MOVIE LOCKED DOWN

STARRING: Anne Hathaway, Chiwetel Ejiofor

The entire film industry was forced to pivot last year after mandatory lockdowns, border closures and health risks caused many productions to press pause. But director Doug Liman and screenwriter Steven Knight decided to take advantage of the COVID-19 pandemic, using it as inspiration for their comedy-filled heist movie Locked Down.

The film was conceived last July, sold in September and had completed shooting in London by the end of October. “It was exhilarating,” the film’s star Anne Hathaway said of the experience. “I feel like some people started smoking again during lockdown, some people started drinking with lunch, and then we just took our feelings and made a film about it.”

The actress plays Linda who, just as she decides to separate from Paxton (Chiwetel Ejiofor), finds life has other plans. Plunged into a mandatory lockdown, the couple are stuck at home in London. Although cohabitation proves to be a challenge, fuelled by isolation (and copious amounts of wine), it ends up bringing them together in the most surprising way – the pair hatch a plan to steal a precious diamond from luxury department store Harrods.

Featuring cameos from Mindy Kaling, Stephen Merchant, Ben Stiller and Lucy Boynton, Locked Down is the fun, relatable and escapist film antidote to 2020.

(In cinemas now)