Prisoners (2013)

Cast includes:
CHARACTER	ACTOR/ACTRESS	RATING
Keller Dover	Hugh Jackman	½
Detective Loki	Jake Gyllenhaal
Nancy Birch	Viola Davis
Grace Dover	Maria Bello
Franklin Birch	Terrence Howard	½
Holly Jones	Melissa Leo	½
Alex Jones	Paul Dano	½
Mr. Jones	Dennis Christopher	-
Ralph Dover	Dylan Minnette	-
Officer Carter	Brad James	-
Eliza Birch	Zoë Soul	-
Erin Gerasimovich	Anna Dover	-
Captain Richard O'Malley	Wayne Duvall	-

Review

In this part ghost story, part delve into the ugliest depths of human behaviour, two couples (played by Hugh Jackman/Maria Bello and Terrence Howard/Viola David) must deal with the disappearance of their respective daughters, Anna and Joy. Jake Gyllenhaal is the detective assigned to the case, which turns out to be multifaceted, complex and perhaps even grotesque. Director Denis Villeneuve (Enemy, Arrival) creates a harrowing, nail-biting atmosphere right from the outset, and he is helped by devoted performances by an ensemble of acting talent. One can really feel Hugh Jackman's aggression, Viola Davis' frustration and Jake Gyllenhaal's ambivalence as the hours turn into days and the search for the two girls seems to have reached a stalemate. The main dilemma Aaron Guzikowski's script poses, which shall remain unreferred here, is what makes the film such a harrowing experience both for your senses and your sensibilities. The film's greatest merit is the complexity of the ethical question it raises, even if the framework used to do so ultimately cannot avoid feeling a little contrived and sensationalistic. The often unsung Paul Dano (There Will Be Blood, 12 Years a Slave) is remarkable in his role as Alex Jones.