The Last Bastion

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Prisoners (2013)

Written by Tyler Clark

Today we’re discussing one of the last great Hollywood thrillers, a box office anomaly starring some of our biggest and most compelling performers today. Let’s take a look at the last gasp of one of Hollywood’s finest genres and the turning point for one of our most important auteurs.

The Last Bastion

Prisoners stands out as one of the last surprise box office hits and much of its success is because of its star-studded cast and gripping drama. Despite its dark and unsettling storyline, the film's success can be attributed to the powerhouse performances of Hugh Jackman at the height of his X-Men fame, Jake Gyllenhaal coming off of End of Watch (a similarly inexplicable hit), and Viola Davis just post-Oscar Nom. In an era dominated by superhero flicks and CGI-laden spectacles, Prisoners (starring many of those superheroes) reminded audiences of the enduring power of character-driven narratives.

What sets Prisoners apart is its ability to immerse viewers in a deeply upsetting world while keeping them emotionally invested in the characters' struggles. The film's exploration of themes like justice, revenge, and the nature of evil pulls the audience in, and Jackman's portrayal of a desperate father consumed by grief and rage, juxtaposed with Gyllenhaal's nuanced yet somehow equally big performance as a relentless detective, created a cinematic experience that lingered long after the credits rolled, perfectly landing with crowds till its final moments.

Denis’ Switch Up

Prisoners (along with Enemy that same year) marks a significant moment in Denis Villeneuve's career, serving as his last foray into small, intimate filmmaking before venturing into larger-scale projects like Sicario, Arrival, and Blade Runner 2049. While Prisoners showcased Villeneuve's knack for crafting tense and atmospheric thrillers, it also hinted at the director's potential to tackle more ambitious narratives.

With Prisoners, Villeneuve masterfully balanced suspense with emotional depth, drawing viewers into a morally complex world where lines between right and wrong blur. His meticulous attention to detail and skillful direction elevated the film beyond typical genre fare, setting the stage for his subsequent rise as one of our most well known filmmakers.

In retrospect, Prisoners serves as a testament to Villeneuve's versatility and foresight. While the film remains a standout in his filmography, it also represents a last gasp in cinema, bridging the gap between character-driven dramas and the blockbuster spectacles that dominate contemporary Hollywood. While it looks like this is all from a bygone era, there is hope, friends, with the recent success of films like Knock at the Cabin, The Iron Claw, and of course the sensation that was Oppenheimer shows there is a future for these weighty star driven projects.

Violent content ahead, Viewer discretion advised:

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