Inside

Inside is a film that delves into the depths of isolation and resilience of the human spirit. At the heart of this psychological thriller, Willem Dafoe embodies the film's themes and emotions. With a premise that seems eerily familiar in the wake of global lockdowns, Inside takes confinement to a whole new level.

Willem Dafoe, known for his varied and often enigmatic roles, takes center stage as Nemo, an art thief who embarks on a heist in a Manhattan penthouse. The apartment is a marvel of modern luxury, an opulent sanctuary adorned with priceless works of art, but it soon becomes the crucible of Nemo's existence.

The film wastes no time in setting up its premise. Within minutes, Nemo finds himself trapped inside this chic prison when the high-tech security system malfunctions, locking him in with no way out. The initial sense of novelty of exploring this grandiose apartment quickly gives way to a sense of impending claustrophobia. The viewer, like Nemo, becomes aware of the inherent paradox - confinement in an expansive space.

In many ways, Inside is a contemporary version of the survival genre, echoing the themes of isolation that many experienced during the lockdowns. Nemo's ordeal is not as terrible as Tom Hanks' isolation on a desert island in Cast Away, but it is no less trying. What sets this film apart is the insidious omnipresence of technology. The smart home system turns mundane actions like opening the fridge into surreal events, amplifying the sinister atmosphere of this luxury penthouse turned prison.

The absence of human contact is a powerful undercurrent throughout the film. Nemo is very close to the outside world, visible through the huge floor-to-ceiling windows. He observes the bustling cityscape, people going about their lives, but is completely cut off from them. This proximity to the outside world only intensifies the psychological torment of his predicament.

As days turn into weeks, Nemo's struggle for survival is a visceral experience. With a minimum of dialogue, Willem Dafoe achieves a tour de force. His transformation from a quiet, methodical thief to a man gradually losing his mind is both fascinating and haunting. Nemo starts talking to security cameras, creating imaginary relationships with the people he observes and even organizing comedy shows for his invisible audience. Dafoe's ability to convey the unraveling of a character's psyche is a testament to both his acting prowess and the film's exceptional direction.

Although Nemo's journey is captivating, Inside reaches a plateau in the middle of the film's running time. The themes of art, creation and destruction, which are subtly woven into the narrative, don't fully come to the fore until the film's final act. These themes are powerful and thought-provoking, but their late emergence seems somewhat disjointed from the intense tale of survival that precedes them. Moreover, the film demands a moderate suspension of disbelief as to why no one checks the apartment while the owner is away.

Inside raises questions about the power of art and its role in sustaining the human spirit. Can art be the lifeline that keeps us afloat in moments of loneliness and despair? The film offers no definitive answer, leaving that interpretation to the audience. Like the luxurious but sterile penthouse, Inside is sumptuously decorated but ultimately spare in its reflection on art, isolation and the human condition.

Inside stands out as a psychological thriller that draws you into a grandiose but claustrophobic world of isolation and art. Although it sometimes loses focus, the exploration of confinement and the indomitable spirit of Willem Dafoe's character make this film an unsettling and thought-provoking cinematic experience.

Inside
Directed by Vasilis Katsoupis
Screenplay by Ben Hopkins
Story by Vasilis Katsoupis
Produced by Giorgos Karnavas, Marcos Kantis, Dries Phlypo
Starring  Willem Dafoe, Gene Bervoets, Eliza Stuyck
Cinematography : Steve Annis
Edited by Lambis Haralambidis
Music by Frederik van de Moortel
Production Companies : Heretic, Schiwago Film, A Private View
Distributed by Sony Pictures Belgium (Belgium), L’Atelier distribution (France), Focus Features (United States)
Release date : March 17, 2023 (United States), November 1, 2023 (France)
Running time : 105 minutes

Viewed on October 25 2023

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