On the surface, being stuck inside a fancy apartment appears to be a lovely dream. Who could possibly complain about being high above the never-ending hustle and bustle of New York City, surrounded by high-end art and top-of-the-line amenities? Inside, directed by Vasilis Katsoupis, turns this idea into a nightmare for Willem Dafoe’s hapless thief. What appears to be the pinnacle of affluence and comfort quickly transforms into a truly disturbing jail that only grows eerier as the video progresses. Inside is ultimately too lengthy for its own good, despite Dafoe’s outstanding performance in what is effectively a one-man show.
The Oscar nominee portrays Nemo, an art thief who is assisted by some unknown acquaintances in gaining entrance to an airy, ultra-modern high-rise apartment.
Nemo breezes around the flat, gathering the majority of the items he’s come to snag before exiting through the front door. Nevertheless, a security system breakdown leaves Nemo stuck on his own, with no method of contacting his comrades or escaping. To make matters worse, there is little food, the water and gas have been shut off, and a malfunctioning thermostat causes temperatures to fluctuate between dangerously hot and distressingly cold. Even as his mind begins to disintegrate, Nemo must rely on all of his wits to survive his extremely hostile circumstances.
Within would not work without an incredibly devoted performer at its heart, and Dafoe gives his all in portraying Nemo’s steady spiral into insanity. Of course, one would expect nothing less from a performer famed for playing insane characters, but Dafoe is dealing with some particular obstacles here. The conversation is limited, with Nemo mostly talking to himself as the film progresses. Instead, the actor physically expresses Nemo’s distress; one especially dramatic scene shows the robber laying his head inside the freezer. Dafoe enthusiastically scratches the edges, anxious for some form of liquid, before silently collapsing and laying his head on his arm. As a result, Inside is an excellent showcase of Dafoe’s abilities.
Katsoupis adds a terrific feeling of spaciousness to the film. The flat, as beautifully represented by production designer Thorsten Sabel, becomes a character in and of itself, and Katsoupis takes care to catch as many nuances as possible within it. Weaving static shots into the action, the director and DOP Steven Annis take note of Nemo’s bare-bones fridge, the growing pile of wood chippings on the floor (courtesy of Nemo attempting to carve his way out of the heavy front door), as well as other increasingly disgusting elements of Nemo’s horrible circumstances.
The lack of a functional toilet, for example, serves as a terrible reminder that Nemo may be in a luxury condo, but he might as well be on a desolate island – that would be a better scenario.
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But, as the story progresses, Inside’s intriguing idea becomes monotonous. An audience can only watch a guy battle to survive in one spot for so long. At one point, the film just reveled in Nemo’s craziness. Katsoupis (who created the idea, which screenwriter Ben Hopkins subsequently adapted into a narrative) doesn’t shy away from the horrible things Nemo must resort to survive, making for an increasingly uncomfortable viewing experience. Inside provides a respite from Nemo’s isolated existence with a brief dream scene that, while stretching the duration even longer, also hints at the life Nemo may have dreamed he might have, but now appears to be further distant than ever. The finale provides an unclear note of promise, but it isn’t nearly enough to undo the anguish that preceded it.
Within excels as both an investigation of a man’s survival efforts and a showcase of Dafoe’s ability. By the end of the film, Nemo’s brilliance has been amply demonstrated, and Dafoe has undoubtedly contributed another memorable performance to his résumé. Within falters a little more in terms of overall plot and intensity. This film isn’t for everyone, but fans of Dafoe should see his all-out portrayal of a guy at the end of his rope. Even when the tempo falters, it keeps the film intriguing.
