Tom and Lucy have been dating for only two weeks when Tom makes a bold move to surprise Lucy with a weekend getaway at a secluded country hotel. While  en route, they find themselves hopelessly lost and the romantic gesture quickly takes a turn for the worse…and then another and another. 

For the vast majority of the run time, the audience is trapped in the car with Tom and Lucy. While spending an entire film in a cramped vehicle might sound difficult to watch, the claustrophobia adds just the right amount of tension between the two characters, shifting between the fear of what awaits outside and the growing suspicion of the person in the seat next to them. It adds to the suspense rather than smothering it.

On the rare occasions they leave the car, you might find yourself wishing they would get back inside for some sense of safety. Even with the “two week” relationship being a bit of a stretch, the actors pull it off with tight performances, keeping the viewers looking for answers along with the characters. 

In Fear has performed well on the festival circuit but also avoids the pretentious “arthouse” tropes that seem to have taken over independent cinema as of late. It’s a well-paced, solid thriller. 

Final Cut: 

You could probably drive a truck through some of the plot holes but if you are willing to suspend a little disbelief, get in the car with Tom and Lucy and enjoy the ride. In Fear is currently available on Amazon Prime.