The locked-room mystery has long been a beloved element of the thriller genre, where a confined group of characters is thrust into a high-stakes situation. Netflix’s recent offering, “Brick,” which is a German-language techno-thriller, attempts to harness that intrigue but falters in delivering a compelling narrative.
“Brick” centers on Tim and Liv, a deeply troubled couple portrayed by Matthias Schweighöfer and Ruby O. Fee. Facing the emotional fallout from a tragic miscarriage, their relationship hangs by a thread. Just as Liv decides to leave, they find themselves trapped in their apartment, encased by an unyielding wall of irregular, matte-black bricks. This mysterious barrier blocks all communication and sustenance, forcing them and their eclectic neighbors to band together to survive.
Despite a promising premise reminiscent of other confined thrillers such as “Cube,” director Philip Koch’s film struggles with character development. The tensions and revelations that typically reveal true natures in life-or-death scenarios come off as predictable. Tim and Liv’s attempts to reconcile in this dire situation lack depth, failing to engage the audience. Other characters, like the paranoid conspiracy theorist Yuri, seem one-dimensional and do not add substantial intrigue.
While the film has notable production qualities, such as creative camera work and a unique setting, the screenplay falls flat with dialogue that often feels uninspired. Even in its thrilling moments, “Brick” opts for a restrained style that lacks the visceral impact one might expect from a thriller of this genre.
Koch tries to incorporate themes of societal paranoia through characters’ dialogues, but the execution feels heavy-handed. The narrative hints at deeper themes but does not explore them meaningfully. Ultimately, the film presents a straightforward thriller without reinvigorating the genre.
Despite its shortcomings, “Brick” offers a glimpse into the human psyche under pressure, exploring themes of isolation and desperation. For fans of the genre, it still provides a mild suspense amid its predictable twists. While it won’t carve out a space as a genre-defining work, it serves as an interesting, if imperfect, addition to the category of escape-themed thrillers.