Chained
| release date | October 2 2012 |
| studio | Anchor Bay Films |
| director | Jennifer Lynch |
| writer | Damian O'Donnell |
| starring | Vincent D'Onofrio, Julia Ormond, Jake Weber, Eamon Farren, Conor Leslie, Evan Bird |
| rating | R |
| trailer 1 | Trailer #1 |
| trailer 2 | Trailer #2 |
13 Comments
Chained started out interesting. D’onofrio’s character was too much like Lenny from Of Mice and Men. As you watch the movie progress, you know that it can only end in one of two ways. The twist at the end is ridiculous. Overall, the movie is neither good nor bad, it’s just ok.
Chained is a big achievement from Jennifer Lynch. What she did in Surveillance, with the twisty semi complex storytelling, she did the opposite here. This is a simple story told in a simple way, it is highly atmospheric from the gritty interiors and dusty exteriors and the haunting score. D’onofrio embodies a truly scary character, one we slowly learn about and begin to fear more and more. If it wasn’t for a useless twist near the end, one that happens so fast it’s serves no purpose before or after its reveal, I would give this 5 stars. I oneself can’t wait to see where Lynch goes next.
This is a good movie not as good as sling blade but more toward that genre of a suspenseful thriller, Vince does an amazing job as a serial killer.. It really gives you a imagining behind a serial killer unlike Leslie Vernon (lame).. This movie was all and all a good movie just really kinda boring not enough suspense that’s why I gave it 3 skulls if this movie didn’t have such a great actor like Vince then this movie would have been a shit heap
Comment
Bob, a cab-driving serial killer who stalks his prey on the city streets alongside his reluctant protégé Tim, who must make a life or death choice between following in Bob’s footsteps or breaking free from his captor.
Be prepared, this film is not for the faint of heart or the more sensitive viewers. Chained is the most unsettling film of 2012 that grips you by the throat and doesn’t let go, as well as a kick in the stomach. Dread consumes this twisted, dark and provocative crime/thriller. In the vein of Henry: Portrait Of A Serial Killer, this film takes you inside the mind of a ruthless killer, the character study is a very disturbing, heart shattering and shocking. Filled with depravity!
The performances were powerfully tense and keeps you glued to the screen and on the edge of you seat. Vincent D’Onofrio, who you may know from Law & Order, plays Bob, a serial killer cab driver and gives one hell of a chilling performance. You feel horrible for but hate him at the same time, a killer that’s a product of his environment. Eamon Farren plays older Rabbit, which is the name Bob gives to him after he abducts him and his mom when he was a young child. Now he is chained to a wall with no way out, but to only buddy up with his captor enough to be freed from the chains. Eamon gives a captivating performance and you root for him to escape the horrors and at one point having you shout at the screen to fight back and get revenge. Harrowing film!
Director, Jennifer Chambers Lynch who directed the equally startling film Surveillance, has crafted yet another distressing, graphic and wicked film. The rawness of her films is now very much signature to me, she always has a way of getting under your skin, keeps you in suspense and hits you hard with a shocking conclusion. Her film will make you think twice about calling for a cab! Very much interested to see what she throws at us next, I won’t be surprised if it leaves me in the fetal position, shaken out of my mind. She is that good!
Overall, this film is definitely not for everyone as it’s blood curdling, but the performances are some of the best of 2012 from this twisted genre. The story will keep you in cold sweat, wondering and guessing if poor Rabbit will make it out ok and has one hell of a shocking ending that will leave you breathless. A tough watch, but worth it! 7 out of 10.
The daughter of David Lynch directed Chained (2012).I watched this film very late and just managed to get to sleep afterwards, only just. Stanley Kubrick’s ‘Full Metal Jacket’ (1987) included the actor Vincent D’Onofrio who gained weight to play the character Leonard ‘Gomer Pyle’ Lawrence, in this production Chained Vincent plays Bob. Vincent D’Onofrio is absolutely amazing in this mentally and emotionally distressing film. One of the best films about isolation is the timeless The Shining and the best film demonstrating claustrophobia is Buried. Chained is the best film you’ll tolerate about captivity closely followed by the clever 5150 Elm’s Way.
The more difficult acting role in Chained is played by Eamon Farren, his vulnerability reminded me of Thomas Jerome Newton played by David Bowie in ‘The Man Who Fell to Earth’ (1976). Eamon is an excellent actor and with Vincent D’Onofrio involved, it’s clear tremendous thought and care went into the casting. I recognized British actress Julia Ormond playing the mother, you may remember her as the love interest in ‘Legends of The Fall’ (1994).
Director Jennifer Lynch co wrote the screenplay for Chained with Damien O’Donnell who used to work as a sports administrator and now writes within the film industry. Chained draws on an unbearable to watch concept, a situation which reminded me of some horrific news stories that I watched and read about in disbelief.
Online chat-room abduction is chillingly demonstrated in Megan is Missing and during the first quarter of Chained you are served an example of an abduction that is so sudden and terrifying because it could happen to you if your at the wrong place at the wrong time. The script is the best I’ve heard in a while, there is no other film I’ve seen like this and be warned you need to be made of a certain type of metal to get through it, especially if you’re a parent because this filmed experience will be worse for you than anyone else.
I was initially disappointed with the last 15 minutes because it felt rushed, like it was added on by someone else. However, after a couple of days I managed to forgive because 90% of the film works, providing a story that pulls you along an uncomfortable, insane and actually sad journey. You’ll be so involved with what’s happening on-screen you’ll want to jump into the film to assist the vulnerable characters, it’s mentally agonizing and intense. During this dark experience I thought Chained could actually work as a stage play.
Chained (2012) is exceptional work displaying the talents of all involved, telling a story that will find a slot in your memory and will stay there until you die.
bleedingcritic TM
@bleedingfilms