"Prisoners," boasting a remarkable cast including Hugh Jackman, Viola Davis, Jake Gyllenhaal, Terrence Howard, Maria Bello, and Paul Dano, is a superbly crafted, inherently bleak thriller by Denis Villeneuve with superlative performances. Hugh Jackman, as Keller Dover, steals the show and then some, demonstrating that there is no line he will not cross to get his child back. The morality dissipates in this thriller, which is equal parts gut-wrenching, depressing, chilling, and riveting. While kidnapping dramas and thrillers are not a novel concept, Villeneuve's assured hand and technical craftsmanship ensure that "Prisoners" becomes one of the best in the genre. It's greatly atmospheric, with a pervasive sense of unease throughout; even in its slow moments, the movie doesn't let you relax. Also, here, your heroes become anti-villains or downright villains, giving this thriller an added edge due to its moral ambiguity. Paul Dano is excellent as the suspect, and the scenes between his character and Jackman's are a brutal, engrossing watch. Jake Gyllenhaal is as solid as ever in his role as the cop assigned to find the missing children.
With "Prisoners," here is another proof that Denis Villeneuve is one of the best directors going around.
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