10 Years Later, This Oscar-Winning Survival Thriller Is Still the Best Movie in Brie Larson's Filmography

In 2015, Room, an intimate drama directed by Lenny Abrahamson, was released – it earned four Oscar nominations, including a win for Brie Larson in the Best Actress category.

Based on Emma Donoghue's novel of the same name, as well as the real-life story of Josef Fritzl, the film tells the story of a woman held captive for seven years and her son born during her captivity.

It marked a significant milestone for the studio A24, which secured its first Oscar nomination for Best Picture.

What Is 'Room' About?

Joy and her five-year-old son, Jack, live in Room, a small shed where Joy was imprisoned seven years ago by a madman she calls Old Nick. Jack knows no life other than existence within this confined space.

Despite the terrible conditions, Joy creates a world of games and routines for her son – she tells him that a vast universe lies beyond the room's walls, though he cannot truly visualize it. Joy never loses hope of escaping captivity and showing her son the world outside.

After their long-awaited escape, the story becomes a coming-of-age drama in which adjusting to freedom proves to be just as challenging as the imprisonment itself.

'Room' Is Worth Watching if Only for Brie Larson and Jacob Tremblay's Performances

Known for Scott Pilgrim vs. the World and Captain Marvel, Larson delivers the best performance of her career here. Her portrayal of Joy, a woman who refuses to give up even in the most harrowing circumstances, is exceptional.

She creates a happy childhood for her son, transforming their small, cramped room into a loving, caring space.

Jacob Tremblay, only nine years old at the time of filming, delivers one of the most remarkable child performances in cinematic history – Jack knows no other world, but he learns to embrace reality with his mother's help.

'Room' Remains a Unique Release for the A24 Studio

Room was a milestone for A24. Although the studio had already released several successful projects, Lenny Abrahamson's movie was its first Oscar-nominated film for Best Picture.

The movie showed that the studio could produce not only "weird" auteur flicks, but also festival hits with outstanding acting.

Room is a surprisingly rare commodity – the studio hasn't produced a similar project in years. To this day, Room remains a chilling and genuinely terrifying thriller about how the past haunts us.

Above all, though, it's a film about maternal resilience and love, which becomes the only weapon against madness.

What Did Critics & Viewers Think of 'Room'?

• Room has 93% from both critics and viewers on Rotten Tomatoes.

• On IMDb, the movie has a score of 8.1/10.

• On Letterboxd, Room scored 4.0/5.0.

Where to Watch 'Room'?

Room is available to buy or rent on Amazon Prime Video.