Panic Room (2002)
(David Fincher, US 2002, 112 min., 35mm)
Meg and Sarah Altman (Jodie Foster and Kristen Stewart) are a mother and daughter fighting for their lives during a home invasion in director David Fincher’s taut thriller. Meg and Sarah move into a New York City brownstone that has a unique feature — the previous reclusive owner installed a “panic room,” an extremely secure space with thick walls and an attached security system. Their first night in their new home, three burglars break in with the intent of stealing $3 million in bearer bonds locked inside the panic room. With no way out and no communication to the outside, Meg and Sarah must fight for their lives against the violent intruders. Fincher’s stylish camerawork moves seamlessly through the four floors of the house as the single-location tension evokes references to Rear Window and Wait Until Dark.