Willem Dafoe Gives a Career-Defining Performance in This 2023 Thriller That Deserved More Attention

Willem Dafoe has a rich and varied filmography: his roles have been both critically acclaimed and award-winning, as well as overlooked by mainstream audiences yet still true gems.

Inside, a 2023 movie by first-time director Vasilis Katsoupis, deserves far more attention than it has received. With one actor, one setting, and almost no external action, it's a hypnotic spectacle that's impossible to tear yourself away from.

What Is 'Inside' About?

A professional thief masterfully infiltrates a luxurious penthouse belonging to a famous artist – his goal is to steal several expensive paintings.

Suddenly, the smart home technology malfunctions and the apartment's doors automatically lock. His hacker partner is unable to help because communication is lost. The windows are bulletproof, the phone is missing, and he has no idea when the owner will return.

Thus begins his imprisonment in a concrete-and-glass prison that gradually transforms from an ultramodern home into a veritable desert island.

The Entire Movie Is Willem Dafoe's Physical Theater You Can't Look Away From

First and foremost, Inside is Willem Dafoe's solo performance, and the actor makes the most of it. His character barely speaks – he grunts, screams, hums the tired melody of Macarena, and mumbles under his breath.

However, Dafoe tells the main story with his body. Watching him move around the apartment – nervously unscrewing yet another bolt, only to realize it's not working, trying to relax in his chair, alternately being funny, absurd, and suddenly frightening and tragic – is a true delight for fans of quality cinema.

Dafoe, who has long earned the right to such a solo outing, brilliantly utilizes his vast artistic arsenal to transform a seemingly typical story about a robber into a profound drama about human vulnerability.

'Inside' Is Much More Than a Straightforward Thriller About a Locked-in Man

One of the most interesting themes in Inside is the relationship between the high and the low, exemplified by the exquisite art adorning the penthouse walls and the mundane, almost animalistic struggle for survival.

Paintings appear throughout the movie, penetrating the protagonist's consciousness and becoming his silent interlocutors – they serve as a mirror in which he sees his own reflection.

Yet, the director prevents the film from becoming pretentious. The lofty penthouse space ultimately turns out to be merely a set that the main character dismantles and turns into a pile of junk.

While not entirely open-ended, Inside's finale leaves room for interpretation, allowing us to decide for ourselves what happened to the thief and what this journey meant to him.

What Did Critics & Viewers Think of 'Inside'?

• Inside has 61% from critics and 40% from viewers on Rotten Tomatoes.

• On IMDb, the movie has a score of 5.5/10.

• On Letterboxd, Inside scored 2.8/5.0.

Where to Watch 'Inside'?

Inside is available to stream on Peacock.