Detained is a psychological thriller directed by Felipe Mucci from a script he co-wrote with Jeremy Palmer. The filmmakers provide the audience with the story of a woman, Rebecca (Abbie Cornish, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, “Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan” TV series), who starts out an evening by changing plans at the last minute. She stops at the local bar she frequents. Unfortunately, this change of plan leads to unexpected people and places. With little to no information, she finds herself in cuffs when she comes to. Rebecca is an intelligent woman as she is seen seated, answering questions, but also assessing her surroundings and the people who claim to be law enforcement officers. I found this to be a very interesting premise, maybe not 100 percent new, but very engaging as Rebecca deems the characters to be other than who they are. Rebecca can also be quite the chameleon herself and no one anticipates it. Cornish’s performance is what makes this film stand out. The scenes with her and Detective Avery (Laz Alonso, “The Boys” TV series) are superb as they try to outwit each other.
SYNOPSIS: In the dead of night, Rebecca (Cornish) wakes in a decrepit precinct, accused of a hit-and-run. But a deadly scuffle reveals a sinister plot. With nowhere to turn, she must uncover the truth before it consumes her. But Rebecca harbors secrets darker than they know.
Detective Avery (Alonso) and Moon (Moon Bloodgood) tell her what they want her to know and the resulting consequences that led to her being held. They provide an attorney (played by Justin H. Min) who Rebecca immediately sniffs out as someone who may not have finished law school. There is enough that Rebecca begins to wonder if this questioning is them fishing about another case.
Avery seems to be quite large and in charge in front of Rebecca, but more so with the other characters. He rules the multiple characters waiting in the wings to place pressure on her to admit to things. Rebecca stays strong. Detained has plenty of suspense, as each takes a turn with Rebecca, but she doesn’t break and that is a surprise to each one who tries.
Rebecca is smart and knows how to read each person and make things work to her advantage, but I can’t say more without leading to spoilers. It is a delight to see how Rebecca faces each challenge. Discussing money seems to be a key point of what makes some individuals tick.
For anyone who is not prepared to watch this situation get darker for Rebecca and others, there must be a warning that Team Avery does not play well with others. They don’t all survive the wrath of Detective Avery who displays little sentimentality for anyone of any age.
Cast: also stars John Patrick Amedori, Josefine Lindegaard, Breeda Wool, Silas Weir Mitchell, and Bernardo de Paula.
The film will open in select theaters and available on VOD on Friday, August 2nd.
Source: Quiver Distribution
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