Remember “The Disappointments Room?” Of course you don’t! Nobody but I and a few unfortunate souls ventured to the theaters to see it a few months ago, as it was barely promoted. The only reason I knew of its existence was because it randomly appeared in my local theater’s showtimes, my curiosity piqued to see why it was hidden. The reason being it was a shoddily crafted thriller with a lame twist, cheap jump scares, weak drama, and a waste of a strong performance by its lead, Kate Beckinsale.
The reason I’m bringing up “The Disappointments Room” is because it eerily resembles today’s film, “Shut In.” The Farren Blackburn directed film is also a shoddily crafted thriller with a lame twist, cheap jump scares, weak drama, and a waste of a strong performance by its lead, this time being Naomi Watts. It too was barely promoted, the only reason most know of its existence is its random inclusion to a theater’s showtimes. Admittedly, I have seen one trailer for this film prior to watching it, fittingly enough in front of “The Disappointments Room.” Just like that screening, it was only me a poor select few in attendance. I’m next to positive it was the same patrons, too; maybe we’re all just gluttons for punishment.
M170 Naomi Watts and Charlie Heaton star in EuropaCorp’s “SHUT IN”.
Photo Credit: Jan Thjs
©2015 EuropaCorp – Transfilm International Inc.
The thriller this time around revolves around Mary Portman (Naomi Watts), who resides in a secluded home with her family…just like “The Disappointments Room.” A recent tragedy has left her mental state in shambles, causing her to question the validity of strange occurrences…just like “The Disappointments Room.” Said strange occurrences take place throughout the house, in specific areas…just like “The Disappointments Room.” Friends and colleagues try to calm her spirits, including a random love interest acting solely to up the body count…just like “The Disappointments Room.” Am I watching the same damn film!?!
Okay, fine, there are some differences between the films. Portman is a psychologist who lost her husband in a car accident, one in which left her stepson, Stephen (Charlie Heaton), in a comatose state. Whereas in “The Disappointments Room,” Kate Beckinsale lost a child and retreated with her husband and other child to a secluded home to regroup. Apples and oranges, folks. Both women are attempting to lose themselves in their work, Mary having a tougher time than Beckinsale’s architect. She is taking care of a deaf orphan, Tom (Jacob Tremblay, who shined in “Room” and is muffled here), but to no avail. Just as he’s about to be shipped up to Boston (not accompanied by Dropkick Murphys), he goes missing.
M273 Jacob Tremblay stars in EuropaCorp’s “SHUT IN”.
Photo Credit: Jan Thijs
©2015 EuropaCorp – Transfilm International Inc.
Already in a state of despair, Mary all but loses herself over the disappearance. Tom had appeared at her home just prior to vanquishing, somehow traveling by foot in a snowstorm in fifteen-degree weather and breaking in without any trouble. As time goes by, she feels his presence throughout the house, be it the sound of scampering feet, handprints on the walls, him appearing out of the corner of her eye, and even attempting to drag her to the basement. She can’t separate what’s real and what’s a result of her parasomnia, a sleep disorder that’s also given her visions of Stephen’s demise at her hands. Her therapist, Dr. Wilson (Oliver Platt, another good actor being dragged into this mess), reassures her nothing catastrophic is happening, which of course means something actually is. It’s a good thing he rigged his Skype video call to stay on long after she’s hung up so he can see a startling incident take place in the house, allowing him to rush to her aid. Take a guess how well that turns out.
What ensues is ninety-one minutes of hackneyed direction that begs the audience to question whether Portman is insane or justified. Is the ghost of Tom haunting her for allowing him to be sent away? Is she actually lashing out at her son or is that just figments of her twisted imagination? Is Mother Nature punishing her by blanketing her Maine home with snow and ice storms? Is she actually falling for the father of a patient just six months after her husband passed which, pardon my possible ignorance, seems way too soon to be moving forward emotionally? Do I care at all? The answer to the latter is a resounding no, thus null and voiding all of the other questions!
M053 Naomi Watts stars in EuropaCorp’s “SHUT IN”.
Photo Credit: Jan Thjs
©2015 EuropaCorp – Transfilm International Inc.
Not once did I care about Portman’s plight, despite Watts’ determined performance. Her emotional turmoil felt forced, lazily written by Christina Hodson as bipolar to excuse the idiocy of the twists and turns. All of the scares employed by Blackburn are as cheap as they come, the result of a raccoon rummaging about or a nightmare serving as a copout. My suspicions that these existed solely to service the twist at the expense of the drama were confirmed. And man, is the twist pathetic!
I was caught by surprise with the twist, only because I didn’t think they’d be daft enough to go through with it. Alas, they were and did, delivering a twist so asinine it was laughable! It’s not even that original of a twist, just done in such a sloppy manner that it seems so distinguished in its ineptitude. It is so…you know what? Screw trying to be eloquent and professional! The twist is fucking stupid!
M141 Naomi Watts stars in EuropaCorp’s “SHUT IN”.
Photo Credit: Jan Thjs
©2015 EuropaCorp – Transfilm International Inc.
Just like “The Disappointments Room,” “Shut In” is a slog to get through. Some will excuse its numerous downfalls in favor of the slick-looking production, chalking it up to nothing more than a ho-hum thriller. For me, the fact that it’s so rehashed and familiar makes me hate it, as it makes the entire proceedings feel pointless. Why watch this film when I’ve seen others in its field dish up the same tropes to better effect? Everything that occurs in this film happens solely because it worked in other thrillers, so it must work here by proxy. What a foolish thought process! There may be other films I’ve given worse ratings to (such as “Freddy Got Fingered” and “The Human Centipede”), but at least their failings were sprightly and unique! The failings of “Shut In,” just like “The Disappointments Room,” come in the form of recyclable drivel!
I need to stop comparing this film to “The Disappointments Room.” Yes, both films are strikingly similar and equally terrible! But, by giving them both this much attention, I’m giving them power. I’m also letting “Shut In” off the hook slightly, putting more blame on the other film and not enough on this one. I should be stating how Blackburn’s film nearly put me to sleep, a first for me in a theater. That includes staying awake for twenty-four hours a few weeks ago for Exhumed Films’ Horrorthon at the International House Philadelphia, so that’s no small feat. That is an isolated complaint all to “Shut In.”
M015 Naomi Watts stars in EuropaCorp’s “SHUT IN”.
Photo Credit: Jan Thjs
©2015 EuropaCorp – Transfilm International Inc.
After watching…nay, surviving, “Shut In,” I now realize why this sat on the shelf for so long…just like “The Disappointments Room.” Oh, for the love of God!
Final Rating: D-