Locked (2025) is an intense psychological thriller that contains a character-driven plot and strong performances from two solid actors. Although the film was unable to make an unforgettable memory in the audience’s minds, it was a true battle of the wills.
Bill Skarsgard Anthony Hopkins Locked thriller is the perfect duo matchup with a unique approach to the story despite a remake. It’s not about two lead actors- it’s two generations apart who brought their own dynamics together, giving us a wild on-screen presence.
One is the legacy, and the other is a rising force
Anthony Hopkins is considered a living legend of psychological drama. We need not give an example of The Silence of the Lambs (1991) here, which was a celebration of his acting for the complex human psyche. It won him a well-deserved Academy Award, marking his glorious place in cinematic history.
Other than that, he has delved into numerous other roles that showed the depth of human emotions and versatility. Whether it is a reserved butler in The Remains of the Day (1993) or a dementia-stricken father in The Father (2021), his range and acting skills are exceptional.
Bill Skarsgård, on the other hand, is the modern master of intensity and mystery. Nosferatu (2024) is the most recent example of his widespread recognition and critical acclaim that he received at such a young age. He is brave enough to take any role that comes his way, making him a chameleon-like performer.
He is modern cinema’s most versatile actor, who not only challenges himself but also challenges the audience’s expectations. Besides playing Count Orlok in Nosferatu, he was magnificent as Pennywise in It films (2017 and 2019), delivered mind-blowing performances in Barbarian (2022), John Wick: Chapter 4 (2023), and Locked, of course.
Watch this exclusive clip from Locked (2025) to witness their performances:
Casting chemistry: Why these two work together so well
Bill Skarsgard and Anthony Hopkins have not worked together before Locked (2025), but their casting chemistry was well-thought-out. They both could be considered the opposites that electrify- one is calm and equally intimidating, while the other is full of chaos.
Performance analysis in the Bill Skarsgard Anthony Hopkins Locked thriller
Bill Skarsgard is known for his transformative performances, mostly in the horror genre, while Anthony Hopkins is seen portraying intricate personalities with deeper reflections of the human psyche, mostly in dramas. They both have distinct styles and approaches to their respective crafts.
Getting them both on board for Locked casting was like putting their strengths at high stakes, appearing to be a cat-and-mouse scenario, which it truly was in Locked. Eddie (Bill Skarsgard) is desperate to pay his bills for which he plans to steal a car. Williams (Anthony Hopkins) does not think it is a good idea.
Williams has got a lavish SUV with all the features to trap Eddie forever, or even kill him. Williams makes sure that Eddie is taught a lesson, and that too, a serious one. Only with his voice acting in most part of the film, Anthony Hopkins remains calm and knows how and where to take control.
We see Eddie moving here and there haphazardly, trying his best to get out of the car. He is helpless and frustrated due to his growing fear of cutting-edge technology. His physical and emotional intensity is vividly clear due to the psychological torment that Williams had imposed on him.
Even while staying composed, Hopkins pushed Skarsgard’s Eddie to the edge, causing an unsettling appeal to the film, insisting on the fact that Skarsgard’s Eddie was erratic, a blockhead, and a victim. This shows one thing these two have in common- complexity and subtlety.
Character contrast in ‘Locked’: A thriller’s dream pairing
Hopkins has control over his actions, as seen in Locked. His moves are well-calculated, while Eddie is spontaneous. We know he is a desperate father trying to get back to his daughter, but a mix of fear and growing sense of defiance built a capricious intensity in his character.
Skarsgard displayed Eddie as vulnerable, and Hopkins showed Williams as an enigmatic villain who is terrifyingly manipulative. Their on-screen dynamic fuels suspense plainly from the body language of one and the vocal tone of the other.
A director’s dream duo: Precision meets unpredictability
If we have a closer look at the acting graph of Bill Skarsgard as Eddie in Locked, we notice his initial vulnerability that grows intense (showing fear and frustration), shifts focus to his internal struggles, and features the psychological toll of his captivity, trying to grapple with his isolation in the car.
Should we assume that his character was unpredictable? If so, Hopkins’ devious and contrived performance as Williams could be called precision?
Hence, we felt no need for special effects to experience the ‘performance’ that generated tension you can’t cut. His resilience against captivity wasn’t as easy as it looked.
According to Movie Web, Bill Skarsgard said that it was torture while shooting for Locked. He explained,
“This was a very solitary experience for me…I remember in the scene where Anthony’s character dials up the cold in the car, and it’s supposed to get freezing…So when I’m pretending to freeze, I’m covered in layers of clothes, and I’m actually sweating…It was real acting gymnastics.” [Source]
How has the early reception been for the Bill Skarsgard Anthony Hopkins Locked thriller?
What audiences expected from Locked and how it turned out is a contrast in itself. The trailer showed a tense, claustrophobic thriller with a man trapped in a luxury SUV. Seeing two big actors created a hype that audiences expected to be fulfilled.
However, with a lack of depth in the story, the plot was too predictable. Locked is a remake of 2019’s Argentinian thriller titled 4×4. Great reliance on cliches and failure to expose the themes more exhaustively was something that the film was mostly criticized for.
Despite explosive dialogues and intense psychological warfare, the two unbeatable actors were deemed wasted. Poor execution of the feature resulted in disappointing characters.
Wrapping up…
Locked (2025) is a thriller that relies on acting and not just action. The film had all the right ingredients with two powerhouses of acting to become one of the year’s best psychological thrillers.
Both brought their gripping yet contrasting and complementary performances to the table. The tension and energy built were impossible to ignore. However, the film still did not work at the box office.
It can be taken as an example that despite a film’s flaws, impeccable acting from one classic and another contemporary performer could be a fascinating watch. It still has the capacity to lock the viewers into their seats.
Think the Bill Skarsgard Anthony Hopkins Locked thriller lived up to the hype — or fell short? Join the conversation below and let your opinion be heard!
Passionate Entertainment Writer | Trusted Pop Culture Voice
Madiha Ali is an experienced entertainment writer with over five years of expertise in covering movies, TV shows, celebrity news, and pop culture. Her bylines appear on trusted platforms like High on Films, Ary News, The Express Tribune, Tea and Banter, Show Snob, CelebFeedz, Snapfeedz, Daily Planet Media, The Irish Insider, and Movie Insiderz.
She brings a personal, insightful approach to every story—whether she’s analyzing the emotional layers of a film or giving her take on trending celebrity headlines. Madiha’s writing style is known for being authentic, well-researched, and reader-focused.
When she’s not writing, she’s fully immersed in the world of entertainment—watching new releases, revisiting classics, exploring behind-the-scenes content, or reading books that fuel her creativity. Her passion for storytelling drives her work and helps her stay connected to what matters most in the industry.
Madiha believes great stories start conversations, challenge perspectives, and stay with us long after the credits roll. Through her writing, she continues to share those stories with clarity, depth, and heart.
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