Introduction
Detained is a 2024 psychological thriller directed by Felipe Mucci, where nothing is as it seems. Set almost entirely in a gritty police precinct, the film tries to keep you guessing with one twist after another. It stars Abbie Cornish, Laz Alonso, Moon Bloodgood, and Silas Weir Mitchell in a story about deception, desperation, and how far people will go when pushed to the edge. But is it a gripping thriller or an overcomplicated mess? Well… a little bit of both.
Target Audience
This movie is for viewers who enjoy twisty, over-the-top thrillers where logic isn’t the priority. If you liked The Usual Suspects or Escape Room and don’t mind suspending disbelief, you’ll probably have fun with Detained. However, if you prefer grounded, realistic storytelling, this one might drive you crazy.
Detailed Synopsis
Rebecca Kamen (played by Abbie Cornish) wakes up handcuffed in a grimy police interview room with no memory of how she got there. The cops tell her she was found passed out behind the wheel at 2 a.m., involved in a hit-and-run that left a cyclist missing. She watches footage of a man from the bar accusing her of drunk driving. It all feels off — and not just because Rebecca can’t remember anything.
The police precinct looks like it’s falling apart. The detective (Moon Bloodgood) seems overly aggressive, while her partner (Laz Alonso) is suspiciously friendly. Something isn’t adding up.
And then, the first twist drops.
Rebecca isn’t in a real police station — she’s caught in an elaborate con game. The cops aren’t cops; they’re scammers trying to extort money. The "victim" might not even exist. From there, the movie becomes a rollercoaster of twists and betrayals.
As Rebecca tries to buy her way out, more players are revealed, including a junkie (Silas Weir Mitchell) and another victim (Josephine Lindegaard). Scuffles turn deadly. Gunshots are fired. Just when you think things can’t get more ridiculous, they do. There’s even a mysterious villain named Jovan, who may or may not be real.
The plot is chaotic and sometimes downright silly — but it never stops moving.
Story & Themes
At its heart, Detained is about survival and trust. In a high-pressure situation where everyone is lying, who can you believe? The film explores how people act when backed into a corner, though it never digs deep enough to be truly thought-provoking.
Instead, it leans heavily on shock value. Twists come so fast that it’s hard to process one before another is thrown at you. If you can embrace the absurdity, it’s entertaining. If you’re looking for depth, you’ll be left scratching your head.
Direction & Cinematography
Felipe Mucci does a decent job with a limited setting. Almost the entire movie takes place in one grimy location, which adds to the feeling of claustrophobia. The dark, dimly lit rooms create a tense, unsettling mood, even if the plot itself struggles to maintain that tension.
However, the direction sometimes feels overdramatic. Every twist is treated like a huge reveal, even when it’s predictable. The cinematography uses close-ups and shaky cam during tense moments, which works at times but can also feel overwhelming.
Performance
The cast is what keeps Detained watchable despite its flaws.
Abbie Cornish delivers a strong performance as Rebecca, bringing depth to a character who is confused, terrified, and desperate all at once. She makes you care about Rebecca even when the plot doesn’t.
Laz Alonso stands out as Avery, the smooth-talking "detective" with a sinister edge. He shifts between charming and threatening with ease.
Moon Bloodgood plays the classic “bad cop” role convincingly, while Silas Weir Mitchell brings a chaotic energy to his small but memorable role as the junkie.
Even when the story goes off the rails, the cast remains fully committed — and that makes the movie more enjoyable.
Audience Reactions
Reactions to Detained have been mixed.
Some viewers appreciate its fast pace and unpredictable twists, calling it a fun, escapist thriller that doesn’t take itself too seriously.
Others find it frustrating, with too many plot holes and unrealistic twists to fully enjoy. The suspension of disbelief required is enormous, and for some, that’s part of the fun. For others, it’s a deal-breaker.
It’s the kind of movie that might leave you saying, "What did I just watch?" — and for some, that’s exactly the point.
Verdict
Detained is a messy, chaotic thriller that embraces its own absurdity. It’s not smart, it’s not realistic, and it doesn’t care. If you enjoy mindless thrillers with non-stop twists, it offers plenty of entertainment. If you need a coherent plot or believable characters, this one isn’t for you.
Despite its flaws, there’s something undeniably fun about watching a group of flawed characters bounce off each other in an impossible situation. Sometimes dumb fun is just… fun.