4x4 (2019)

4x4 takes a wickedly simple setup—a petty theft gone wrong—and turns it into a pressure-cooker thriller that feels as tight and polished as the luxury van at its center. With the camera trapped in close quarters, the film squeezes suspense from every beep, breath, and failed escape attempt, building a claustrophobic dread that’s hard to shake. Peter Lanzani carries the ordeal with a raw, increasingly desperate performance that keeps you locked in even when you want to look away. It’s not a breezy watch, and its social undercurrents can feel pointed, but if you’re in the mood for a lean, anxiety-inducing ride that sparks conversation after the credits, this one delivers.

4x4 is a tight, single-location thriller that’s clearly aiming for a nasty little moral trap: put a petty thief in an inescapable luxury prison and watch the power dynamic twist. When it works, it’s tense and claustrophobic, with solid performances and a simple setup that keeps you curious about who’s pulling the strings. But it also leans hard into escalation, and by the time it reaches the finish line the movie can feel like it’s straining for shock and “message” in a way some viewers will find over-the-top rather than satisfying. If you’re into contained thrillers with a mean streak and don’t mind a heightened, divisive ending, it’s worth a look; if you want grounded realism or a payoff that feels restrained, this may irritate more than thrill.