The Daily Wire‘s first original film, ‘Shut In,’ will most likely polarize audiences before its free world premiere on YouTube this Thursday, February 10, 2022 at 9 p.m. EST.
Editor’s Note:
The Daily Wire‘s first original film, ‘Shut In,’ will most likely polarize audiences even before its free world premiere on YouTube this Thursday, February 10, 2022 at 9 p.m. EST. Sadly, this statement is not based on the content of the film, but because of Ben Shapiro, the founder of The Daily Wire and his reputation of being a, “right winger.” Yes, Mr. Shapiro is an observant Orthodox Jew, which would put him on the conservative side of the political spectrum, but as we often hear so many people begging to, “separate the art from the artist,” I will do the same and separate the production from the producer.
People may resort to calling me all sorts of ethnic pejoratives, for not only reviewing this movie, but also for finding it enjoyable. However, as a minority within a minority and a descendent of the 1915 Genocide survivor, all I can say is, “C’est la vie.”
The Breakdown and Review:
Jessica (Rainey Qualley) is a recently sober mother of two who lives in her late mother’s dilapidated country house. In order to remain in her dwelling, she must also remain sober. Unfortunately, money is tight and Jessica looking to move her two children to Texas in hopes of a better life, her abusive, junkie boyfriend Rob (Jake Horowitz) and his child molesting friend, Sam (Vincent Gallo) show up high, confronting Jessica by locking her in the pantry. Now as her children still in the house with Rob and Sam, Jessica must find a way to break out of captivity in order to save them before the unthinkable happens.
Director D.J. Caruso (Eagle Eye, The Salton Sea, xXx: The Return of Xander Cage) pulls off an incredible feat with just 20 days and $2 million to give us a visually haunting story. Caruso’s limited time and budget forced him to be creative in his shots, creating a suspenseful feature as we root for Jessica to save her offspring.
According to IMDB, ‘Shut In,’ is Melanie Toast’s only second writing credit. Although the dialogue sometimes feels a little choppy, you cannot fault her too much this early in her career. Hopefully, Toast has a long career ahead of her as suspense seems to be her genre.
The use of natural light for the exterior scenes and the limited musical score add the urgency of survival. The temptation to slip back into drug use for Jessica, while still seeking redemption in order to do what is best her the children.
Quelley’s portrayal of Jessica is woman attempting to stay sober while Horowitz’s Rob and Gallo’s Sam keep trying to pull her back into the darkness. Jessica is no angel and is not trying to be a saint, but is a woman taking her sobriety one day at a time. In that, we see her humanity and want her to win.
What is most unfortunate for ‘Shut In,’ is that it will not get a fair assessment from most critics or audience members. Leftist will degrade the film because Shapiro is attached to it, while Right Wingers will praise it as the greatest film of the year in order to offset their political rivals’ response.
What ‘Shut In,’ really is, is a descent suspense flick that seeks to redeem its main character as she struggles to stay clean for her kids.
‘Shut In,’ world premiere will be on YouTube this Thursday, February 10, 2022 at 9 p.m. EST before moving exclusively to The Daily Wire for their subscribers.
- Overall Score
Summary
‘Shut In,’ is a descent suspense flick that will unfortunately be overshadowed by Ben Shapiro’s attachment rather than be recognized for the quality of the film.
