PANIC ROOM (2002)

Directed By: David Fincher 
Written By: David Koep 
Cinematography: Conrad W. Hall & Darius Khondji
Editor: James Haygood & Angus Wall 


Cast: Jodie Foster, Kristen Stewart, Forest Whitaker, Jared Leto, Dwight Yoakam, Patrick Bauchau, Ann Magnuson, Paul Schulze, Mel Rodriguez, Ian Buchanan 


Recently divorced Meg Altman and her daughter Sarah have bought a new home in New York. On their tour around the mansion, they come across the panic room. A room so secure, that no one can get in. When three burglars break in, Meg makes a move to the panic room. But all her troubles don't stop there. The criminals know where she is, and what they require the most in the house is in that very room.


This film is incredibly rich in style and technical design. It feels cold, smooth and modern like most films by director David Fincher.

Which might be my problem with the film. As it feels more like a technical experiment. Where much more attention is paid on design then the characters or plot. As the plot or what the story revolves around is all in the title. So it Almost feels like a gimmick to just utilize the panic room. Like a 1950’s potboiler.

Luckily in the hands of David Fincher it feels like more. It definitely feels stronger and darker then originally thought. It also feels a bit more engaging.

The film is immensely enjoyable. You will find yourself more interested overall by the film’s direction and style but also the villains. Who we get glimpses of them and their pasts that have brought them there slowly and who they are as people or at least how they present themselves. The spoiled brat who put the plan into effect. The down on his luck locksmith. Who proves to be the more crafty and scary of them all because he constantly switched emotions, actions, loyalty and moral. A decent nice guy one minute, bloodthirsty and in charge the next. So that you can never guess what he will do at times. The last one burglar Raoul is the most mysterious and the totally dangerous out and out villain. Who you know what to expect from.

It’s a nice change of pace that The movie deals with a lead female character abandoned by her husband in this new huge house that is practically abandoned. As she is Just moving in. Defending herself and her daughter against these men and hides in the exact spot they need to. Caught in a delicate situation. Jodie foster’s character shows her survival skills along the way becoming a stronger person. Where as this movie is Obviously thought of as what is this little lady going to do. And proving to be quite the challenge and never using her sexuality. She also never has to be saved by any male character to survive.

All the performances are good. As each actor puts a spin on their own. Especially Forrest Whitaker. This is also the first film one remembers seeing actress Kristen Stewart in. In a strong supporting role. Here she seems to resemble a young Jodie foster around her CANDLESHOE era. Only with a haircut that looks more like a boys.

Jodie foster was cast as a replacement for Nicole Kidman. This helped redefine her career. showing she could play in genre films and not only highly praised drama’s she was one of the most Successful financial films in terms of box office in her career. Leading her to star in films like this but not on the same level of quality like FLIGHTPLAN or THE BRAVE ONE. This film also allowed her to show range. Not only in her acting but in her choices.

The house being so big certainly bigger then needed for just the two of them leaves the director and crew with plenty of room to play around with. I know her character is successful but a house that big and with all that space in Manhattan would cost a fortune. She or her ex would have to be a mini mogul.

David Fincher once again proves himself to be a master filmmaker and technician. He at times feels like a modern day Stanley Kubrick with more mainstream interest and genre tastes. Even the tones and colors though dark feel rich.

This Film is Common for the time it came out but more a rarity now. As when it was made this was more of an event thriller. Where you can tell time and care went into the development and making. Though if Made today it would revovle around the title more have a much lower budget and focus on the action more probably.

This is certainly more a cinematic movie. That feels more made to entertain and admire then a film that wants you to feel anything or even really bring you into the fold. I count myself lucky that I saw it in theaters on opening night.

GRADE: B+