Films about being trapped often explore the intense psychological and physical struggles of characters who find themselves in confined spaces or situations from which escape seems impossible. These films often delve into themes of survival, desperation, and the human will to overcome adversity.
“127 Hours”, 2010
Director: Danny Boyle
Based on a true story, this film follows the harrowing ordeal of a mountain climber who becomes trapped in a canyon and must find a way to survive for 127 hours before help arrives.
Starring: James Franco, Kate Mara, Amber Tamblyn, Clémence Poésy, Lizzy Caplan, Treat Williams, Kate Burton, Sean Bott, John Lawrence, Koleman Stinger;
Production year: 2010;
Genre: thriller, biography, drama, adventure;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 93 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,5;
More information about the film “127 Hours” on the website imdb.com
“Buried”, 2010
Director: Rodrigo Cortés
Ryan Reynolds stars in this claustrophobic thriller about a man who wakes up buried alive in a coffin with only a cell phone and a lighter, as he races against time to escape.
Starring: Ryan Reynolds, José Luis García-Pérez, Robert Paterson, Stephen Tobolowsky, Samantha Mathis, Ivana Miño, Warner Loughlin, Erik Palladino, Kali Rocha, Chris Martin;
Production year: 2010;
Genre: thriller, drama, detective;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 95 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7;
“The Descent”, 2005
Director: Neil Marshall
A group of female friends on a caving expedition become trapped underground and must fight for their lives against a terrifying force lurking in the darkness.
Starring: Shauna Macdonald, Natalie Jackson Mendoza, Alex Reid, Saskia Mulder, MyAnna Buring, Nora-Jane Noone, Oliver Milburn, Molly Kayll, Craig Conway, Leslie Simpson;
Production year: 2005;
Genre: horror, thriller, adventure;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 99 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,2;
More information about the film “The Descent” on the website imdb.com
“Panic Room”, 2002
Director: David Fincher
Jodie Foster stars in this thriller about a mother and daughter who must hide in a panic room when intruders break into their home, trapping them inside.
Starring: Jodie Foster, Kristen Stewart, Forest Whitaker, Dwight Yoakam, Jared Leto, Patrick Bauchau, Ann Magnuson, Ian Buchanan, Mel Rodriguez, Paul Schulze;
Production year: 2002;
Genre: thriller, drama, crime;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 107 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,8;
More information about the film “Panic Room” on the website imdb.com
“Cube”, 1997
Director: Vincenzo Natali
A group of strangers wake up in a maze of deadly traps and must work together to navigate the deadly puzzle and find a way out.
Starring: Nicole de Boer, Nicky Guadagni, David Hewlett, Andrew Miller, Julian Richings, Wayne Robson, Maurice Dean Wint;
Production year: 1997;
Genre: science fiction, thriller, horror;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 90 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,1;
More information about the film “Cube” on the website imdb.com
“Frozen”, 2013
Director: Chris Buck, Jennifer Lee
Three friends get stranded on a ski lift high above the ground and must battle the elements and their own fears in order to survive.
Starring: Kristen Bell, Idina Menzel, Jonathan Groff, Josh Gad, Santino Fontana, Alan Tudyk, Ciarán Hinds, Chris Williams, Stephen J. Anderson, Maia Wilson;
Production year: 2013;
Genre: animation, musical, fantasy, comedy, melodrama, adventure, family;
MPAA rating: pg;
Duration: 102 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,4;
More information about the film “Frozen” on the website imdb.com
“The Shallows”, 2016
Director: Jaume Collet-Serra
Blake Lively stars in this survival thriller about a surfer who becomes stranded on a rock in the ocean, with a hungry shark circling nearby.
Starring: Blake Lively, Óscar Jaenada, Joseph Salas, Brett Cullen, Sedona Legge, Pablo Calva, Diego Espejel, Janelle Bailey, Ava Dean, Chelsea Moody;
Production year: 2016;
Genre: horror, action, thriller, drama;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 87 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,3;
More information about the film “The Shallows” on the website imdb.com
“Phone Booth”, 2002
Director: Joel Schumacher
Colin Farrell plays a man who answers a ringing phone in a phone booth, only to find himself trapped by a sniper who threatens to shoot him if he hangs up.
Starring: Colin Farrell, Kiefer Sutherland, Forest Whitaker, Radha Mitchell, Katie Holmes, Paula Jai Parker, Arian Ash, Tia Texada, John Enos III, Richard T. Jones;
Production year: 2002;
Genre: thriller, crime;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 81 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,1;
More information about the film “Phone Booth” on the website imdb.com
“The Mist”, 2007
Director: Frank Darabont
After a strange mist descends on a small town, a group of people become trapped in a supermarket and must contend with otherworldly creatures lurking outside.
Starring: Thomas Jane, Marcia Gay Harden, Laurie Holden, Nathan Gamble, Andre Braugher, Toby Jones, William Sadler, Jeffrey DeMunn, Frances Sternhagen, Alexa Davalos;
Production year: 2007;
Genre: horror, thriller, science fiction;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 126 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,1;
More information about the film “The Mist” on the website imdb.com
“The Road”, 2009
Director: John Hillcoat
In a post-apocalyptic world, a father and son must navigate a desolate landscape while evading danger and struggling to survive.
Starring: Viggo Mortensen, Kodi Smit-McPhee, Charlize Theron, Guy Pearce, Robert Duvall, Molly Parker, Michael Kenneth Williams, Garret Dillahunt, Bob Jennings, Agnes Herrmann;
Production year: 2009;
Genre: drama, thriller;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 111 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,2;
In exploring the theme of being trapped, these films offer a captivating and introspective look into the complexities of human nature when faced with confinement. Each movie delves into different facets of the experience, from physical imprisonment to emotional entrapment, showcasing the resilience, despair, and sometimes the unexpected redemption that can arise in such circumstances. Through powerful performances, atmospheric settings, and thought-provoking narratives, these films masterfully depict the struggles and triumphs that come with being trapped, leaving a lasting impact on viewers and prompting reflection on the limitations and freedoms we all face in our lives.
