powerful, provocative film that's worthy of its accolades

Rating: Null/10 (26 November 2018)

In this gripping story Brie Larson gives a gritty, raw, and intensely emotional performance as a beleaguered young woman who's held captive for several years while trying in vain to raise her five-year-old son who's born without any exposure to the outside world...to reveal anything more would completely ruin the experience and surprises for first-time viewers. Intentionally bleak, painful, and claustrophobic, but always believable with some glimmers of hope thanks to the work of young Tremblay who's remarkably persuasive as the boy; compelling human drama at its finest. ***