Lockbox is artfully crafted slow burn

If summarized in one sentence, “Lockbox” is a captivating slow burn that leaves you wondering what the mystery behind the dark encounters in a small country town. 

The director of the movie, Daniel Stamm from Germany, is best known for several other horror films, including “13 Sins,” “Prey for the Devil,” “The Last Exorcism,” and “A Necessary Death.” His latest movie delivers the thriller vibes moviegoers have come to expect from his work. 

The main characters, Ellen, who is grieving from her recent mother’s death, and her cousin Winthrop, whom she hasn’t seen in 30 years and offers a place to stay, provide a good contrast of qualities, being understanding and sociable versus quiet and brooding. This dichotomy at play throughout the whole film is dynamic, however, and changes as the story goes on, providing some depth to the weaving together of these personalities.   The acting by Karla Gugino, Katherine Isabelle, and Lou Taylor Pucci leaves you on the edge of your seat and provides a perfect balance between the light and sinister forces at play in the film. 

The most compelling part of this film is definitely the performance of Isabelle as Vahna Minter. Before we even know much about her character's background, we see her as troubled and as an emotional enigma. Her portrayal is compelling, draws the audience's attention in, and picks up the slower pace of the first half of the film. Vahna repeatedly makes strange assertions and acts in an unusual manner that leaves the kind and patient Ellen at a loss: Who is she, and what does she want with her and her cousin Winthrop? 

The film eventually answers these questions in a twist that is difficult to foresee. It might even have you questioning your point of view on several things, including spirituality, possession, and exorcisms. The film's biggest twists and turns are revealed not through big special effects but rather through artfully crafted directing and character development. There’s also great symbolism in the cinematography and transitions from scene to scene. For example, when cousin Winthrop is going through internal changes, we see the leaves on the trees and the town changing colors as time passes by.  

From the screenplay to the character contrasts, “Lockbox” delivers the thrills and chills needed for a great start to spooky season.  If you like suspense, mystery, possession, and horror, don’t sleep on this film.

Lockbox is now out on VOD as of Aug. 4.