Podcast | ‘Locke’ Episode Recap

The hosts of Imbibe Cinema — led by Jonathan C. Legat, Tricia Legat, and Michael Noens — delve into the intense, single-location 2013 film, Locke, directed by Steven Knight and starring Tom Hardy. The discussion unpacks the film's unique production, stellar cast, technical brilliance, and central themes of integrity and crisis.

The 80-minute film is set almost entirely in a car, yet manages to be incredibly intense and visually stunning. The production was filmed over just six nights, shot linearly from start to finish like a theatrical play. While Tom Hardy is the only actor on screen, the supporting cast — which includes major talent like Andrew Scott (Donal), Olivia Coleman (Bethan), Ben Daniels (Gareth), and Tom Holland (Eddie) — were sequestered in a hotel conference room, waiting to call in their voice-only roles. The supporting cast was provided with props to enhance the realism of their phone calls, resulting in authentic audio that includes background noise and mumbling.

Despite the confined setting, the film is beautifully edited by Justine Wright (The Mauritanian), who pulled from roughly 30 hours of footage. She created unique shots and sequences that feature interlacing shots and impressive dissolves to fill negative space.

Director of Photography, Harris Zambarloukos (Eye in the Sky), mastered the difficult challenge of lighting a car for the entire 80 minutes. The hosts note how the light from passing traffic creates a dance across the vehicle, and how the camera shake becomes more pronounced as the story’s intensity builds.

The plot centers on Ivan Locke (Tom Hardy), a successful construction foreman who, after a momentary lapse of judgment with a co-worker named Bethan (Olivia Coleman), receives a call that she has gone into premature labor. At the beginning of the movie, Locke makes a deliberate right turn instead of a left, setting him on a path to London to be present for the birth, despite the fact that he barely knows the woman and has a wife (Katrina, played by Ruth Wilson) and two sons waiting for him at home.

This choice precipitates a massive professional and personal crisis, as the following morning is the eve of the largest concrete pour in Britain outside of military contracts. Locke's actions are driven by a deep moral commitment to not be like his loser, pathetic father who disappeared from his life only to show up later as an embarrassing mooch. Locke, who is noted for his high standards and passion for his work, refuses to lie about being sick to save his job and is subsequently fired by his boss, Gareth (Ben Daniels).

Despite being fired and hearing his marriage collapse over the phone, Locke remains focused on his list of things to accomplish. He spends the drive guiding his drunken second-in-command, Donal (Andrew Scott), on the precise C6 concrete specifications needed for the building's foundation, emphasizing that the structure could collapse if the pour goes wrong. He refuses to abandon the woman or the child, determined to clear the air and ensure the new baby has a father.

The movie is described as a suspense-thriller that is deeply human and heartbreaking, showcasing how Locke is forced to deal with multiple crises simultaneously. Tricia noted that the claustrophobia of the car makes the viewer feel trapped, like they are inside Locke's head.

A constant element is the ghost or spirit of Locke’s father, which he addresses verbally, in the rear-view mirror as a reflection of what is haunting him from behind.

The hosts found the script amazingly well written. Jonathan highlighted the tension when Locke is trying to talk to his son, Eddie (Tom Holland), but can’t connect. Michael remarked on Locke’s high integrity, noting that he handles the entire crisis with a calm demeanor. Tricia cited a key line spoken by his wife, Katrina, to underscore Locke's fault: "The difference between never and once is the whole world. The difference between never and once is the difference between good and bad."

While Tom Hardy earned critical acclaim — winning 20 of the film's 39 awards for Best Actor — some critics found the film "uninteresting to the point of tedium" or a "flat single location flick." The hosts concluded that the film’s strength lies in its nuanced, character-driven approach as a unique independent film.

Episode Beverage Pairing

Ingredients

• 1½ ounces bourbon
• ¾ ounce pomegranate liqueur
• ¾ ounce lemon juice
• 3 ounces iced tea (orange-flavored recommended)
• ½ ounce simple syrup (optional)