Carjacked (2011)

Directed by: John Bonito | 88 minutes | thriller | Actors: Stephen Dorff, Maria Bello, Joanna Cassidy, Catherine Dent, David Jensen, Kristen Kerr, Gary Grubbs, Connor Hill

Cluttered gas stations, shadowy motels, roadside restaurants and expansive highways build the atmosphere and setting around this typically American ‘on the road’ thriller. This trip through the (partly nocturnal) American landscape starts shortly after we meet Lorraine (Mario Bello), a single mother who is soon introduced by the filmmaker as an unstable and worrying person. Her struggle with the past becomes clear when she tells her story in a support group for fellow sufferers. The message is clear: Lorraine is easy prey for all the dangers that lurk on this dark night. Once in the car with her son, the ominous minutes that lead the viewer to the moment when the film lives up to its name begins: ‘Carjacked’.

The structure of ‘Carjacked’ is almost as clear as it was shot: sharply filmed scenes in which the American ‘on the road’ feeling is emphasized with details. That’s where the gas stations, roadside restaurants and American cars come around the corner again. ‘Carjacked’ is one of the few feature films by director John Bonito. Carefully and qualitatively designed scenes come from his hand.

After the unmistakable introduction and ominous rise to the main theme, ‘Carjacked’ unfortunately doesn’t live up to its name as a thriller. Carjacker and bank robber Roy (Stephen Dorff) doesn’t bring that cutting and terrifying atmosphere to the story that will leave you on the edge of your seat for the rest of the trip. The conversations by the light of the dashboard, with Mother Lorraine, are sometimes even reminiscent of a bickering couple who have known each other for a little longer than the few minutes before.

Fortunately, ‘Carjacked’ also has some unexpected twists in store when Lorraine shows her brave and less sweet side. The following action scenes bring the necessary life to the brewery in which Lorraine’s divorce also plays a role.

Those who are scared during lonely, nighttime car rides will have an entertaining film in their hands because of that identification with ‘Carjacked’. Those who want to be convinced by the actors and the presented story of a cringe-inducing thriller will probably be disappointed.