Confine is probably the most appropriate title to describe recent release from director Tobias Tobbell; a simple yet effective crime thriller set entirely in the London apartment of housebound victim Pippa, played by model turned actress Daisy Lowe.
As a fitting summary, Confine successfully places the viewer into the uneasy and tense prison that Pippa’s apartment becomes after the break in of fickle sociopath Kayleigh (Eliza Bennett). Although this is advertised as Lowe’s feature debut, it is perhaps Bennett’s performance that steals the show as her character unsettlingly flits from soppy girlfriend of Henry (Alfie Allen) and small-time thief, to an unstable psychopath, at times spouting rants in German and French.
While the plot progresses, we learn more of Pippa’s backstory, uncovering her isolative life after a dramatic car crash. A premiere for Lowe it is a convincing portrayal, particularly as she had the challenge of playing her own twin, a character radically different to Pippa’s. And while the situation gets out of Kayleigh’s hands, the simple storyline and decent acting are what pays off. Tobbell was clever here to keep the filming trapped within the walls, never once leaving the house. Although he himself states that the film wasn’t “as good as buried or cube,” it seems he is mistaken. As a viewer the movie perfectly creates that claustrophobic atmosphere and manages to maintain the feeling throughout.
Though the twists and turns that the story roles with could be described as, at times, a little dramatic and jagged, the subdued and tasteful acting carry them through slickly. Alongside this is Tobbell’s cinematic style that shows through his talents as a director. His camera work is smooth, sweeping and theatrical taking influence from directors such as David Flincher and Christopher Nolan.The plot progression is made much more entertaining by the use of interesting focuses of both characters and objects.
For any director setting an entire story in the location of one apartment and centering a majority on four on screen actors can be a hit or miss prospect. But here Tobbell has succeeded in keeping it refined and most of all distinctive. A tense and thrilling watch, Confine is a film that will leave you either running to the exit or reaching for the lock. Depends which way you look at it.
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