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The Daily Tar Heel
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Movie Review: Prisoners

Prisoners
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Everyone knows about the Amber Alert, but you don’t really think about the emotional ramifications of a lost child until it happens to you.

However, you’ll know what it’s like after watching “Prisoners.” This haunting and unstoppable tour de force about every parent’s worst nightmare will kidnap and never release you.

The film starts on Thanksgiving Day, with a family dinner between the Dovers and the Birchs. The two youngest daughters, Anna Dover (Erin Gerasimovich) and Joy Birch (Kyla Drew Simmons), are bursting with energy as they scamper around the house.

After the girls innocently head out to find a toy at Anna’s house, they vanish. Gone. Without a trace.

The initial stages of panic settle in on the parents as Detective Loki (Jake Gyllenhaal) steps on the scene.

The only evidence leading to the girls is the RV that was parked on their street and its driver, Alex Jones (Paul Dano). But when that lead dies, Alex is released into the custody of his aunt (Melissa Leo).

From then on, Anna’s father Keller (Hugh Jackman) takes matters into his own hands, literally, in a desperate attempt to find his daughter. But don’t think this is “Taken,” where the rogue dad always has the upper hand.

This film’s plot and characters are deliciously layered — when you think you’ve got it all figured out, another layer is peeled back.

Both Jackman and Gyllenhaal give remarkable and career-defining performances.

With every second that passes with his daughter still missing, Keller’s torment deepens but his determination never wavers. The complex and steely-resolved Detective Loki is relentless in his pursuit to find the girls.

This film is soaked in chilling uncertainty and puzzling intricacy that is honest and real. “Prisoners” is a terrifying, torturous and exhilarating ride that will keep your hands gripped on the seat and your mouth gaping until the very end.

Avery Thompson

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