great, but unfortunately the movie is a little bit too long, even at only 85 minutes. They could have cut this down to 70 minutes and it would have had better pacing. You are literally just watching him sitting in the car for the whole movies, talking to people on the phone. Every once in a while they will have an outside pan shot of the car driving by, but it doesn't happen.

Tom Hardy is great, and if you want to see him at his best, go watch Bronson. His acting in that movie is terrific!

A heart pounding drama featuring one of the best performances of all time.

[trublu215 · 10/10 · 20 April 2014]

I was lucky enough to catch an early screening of this before it officially hits the States theatrically and I must say, this was quite possibly one of the best films I've seen in the last 5 years. Locke pits Tom Hardy as titular character going through a life crisis in real time while taking a drive into the London nightlife. Locke features Tom Hardy in, what quite possibly may be, the best performance from an actor that I've seen in quite some time. The film does very little in giving the audience much eye candy, considering the entire film takes place in Locke's car as he drives through the night. What this film does, which not many films do anymore, it relies solely on Hardy's brawny shoulders. With very little in terms of a pay off regarding plot, Hardy's tour de force performance engrosses you with every minute that goes by. There was not one moment I can think of where I was looking at my watch or was at all bored with it. To think that an entire film taking place in a singular location, let alone it being entirely in a car, would be heart pounding even had me a little skeptical. Fear not, Locke will have you gripping the handles of your seat and will have you talking about it even after the end credits roll. Many people will most likely dislike the abrupt and ambiguous ending but at the end of the day there was no other way to end this night from hell for this man. Steven Knight writes and directs a taut, white knuckle thriller here that deserves to be seen by the masses. I still can't get over how great this film was, so much so that when it officially comes to theaters, I'll be racing back to see it again. Overall, this is minimalist filmmaking with a one two punch for a lead performance. If you're fans of Eastern Promises and Dirty Little Things, you will love Steven Knight's Locke. And even if you are not fans of those films, the film is worth seeing for Tom Hardy's performance alone. I highly recommend this film.

a man's life spins out of control during a drive to London

[blanche-2 · 7/10 · 17 June 2015]

Tom Hardy gives a magnificent performance as "Locke," a 2013 film written and directed by Stephen Knight.

This isn't the first time there has only been one person in a film -- Robert Altman's "Secret Honor" has Nixon talking into a tape recorder in a stream of consciousness. That was based on a play, and Nixon's was the only voice.

In Locke, we only see Locke, but we hear the voices of other people over his car phone. The character is driving to London on the M6 and fielding a lot of phone calls. He has made the decision to be at the hospital for the birth of his illegitimate child and as a result, can't be at the huge concrete pour happening on his job, or at home with his wife and two sons watching a game on television.

We watch Locke's life falling apart in 90 minutes, while he stays resolute in his decision, and also keeps his cool. He works with Donal (Andrew Scott), who is on site for the concrete pour, going over everything that has to be done and handling problems that come up as Donal prepares for the next day's action.

He calms the expectant mother, a woman he hardly knows who become pregnant after a one-night stand. He confesses to his wife and talks to her throughout the drive, and also to his two sons. He reassures his boss about the concrete pour. He deals with the maternity unit at the hospital.

Locke has made a decision that has impacted his job and home life, but he has done so to be a better man than his father, whom he talks to during the drive, although his father isn't there. He's someone everyone seems to depend on.

The whole film depends on Hardy keeping our attention, and he does, with the only set being a car. A very absorbing drama without the usual bells and whistles, and refreshingly free of predictability or clichés.

Very good and must be seen to be appreciated.

Brilliant!

[kerrinmanhattan · 9/10 · 19 January 2022]

As always, Tom Hardy was absolutely amazing! I felt like I was right there in the car with him, experiencing every emotion as if lit were my own! BRILLIANT!!!

interesting film making but definitely not for everyone

[abigailjackson-55395 · 7/10 · 28 October 2020]

To be completely honest, I knew nothing about the movie at all, other than that Tom Hardy was in it, before watching it. After the first fifteen minutes, I was beginning to wonder how much longer until he reaches the hospital? After scrubbing through the rest of the movie, I realized that the entire plot of the movie centers around the phone calls he receives on his way to the hospital. At first, I was a little upset by this, but I came to really enjoy it. The film finds a way to be engaging without much visual storytelling which I found very bold and unique. The film would have been an utter failure without an actor of Tom Hardy's caliber. He does a great job of engaging the audience with little to work with other than limited body language and his own voice. I'm not going to lie, parts of the movie were a little dull, but the uniqueness of the storyline made up for it in my opinion. This movie is definitely not for everyone, but it's a must watch if you want to look into to different types of fil making and story telling. I'm pretty unlikely to re-watch this movie any time soon, but in the end it's a worthwhile watch.

Excruciating to watch

[dsand67733 · 8/10 · 21 February 2022]

I lose my temper on a phone call to the cable company. I would've lost my mind in this situation. I really like Tom Hardy & so I would recommend this movie just because of him.

A gripping, minimalist thriller which i more of a novelty experience.

[johnnymurphy15 · 6/10 · 30 April 2014]

Locke is one of those films that is difficult to explain without making it sound boring. After I've explained the basic plot, my usual response is 'So… it's just a man in a car talking on the phone? That's it?' I respond by explaining that it has the minimalist approach similar to films like 'Phone Booth' and 'Buried' and has thematic links to 'All is Lost' and 'Gravity'; the theme of dealing with the multitude of problems life throws at you. That generally wins them over! It may lack the visuals of the latter movies, but makes up for it with the use of dialogue set pieces which gradually builds up and comes to a head.

Tom Hardy is the only person you see throughout the entire film. He plays Ivan Locke, the man in the drivers seat speaking on his hands-free set while making a drive from Brighton to Croydon. He has to get to a hospital where his mistress Bethan is giving birth to his child. She is distressed and afraid and Locke is determined to get there to see the child. He has made a decision based on the principle that he had a one night stand with her and now the resulting child is his fault and he has to do what is right. While this is happening, he has to deal with a huge concrete delivery for one of the most historic pours in Europe. He has made the decision not to be there as he wants to be with the new born child. He tries sorting out the preparations for delivery through his drunken assistant Donal, and has to deal with his angry boss, who apparently is having a hard time from the top men in Chicago. He loses his job, but is still determined to sort out the delivery and the pour anyway to follow through his principles. He also has to tell his wife about the affair and the resulting baby, which she does not take very well. There are many calls which he has to make, and many calls which he receives about those three problems which he has to deal with almost simultaneously. The limitations of space in the car he is driving in provides the claustrophobia and the tension and anxiety experienced by Locke.

The phone conversations are occasionally broken up by musical interludes showing the passage of time and Tom Hardy's monologues directed to his absent father he imagines to be seated at the back. These monologues are surprisingly dark and full of vitriol to this absent figure who spent his lifetime evading responsibility. He is determined not to make the same mistake with this child and wants to stand behind his decision and wills himself to make everything work at the end of the night. He seems to be a perfectionist who has lead a very organised life. He uses concrete or building analogies to explain his situation. For example, 'One crack and the whole building could come crashing down' explaining his affair and the potential damage to his life.

The film shows a man constantly trying to find a solution to these mounting problems which become progressively exacerbated with each call. A strong will and an ability to solve complicated problems under a limited time-frame with limited communication is what is required of Locke, very much unlike his apparently useless father. Whatever life throws your way, if you take responsibility and take charge of the situation, things will work out. Of course there is a sacrifice. While many of his problems were worked out, unfortunately his family situation is looking like it is coming to a close due to his decision. Sometimes decisions are made which have negative consequences, but the ending is hopeful with the arrival of new life.

It is a nice experiment with an effective use of dialogue to create tension, excitement and sometimes unease. Using what seems to be a normal everyday man dealing with domestic problems gives a level of believability (although I don't know if all these conclusions can possibly be reached in a 2 hour car journey). Tom Hardy gives a solid performance in what is a difficult role. Apparently he receives these calls while he is actually driving, providing more realism needed for this simple premise. For me, the film seemed like a novelty experience where you enjoy for what it is, but I can't see it being a particularly memorable one. It does not seem like a film that is for multiple viewings, but still a solid effort. Binging concrete to a mainstream audience is quite an achievement in itself.

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Intense and thought-provoking

[imdb-73-573849 · 9/10 · 6 July 2015]

Very intense - and yet the movie is essentially about a man driving a car whilst making and receiving telephone calls. A "talking heads" movie with only a single talking head, as the other actors are voice actors speaking over the telephone line.

And yet despite this simplicity, Tom Hardy manages to convey a great deal of emotion whilst speaking in a very calm Welsh accent, (or at least the accent of a Welshman who has been living in England for a long time), playing a man who has made a momentous decision to do the right thing and is now attempting to deal with all the consequences that flow from that decision.

It seems such a simple premise for a film - but at the same time it simply works very well indeed. Highly recommended.

Came for Hardy, stayed for Hardy

[SoumikBanerjee1996 · 7/10 · 4 April 2022]

Locke is a gripping tale about a mid-age man who's currently on the verge of a psychotic breakdown because of several reasons in his professional as well as personal life and now a series of phone calls through the Bluetooth of his vehicle is about to change his life forever.

The premise did sound catchy enough I agree, but what made it all click is the writing of the dialogues and especially the way Tom Hardy delivers them. When you have the camera right at your face for almost the entire duration, you have no other option but to be on your toes all the time. Not to mention, as the only visible actor you would be expected to put in some extra efforts to keep us, the audience engaged, or else, things could go sideways at any given moment.

Don't worry, Tom Hardy did his job alright! He knew exactly what he had to do. Despite the repetitive nature of the plot periodically setting in; it's because of Mr Hardy and Hardy only that I didn't lose my attention. It's truly a one-man show and I love when Tom Hardy flexes those thespian muscles of his.

P. S. Here Tom Holland gave his voice to the role of Eddie, the son of Tom Hardy's character. Tom Hardy plays the role of Eddie in Venom who is supposed to be the adversary of Spider-man played by Tom Holland. What a coincidence right?

Tedious

[martgym · 1/10 · 27 January 2021]

Nothing happens. There's no outcome to the "drama"