User reviews

Bob, a cab-driving serial killer who stalks his prey on the city streets alongside his reluctant protégé Tim, who must make a life or death choice between following in Bob's footsteps or breaking free from his captor.

Be prepared, this film is not for the faint of heart or the more sensitive viewers. Chained is the most unsettling film of 2012 that grips you by the throat and doesn't let go, as well as a kick in the stomach. Dread consumes this twisted, dark and provocative crime/thriller. In the vein of Henry: Portrait Of A Serial Killer, this film takes you inside the mind of a ruthless killer, the character study is a very disturbing, heart shattering and shocking. Filled with depravity! The performances were powerfully tense and keeps you glued to the screen and on the edge of you seat. Vincent D'Onofrio, who you may know from Law & Order, plays Bob, a serial killer cab driver and gives one hell of a chilling performance. You feel horrible for but hate him at the same time, a killer that's a product of his environment. Eamon Farren plays older Rabbit, which is the name Bob gives to him after he abducts him and his mom when he was a young child. Now he is chained to a wall with no way out, but to only buddy up with his captor enough to be freed from the chains. Eamon gives a captivating performance and you root for him to escape the horrors and at one point having you shout at the screen to fight back and get revenge. Harrowing film! Director, Jennifer Chambers Lynch who directed the equally startling film Surveillance, has crafted yet another distressing, graphic and wicked film. The rawness of her films is now very much signature to me, she always has a way of getting under your skin, keeps you in suspense and hits you hard with a shocking conclusion. Her film will make you think twice about calling for a cab! Very much interested to see what she throws at us next, I won't be surprised if it leaves me in the fetal position, shaken out of my mind. She is that good! Overall, this film is definitely not for everyone as it's blood curdling, but the performances are some of the best of 2012 from this twisted genre. The story will keep you in cold sweat, wondering and guessing if poor Rabbit will make it out OK and has one hell of a shocking ending that will leave you breathless. A tough watch, but worth it! 7 out of 10.

This is the most unpredictable horror thriller I have ever seen. I don't know a similar movie.

Though I was skeptical about Vincent D'Onofrio. I know him well from Full Metal Jacket and many episodes of Criminal Intent in the role of the investigating detective. How can I buy that he is a psychopath and a serial killer? But a few minutes later, I forgot that it's him, because of the shocking scenes. He plays a man-made psychopath without empathy and without compassion. Not a glimpse of compassion. The unpredictability of him generates horror since anything could happen at any time. The story reveals what has made such a monster out of him, but also shows, that not everyone becomes a psychopath.

The other main actor, Eamon Farren also plays brilliantly.

There is not a ton of action but it's not boring, trust me. It is frightening but also a sad story. You will see.

Bob (Vincent D'Onofrio), a cab-driving serial killer who stalks his prey on the city streets alongside his reluctant protégé Tim, who must make a life or death choice between following in Bob's footsteps or breaking free from his captor.

In the short time that Jennifer Lynch has been making her mark on cinema, I have grown to enjoy her style of film. At least, based on this one and her last effort, "Surveillance". I confess I am not familiar with "Boxing Helena". Her latest films are odd, but not absurd -- just odd enough to be unique and really draw people in by their novelty (a great quality to have). Here we have the serial killer story, but told in a very different way: through the eyes of a captive held for nine years. (Critics have said this idea was already presented in "Bereavement", but I would argue this is the better film.)

D'Onofrio gives a solid performance, one that may be among the best of his recent career. Trying to gauge his character is tough -- smart, stupid, slow? He is clearly clever enough to do what he does and get away with it, but his way of speaking clearly implies some sort of mental issues beyond the murderous intentions.

One could psychologically analyze Rabbit all day. He is the poster child for "learned helplessness", accepting defeat after years of beatings. Yet, he does not fit with the classic idea of Stockholm Syndrome -- he accepts Bob as his master, but only grudgingly so. And there could also be talk of nature versus nurture. Certainly, Bob is "nurturing" Rabbit to become a killer -- but will he accept it?

My friend and horror adviser, Aaron Christensen, had what he calls a violent, visceral reaction to this film and even had the urge to punch director Lynch in the face (particularly after she explained that the film was intended as a message against child abuse). For him, there is too much of a need for suspension of disbelief and this story could only exist in a "fairy tale" world. We are in disagreement. I have no opinion on the child abuse claim (though it seems rather strange), but I approach all horror films from the point of view of a fairy tale, more or less. Sure, this film was presented as more real than, say, "Nightmare on Elm Street", but I saw little need to pick out the plot holes -- some being so obvious that pointing them out is hardly a mental challenge (such as why Rabbit never escapes).

You may agree or disagree on the greatness of this film, or even have no strong reaction at all. I would be curious to hear more thoughts from people... I did not realize this film would be a conversation piece, but apparently it is.

CHAINED starts off giving you the impression that this could be just another torture fest where a young boy and his mother get kidnapped by a taxi driver who is really a serial killer and taken to his home. There the boy's mother is murdered and he is made to live with the killer and do whatever he says.

After all that the plot actually becomes more intriguing with superb character development and it is very disturbing and comes up with some very unexpected moments and the final half is what raises this film above many others in the same genre.

The performances are excellent, Jennifer Lynch certainly found the ideal actor to play the serial killer in Vincent D'Onofrio and even the actors with the smallest roles manage to shine.

Overall, CHAINED is a very impressive film although not for everyone but the final half is sure to impress anyone who sees it.

The nine year-old Tim (Evan Bird) goes to the movie theater with his mother Sarah (Julia Ormond) and his father Brad Fittler (Jake Weber) tells Sarah to take a cab to go home. After the session, Sarah and Tim take the cab of Bob (Vincent D'Onofrio) that abducts and bring them to his isolated house. Bob kills Sarah and shackles and gives rules to Tim, nicknaming him "Rabbit". Along the years, the psychopath serial-killer Bob keeps killing women and Tim cleans the house and the blood, buries the women and eats Bob's leftover. When Tim (Eamon Farren) grows up, Bob decides to treat him as his son and unchains him, but Tim is reluctant to accept him. One day, Bob brings the gorgeous teenager Angie (Conor Leslie) expecting that Tim has sex with her and kills her. What will Tim do with Angie?

"Chained" is a disturbing, twisted and depressing loss of innocence of a boy kidnapped by a sadistic and deranged serial-killer and with a surprising plot point in the end. Vincent D'Onofrio is a scary psychopath with a twisted mind. The fate of Angie is omitted in the movie and this is the weakest part of the cruel plot that makes an ambiguous conclusion. My vote is seven.

Title (Brazil): "Acorrentados" ("Chained")

Dark, psychological thriller. Well fleshed out. Personally I think Rabbit would have been a better title, as he's an interesting character. Nicely done and claustrophobic.

Thank you Prime for the assortment of new and old films. I missed Chained until now for some reason...Vince D'nofrio is great as usual, and working with a pretty good supporting cast, led by newcomer Eamon Ferren. This is a good horror/crime story with some interesting twists and surprises. If you like horror/crime genre films you will definitely like Chained. The direction, script and cinematography are good, and superb at times. Chained is definitely a D'nofrio vehicle, so for fans like me who never tire of his acting, this is another special part for him to shine, and he does! A warning for the squeamish, some graphic violence scenes are gruesome, but not gratuitous. Overall, 👍👍 in honor of Siskel and Ebert.

This film is well done. The parts are played well, and the movie is intriguing from start to finish. D'Onofrio is great as the serial killing cab driver. I think Jennifer Lynch has done a great job with the script and the actors. But after seeing 'HISSS', you hoped that she had improved, and in my mind she has done so easily. The story is very good too, I was watching wanting to know what happens with Tim. And then there's the huge plot twist at the end, you do not see it coming! It was what made the film worth seeing through to the end. If you're like me and love a good twist, then this movie is well worth seeing. So I give it a solid 8 out of 10.

Jennifer Lynch has created something here that is nothing short of breath taking. From the tone and mood to the color and performances, this film is a must for any fan of dark reality. This film could happen.

Vincent D'Onfrio gives a brilliant performance as a serial killer with a chance to be a mentor to his captive. I loved this film, it is just so sad that Hollywood does not recognize films like this when awards come around. This film is honest, unrelenting and touching. This is how horror films should be made. Horror, not gore, not slasher. This film kept me glued to my seat on pins and needles wondering how everything was gonna play out. I was not let down. Jennifer, thank you so much.

This thriller is truly disturbing. It might come as slow, but the dark storyline makes it a good watch. Sadly the last 15 minutes suck. Stupid plot twists and ambiguous ending definitely ruins it.

This movie is flat, boring and not at all inventive. The acting was poor overall. The script was terrible. The lines were awkward and had no impact. There was no terror, creepiness or sense of fear in the movie, which is odd because of the main concept and violence in the film. I felt the movie glossed over some important stuff that would have been interesting, such as showing more of Rabbit going up in the house, and not jumping ahead so quickly. I felt the reasoning for the evilness in the main villain tried to make you almost feel sorry for him, but I do not think it was a reason for him to do what he did, he was just evil, so it was almost unnecessary. As far as watchability, this movie was so dull I had to skip ahead several times because I couldn't bare to watch it any longer. I honestly don't understand why people enjoyed this movie.

This is a really excellent film, a real psychological horror, no gore but you get the idea and have to use your imagination, and the performances are superb...the twist is brilliant, totally caught me off guard, jaw to the floor! But then again, I have watched Surveillance so should have expected something...if you haven't do!

I came across this just browsing and clicked it on. I was amazed by the intensity this film caused me. And it's true as any true crime fan knows. I felt the fear, the resentment, the warped family, the wounded. The stars were incredible. Very scary movie, bloody too. They threw me a curve at the end which personally I did not think necessary but I guess it puts it all together for the audience.

Wow, caught me off guard, I would give the first half of the movie a 6 and the second half a strong 8 ... I don't want to give spoilers , I would just say give it a watch, it's worth a look

Poor Jennifer Lynch. I'm glad she's found steady work in television, because her career in film has been rough. First was 'Boxing Helena,' which I found to be a dire mess; though she returned to the medium after a period of fifteen years away, later came 'Hisss' in 2010, and while I recognize the value in how it turned out, Lynch disavowed it and has said that even with her name attached it's not really her movie. And here we are in 2012, with what has to date been the director's last foray into cinema. She has at least freed herself from trying to live up to the legacy of her father, though he still looms large, but how does 'Chained' hold up on its own account? Happily, I think with this Lynch has accomplished what she has previously struggled to - a solid motion picture. I'm earnestly impressed with the writing, the direction, and the acting; of the three of her four directed works I've seen, this is the first time I find myself wishing to commend Lynch for the end result. "Solid" doesn't always mean "enjoyable," however; for all the horror flicks that have ever been made, the preponderance play in a fantastical space that dulls the edge of violence just enough to make it palatable and entertaining. That is not the case here, for Lynch gives us a horror-drama that very specifically explores the rituals, lifestyle, and psychology of a serial killer, and which furthermore examines the child abuse that is a common factor in shaping a person into a killer. In whatever measure this is genuinely interesting and absorbing, there are wide swaths of it which are so disturbing that I had a hard time watching. Of any genre pieces I've ever watched, the only other one that has been so questionable and in some measure repelling has been Pascal Laugier's 'Ghostland'; one way or another, that says something about Lynch and 'Chained.'

I'm certainly not saying the sum total is so impeccable as to become a must-see, and I won't begrudge anyone who regards it more poorly. Though the filmmaker's vision remains intact at all points, there are some portions that are distinctly stronger or weaker than others as they present. This applies above all to the last act, including and following (but not exclusive to) the introduction of the character of Angie. In fairness, Lynch has accordingly remarked that constraints were placed upon her which meant her movie got shortchanged, so maybe she can't be blamed outright. Nevertheless, as the plot shifts away from the "relationship" between Bob and Rabbit, the writing comes across as less sure-footed, like Lynch had difficulty finding a way to round out the narrative. The strength in this title in terms of its story is in the warped interpretation of parent/child or mentor/pupil as Bob holds Rabbit captive and tries to mold him in his image, continuing a cycle of abuse. In the back end 'Chained' endeavors to complete the plot with meaningful resolution, but as it does it becomes much more common and less noteworthy. Above all, while the tale does remain cohesive through to the somewhat ambiguous end, the beats to come in the last several minutes were obviously the least developed; all of a sudden the viewing experience feels slipshod, as if we're seeing an unfinished work. Far more than not Lynch's screenplay is excellent, with some splendid details, and I rather congratulate her sagacious choice to focus on the complicated characters instead of on the violence in Damian O'Donnell's root story. It's just unfortunate that somewhere between that screenplay, the editing of Daryl K. Davis and Chris A. Peterson, and perhaps the oversight of the producers, the whole is weakened at its most crucial point, with a less than convincing finish. Alas.

Still, the saga is dark and impactful, and in her capacity as director Lynch does her utmost to make every last iota count. That task is surely made easier by a superb cast, and though even those in smaller supporting parts do well, it's definitely the stars who stand out not just for their prominence, but for their individual contributions and their chemistry. Vincent D'Onofrio commands stark, unsettling presence as Bob, settling into the role with deliberate mannerisms and diction that are striking. I feel as if D'Onofrio is routinely underappreciated, and it seems a bit funny that it would be a director with as checkered a legacy as Jennifer Lynch to draw out so fine a performance. Not to be outdone, Eamon Farren handily complements D'Onofrio's Bob as fraught Rabbit, trapped and frightened. Between his turn here and that to follow in 2017 in the third season of 'Twin Peaks,' it's readily apparent what a superb actor Farren is, and I can only hope that he continues to find success in his career. All this is to say nothing of smart production design, gnarly effects including blood and gore, fierce stunts, and otherwise terrific craft down to considerations of lighting. I can only repeat that overall 'Chained' is solid, and I am very pleased that even for its glaring imperfections, I can say that Lynch has done well; that's especially true if, as has been the case so far, this stands as her last cinematic endeavor. Yes, there are emphatic criticisms to level, and it's not exactly a "fun" picture. At its best it's tight and engrossing, though, and at worst, it needed more time to gestate and fully flesh out the narrative. All told this is hardly something one needs to go out of their way to see, and one should be acutely aware of the grisly and vexing nature of the content. If you do have the opportunity to watch, though, and the violence and flaws are no obstacle, then I'm glad to give 'Chained' my firm recommendation.

For some reason I had some trouble tracking this film down but I was finally able to get my hands on a copy and boy am I glad I did, anything starring Vincent D'Onofrio always peaks my interest (I mean come on, have you seen his work in The Cell?!) and he is one of my most favored actors. D'Onofrio showcases his talents best when portraying the villain who I have to admit, I always find myself secretly rooting for. This film is well acted by all who participated and the grand twist at the end is a real shocker, it just goes to show that you never really know who you can trust. This was the first encounter I have had with Eamon Farren but I was very pleased with his acting, this film has a good story line that will hold your attention until the end and as gruesome as it was at points I just couldn't look away...that is how you know you have found a good film. I give Chained a 6 out of 10 stars and would recommend giving it a shot, it really is a KILLER film. ;)

This movie is just plain bad. Sure, you could do a lot worse, but you could do a lot better as well. This movie is just plain boring from start to finish. It clearly tries to be an indie art-house film, with its sepia tone throughout. However, it never makes a point or portrays anything meaningful.

Basically, its about a batsh*t insane cab-driver who kidnaps women and kills them. He keeps a boy hostage to clean up the mess, because apparently hes so lazy that he needs an underage child to do it for him. Villains like this are so one-dimensional; its like I'm watching Scooby-Doo all over again. Oh, and the ending is completely unnecessary. It tries to surprise you with a "shock" ending, but instead it makes you sigh in disappointment. Its like a brain-damaged orangutan wrote this script, who is also an infant.

People who praise the film say it makes you think. About what? Child abuse? Yeah, people abuse their kids, but that looks nothing like this. This movie couldn't be more shallow. All it does is make the main character as pitiful as humanly possible. Its just like the Kony 2012 scam. It plays at your heart strings but does nothing constructive with your emotionally vulnerable state. This movie is like the Passion of the Christ, because it doesn't make you feel anything except pity for the character.

People who praise the film will try to convince you that haters just dislike it because there is no brainless slasher killer and big boobed bimbos. No, sorry, I dislike the film because there is no point, no character development, no logic and no anything else. The only thing this movie does is make you feel bad. That's it. I could make a movie that makes you feel bad. Have you ever watched those minute long commercials on the TV that shows puppy-eyed starving African children? At least those have something meaningful to say, unlike this film.

I will give this film a few stars, because some of the actors were OK and because (at the very least) the movie makes you feel something.

If you want to watch movies with "Oh, so much meaning! It gives me the feels!", try watching The Orphanage, which (unlike this picture) is actually intelligent and scary.

I'll never understand why films like this are dubbed horror. Its not scary, nor is it that gory either. Its actually tedious, which would be the best word to describe this movie. Tedious.

All I can say about this movie is disappointment. The acting wasn't good, the script wasn't good, and the supposed scenes of graphic violence and rapes were non existent. It took every once of energy in me just to stay awake during this movie. I kept thinking it would get better, but as one other user put it, this movie was very redundant. The same thing keeps happening over and over again with no plot. There was nothing scary about this movie, and I am uncertain why it is rated "R". I am fairly certain most ten year olds could watch this movie and be bored to death as well. I do not recommend anyone wasting their hard earned money on this movie, and if I could get my money back, I would. The price was outrageous as well, it should have been $2, but I paid nearly $14, what a waste!