In David Yarovesky’s psychological thriller “Locked,” a small-time thief named Eddie, played by Bill Skarsgård, finds himself in a dangerous predicament after getting trapped inside a luxury SUV. He initially enters the vehicle with the intention of stealing items he can sell for quick cash and to pick up his daughter from school. However, he soon discovers that the car’s owner, William, portrayed by Anthony Hopkins, is closely monitoring him and intends to teach him a lesson. As the story unfolds, it becomes evident that William is trying to convey a significant message about society and the detrimental impact of petty crime. Through their conversations, Eddie realizes he is heading toward a grim fate, forcing him to confront not only the man behind the voice but also the uncomfortable truths he has been avoiding. When Eddie finally confronts William, he learns that the car owner seeks more than just revenge; he aims to illustrate a point, with Eddie serving as the example. Spoilers ahead.
Locked Plot Synopsis
“Locked” opens with a young man named Eddie who is trying to retrieve his van from a mechanic, but he lacks the necessary funds. The mechanic informs him that he can only get his vehicle back once he pays. Meanwhile, Eddie is receiving calls from his daughter, Sarah, asking if he can pick her up from school. In a desperate attempt to resolve his situation, he reaches out to others for financial help, but each time he mentions money, the calls end abruptly. Frustrated, he resorts to stealing from parked cars. Shortly after, he spots a high-end SUV called DOLUS in a parking lot. To his surprise, the vehicle is unlocked, and he climbs inside, hoping to find something valuable.
As Eddie searches the car and finds nothing of worth, he decides to leave, only to discover that he is now locked inside. He struggles to escape, injuring his arm in the process. While attempting to break free, he receives a call through the car’s entertainment system. After declining the call multiple times, he finally answers, only to find that the caller, William, the car’s owner, is aware of Eddie’s break-in and is watching him via hidden cameras. William wants to discuss Eddie’s intentions, revealing that six others have tried to steal the vehicle before him. Frustrated, Eddie pulls out a gun and shoots at the window, but the bullet bounces back and hits his leg. William then informs him that the car is bulletproof, soundproof, and equipped with tasers, which he uses to punish Eddie whenever he displeases him.
As their conversation unfolds, William expresses his disdain for people like Eddie, whom he considers scum. He begins to share details about himself, revealing that he is a wealthy doctor. However, Eddie loses consciousness due to his bleeding leg, and when he wakes up, he finds that his injuries have been treated. The next day, William calls again, this time discussing his daughter, Emma. When Eddie curses in response, William retaliates with electric shocks, loud music, and cold air, forcing Eddie to apologize and plead for mercy so he can be with his daughter. William, however, refuses to release him, arguing that criminals like Eddie are ruining the peace.
As Eddie’s night spirals further into chaos, William finally reveals himself. His presence is intimidating, and he makes it clear that he has no plans to let Eddie leave alive. He seems driven by a personal mission rather than a desire for negotiation, making Eddie feel trapped not just in the car, but within someone else’s warped sense of justice.
Why is William Trying to Kill Eddie?
At the start of the film, it appears that William wants to teach Eddie a lesson for attempting to steal his SUV. He traps Eddie inside the vehicle and begins discussing his life. However, as the story unfolds, it becomes evident that William is a troubled old man seeking justice for a personal tragedy. Initially, he shares memories of his daughter, Emma, and their trips to her favorite mall, but Eddie interrupts him, expressing a desire to leave. William continues to torment him, only mentioning Emma again towards the end of the film. While driving Eddie to an undisclosed location, William reveals the events that led to his quest for justice.
Eddie attempts to provoke William by bringing up his daughter and asking about the bracelet he wears, inquiring about what happened to Emma. Although William is reluctant to discuss it, Eddie’s persistent questioning eventually wears him down. He discloses that he and Emma were robbed at gunpoint by thieves who tragically shot her in the neck. Following her death, William took justice into his own hands, seeking revenge against criminals. He frequently expresses his belief that thieves should die, arguing that the legal system is inadequate and that many criminals return to the streets after serving minimal sentences. It seems he designed his luxury SUV as a trap to lure and eliminate them one by one.
William mentions that six others attempted to steal his car before Eddie, and it becomes apparent that none were arrested. This suggests that he may have killed those previous thieves as well. For William, the justice system failed him the day he lost his daughter, as her killers likely faced no consequences. He views legal punishment as ineffective, so he has created his own system of justice, where guilt leads to a death sentence. While others might see him as mentally unstable, he believes he is protecting others from experiencing the same pain he endured.
How Does Eddie Survive the Trap?
When Eddie gets into DOLUS, he plans to grab a few items to make some quick cash. However, his situation quickly changes when he realizes he is trapped inside the vehicle. At first, he suspects that the car has a security feature that detects non-owners inside. But as he struggles to escape, he understands he has fallen victim to a malicious scheme. His predicament worsens when William confronts him about his actions, insisting he must face the consequences. Eddie catches a glimpse of a man in the rear-view mirror, who is calling from a nearby condo and apologizing for his language. William tells Eddie that the only way out is to prove this is his first offense.
William requests Eddie’s full name and social security number. Eddie initially resists but eventually shares his information when William offers to get him some water. Later, Eddie expresses remorse for attempting to steal the car and becomes emotional while reflecting on his choices. Although William shows no sympathy, he rewards Eddie with a cookie for his honesty. When Eddie opens the glovebox for the cookie, he discovers the car’s safety switch and attempts to press it as William ends the call. However, William notices Eddie’s unusual behavior and prevents him from escaping. As time drags on, Eddie begins to lose his sanity and even resorts to drinking his own urine to survive.
As night falls, Eddie repeatedly presses the car’s Start button and, to his surprise, manages to start the engine and drive. However, his relief is short-lived when William calls and takes control of the vehicle remotely. William drives Eddie to various locations before stopping in a secluded area next to his own car. He exits his vehicle, enters DOLUS, and places a bag in the back seat. William instructs Eddie to zip-tie himself to the seat’s bar. He then drives off to an unknown destination, ominously informing Eddie that his time is running out. This marks a critical moment, with Eddie’s death seeming inevitable. Yet, Eddie frustrates William by discussing his daughter and their situation.
William mocks Eddie for not being clever enough to escape, but Eddie remains calm and manages to break the safety box with his feet. The car then veers off the road and tumbles into a ditch. Despite the vehicle catching fire, Eddie uses tools from William’s bag to escape just in time. Before the chaos, he had sent a message to his daughter expressing his love for her. When the message finally goes through, Sarah calls, asking if he is okay and if he will pick her up from school. In the end, Eddie escapes and reunites with his daughter, while William dies before he can intervene.
Hearing Sarah’s voice gives Eddie a renewed sense of purpose. He realizes that she is the most important person in his life, and he must take responsibility for his actions, as they directly impact her. This call feels like an anchor, grounding him to what truly matters. For the first time in a long while, Eddie feels motivated to become a better person, not for himself, but for her.
Does William Kill Sarah?
William escalates his twisted game by taking control of the car and speeding through the city with Eddie, eventually stopping at the top of a parking garage. The next day, Eddie finds himself in a moving car with William speaking through the speakers. The doctor reveals that he visited Eddie’s apartment and met his family, including his daughter, pretending to be a representative from a charity aimed at helping single mothers collect support from fathers. Although Eddie doubts him, the car pulls up in front of Sarah’s school. They see her leaving and riding home on her scooter, and the car starts to follow her. In a moment of desperation, Eddie pulls out a gun and aims it at himself, indicating he would sacrifice himself for his daughter.
Eddie attempts to stop William, but when he fails, he pulls the trigger, only to discover the gun is empty. He recklessly pursues Sarah, causing her to fall off her scooter and putting her life at risk. He only halts when Eddie pulls the trigger again. At this point, William taunts Eddie, calling him a pathetic father for being two years behind on child support and revealing that he used his position to gather information about him. Eddie’s desperate act is the only thing that momentarily halts William’s relentless chase. Though Sarah is safe, the experience deeply traumatizes Eddie. This incident highlights William’s complete moral decay; he is not seeking justice but is instead consumed by his madness. He shows no hesitation in endangering an innocent child’s life. In his attempt to teach a lesson, he has transformed into a monster, which raises questions about his own morality.
Who Else Does William Kill?
Although Eddie manages to escape the car, two individuals lose their lives as William seeks his version of justice. The deaths of these unnamed men highlight William’s deep-seated anger towards criminals. As he takes remote control of the car and drives through the city, he explains to Eddie the distinction between good and bad. He first points out the homeless, whom he blames for many of the world’s problems. Then, he contrasts this by showing a wealthy neighborhood, noting that the residents require security gates because they live in fear.
William accelerates the car and stops in front of an alley where two individuals are attacking someone. Convinced that these assailants feel no fear of consequences, he decides to intervene. He crashes the car into one of the attackers, killing him instantly. The car then pursues the second attacker, and William deliberately injures him without killing him, telling Eddie that he can leave the car if the mugger can get back on his feet. Just as the criminal attempts to rise, William runs him over, shattering any hope Eddie had. By killing these two muggers, William demonstrates that his brutality has no limits, treating murder as a game. He shows no remorse in taking a life and does so without hesitation. While he may justify his actions as justice, it reveals his desire for control over those who commit crimes. Eddie comes to understand that he is confronting someone who operates far beyond rationality.
