On the eve of the biggest project of his career, construction manager Ivan Locke (Tom Hardy) gets news that changes everything. As he leaves the construction site and begins the long drive from Birmingham to London, he spends the journey making a series of emotional phone calls to his wife, his child, his colleagues, and others connected to his story. During these conversations he is forced to reveal a personal secret he has been carrying for some time, one that threatens not only his family, but also his professional future. A slightly polarising release with strong writing and a strong acting performance.

Director: Steven Knight
Writers: Steven Knight
Starring: Tom Hardy, Olivia Colman, Ruth Wilson, Andrew Scott, Tom Holland

Written and directed by Steven Knight, Locke is a picture that audiences will either come to appreciate for its bold simplicity, or quickly move on from. The uniqueness of the movie lies in the fact that nearly the entire story takes place within the confines of a single vehicle – a BMW, to be exact – all in real time. Interestingly, it’s worth noting that the flick was shot over just eight consecutive nights, with Tom Hardy himself driving behind the wheel during much of the filming, while multiple cameras carefully captured every angle of the action.

A couple of standout strengths of Locke would have to be the story and dialogue on display. There are no big action sequences, flashy effects, or sprawling cinematography within the modest eighty-five minute runtime. Instead, the flick relies on clever and intelligent dialogue, aswell as key decisions from certain characters that have to be made, with the choices unfolding in real time. The dialogue heavy approach ensures the film rarely feels dull, managing to keep the attention of the audience from the first minute until the last.

Another aspect of Locke worth highlighting is the overall atmosphere and mood that the filmmakers manage to convey. The story unfolds late one evening, with much of the driving taking place on the, at times, hypnotic dimly-lit British motorway. It would be incredibly easy to fumble a movie of this nature with poor camera work, weak lighting, or characterless effects, but Locke avoids those pitfalls. Instead, the flick manages to capture a moody, almost meditative visual style that boasts tension and keeps the experience cinematic.

In terms of the cast, Tom Hardy adopts the role of Ivan Locke, sporting a Welsh accent and commanding almost the entire eighty-five minute screentime. Elsewhere, none of the supporting cast actually appear on our screens, but their voices are heard – these voices include those of Olivia Colman, Ruth Wilson, Andrew Scott and a young Tom Holland.

Overall, Locke is a film I first watched upon its release over ten years ago, and having revisited it more recently, I can safely say it’s one that manages to stay with me. It’s not the most entertaining, fast-paced, or action-packed, but it carries a solid story and dialogue-heavy approach that keeps you invested. Even after a couple of rewatches throughout the years, it continues to hold up in 2025, proving that sometimes the simplest concepts can leave the strongest impression. Certainly worth of a watch.

“I want to know that I’m not driving in one direction.”

Ivan Locke – Locke