Prisoners 

I'm not sure about this film. Was it grossly over long or was it pitched at just the right length? Was it a horror film or a psychological thriller, or was it a police procedural? Did it have any moral tale to tell, or was it exploitative just for the sake of it? Is it a story in favour of vigilantes - taking power into your own hand - or is it against them - leave everything to the police? I'm afraid that I can't make my mind up on any of those points - but what I can say is that it was a rippingly good film, very fast paced, and the huge amount of time that it ran for simply flew past. It was gripping and tense, and included what was for me some of the most chilling scenes of sheer cruelty and wickedness that you will ever see on film - it fairly chills you to the bone.

The film is about a couple of families whose young children go missing. The police can't seem to make any progress, so one of the fathers takes matters into his own hands and apprehends the likely suspect - and in an effort to get him to talk, subjects him to the most horrendous torture. Of course, that likely suspect is, as always, a loner and has a low IQ - so bang - no further investigation needed, he's your man! In the end he did have some connection - but the culprit ends up being probably the least suspected person in the village.

For me, the film is spoiled by there being far too many loose ends. For instance, if Alex Jones is supposed to be the main subject, why did it take the police five days to notice he was missing? Secondly, when Keller Dover was putting the finishing touches to his torture and detective Loki could hear the blows and screams from outside, how come Keller miraculously appears at the auntie's house for a confrontation? What was it with the priest and the body in the cellar? Where did Bob Taylor come into it – OK, he was one of Auntie’s first victims, but how did he learn how to participate in the continuing campaign? Why did the police digging up Auntie’s back yard so conspicuously miss the door to the pit underneath the old car in which Keller was trapped?

I suppose I quibble too much. If there's a moral in the story I suppose that it's that we can all become prisoners of our fears and prejudices, young and old, good or bad - and they can end up making demons out of us.

04/11/13