Locked-room mysteries have always grabbed our attention. There’s something thrilling about trapping characters in a confined space and watching them figure their way out—or turn against one another. You can find this core idea in popular titles like “Escape Room” or the “Saw” series. A standout example is Vincenzo Natali’s “Cube.” Now, Netflix introduces us to the German film “Brick,” which aims to evoke that same suspenseful intrigue, but unfortunately, it misses the mark.
The story centers on Tim (Matthias Schweighöfer) and Liv (Ruby O. Fee), a couple grappling with past grief. After losing their pregnancy, Tim isolates himself by playing video games, pushing Liv to consider leaving him. However, when she attempts to walk out, they find themselves trapped in their apartment by an unyielding wall made of strange, magnetic bricks. With no water or cell signal, they realize their time is quickly running out. To escape, they must make alliances with neighbors they hardly know, each with their own secrets.
This setup has promise. As Tim, Liv, and a quirky group of neighbors work together, the tension builds. Director Philip Koch employs creative camera angles to enhance the action as they drill through walls, creating an engaging visual experience. The design of the setting reveals more about the characters than the script does. While math and maps prove essential for their escape, the story doesn’t capitalize on its potential for deeper character development.
Unfortunately, the characters are often one-dimensional. Tim and Liv’s journey toward reconciliation feels predictable. Supporting characters like Marvin (Frederick Lau), a druggie, and the paranoid cop Yuri (Murathan Muslu) lack the depth needed to make their struggles compelling. Yuri’s strange theories about the walls protecting them from something worse come off as forced; it seems like the script is trying too hard to reflect modern fears.
Despite hitting typical thriller beats—like interpersonal conflicts leading to violence—the film ultimately feels frustrating. The dialogue is clunky, sounding more like a rough translation than a flowing conversation. While the original German performances have their charm, the English dub falls flat, and viewers might find the violence surprisingly light. Instead of evoking the gritty atmosphere of films like Ben Wheatley’s “High Rise,” it feels like a tame version of “Home Alone.”
Every so often, Koch adds moments, like a fly buzzing around the building, which serve as thin metaphors for entrapment. Still, these moments don’t provide the substance needed to hold our interest. In the end, “Brick” offers a buzz but lacks lasting impact. For those craving a deep, gripping thriller, you might look elsewhere.
According to a recent survey from Statista, thrillers are among the most popular genres, highlighting a lasting audience demand for captivating stories. Yet, audiences often seek complexity and emotional depth, which “Brick” just doesn’t deliver. As the genre evolves, creators will need to find new ways to innovate while still engaging viewers at a deeper level.
For further insights, you can check out this [Statista report on genre preferences](https://www.statista.com/statistics/758691/film-genre-preference-usa/), which sheds light on what audiences are currently gravitating toward.
