ATM

ATM is a captivating 2012 psychological thriller that keeps audiences on edge with its unpredictable plot. Featuring Alice Eve, Brian Geraghty, and Josh Peck, the film unravels a suspenseful narrative of confinement, despair, and survival. Directed by David Brooks, ATM weaves a tale where ordinary circumstances take a drastic turn for the worse, making for an engaging scenario that incites dread, fear, and suspense.

Set against a contemporary backdrop, ATM tells the story of three co-workers ending their late-night Christmas party. The trio, consisting of David Hargrove (Brian Geraghty), Emily Brandt (Alice Eve), and Corey Thompson (Josh Peck), decide to make a pit stop at a standalone ATM booth on their way home. The late-night convenience quickly spirals into a nightmare as they find themselves trapped within the small enclosure of the kiosk. What initially seems like a benign predicament, rapidly escalates to an unforeseen terror when they realize they are being watched.

Alice Eve, known for her roles in films like Star Trek Into Darkness, delivers an excellent performance as Emily Brandt. Her demeanor in the film exudes an elevated sense of fear and dread. Brian Geraghty, famous for his performance in the Oscar-winning Hurt Locker, plays David Hargrove, a well-etched character whose transition from an average-white-collar worker to a man fighting for survival is a treat to watch. Meanwhile, Josh Peck portraying Corey Thompson, the seemingly carefree and jovial individual, balances out the intensity in the story.

The ATM booth acts as an imposing character in itself, and the film brilliantly uses this limited space to compound the tension. The story escalates in such a manner that the booth transforms from a place of temporary refuge to a claustrophobic trap, intensifying the tension and adding to the visual aesthetics of the film.

As the night progresses and the temperature plunges, the trio battles the freezing cold and the menacing figure lurking in the shadows outside the booth. The ATM machine and its malfunctioning features add to the mounting anxiety, leaving the characters and the audience in a state of unease. The situations that the characters have to face turn increasingly dire, forcing them to make desperate decisions to survive both the brutal weather and the unknown threat outside.

ATM also falls under the category of suspenseful films where technology is more of a hindrance than help. The film leverages the small, isolated setting to exaggerate feelings of claustrophobia and fear. The concept of apparent safety in an open area surrounded by glass panels shifts to an eerie sense of vulnerability. The transition from an everyday situation to an extraordinary one in familiar surroundings enhances the psychological hangover the film leaves behind.

The cinematography, aptly capturing the chilling, deadly cold outside and the escalating tension inside the booth, deserves a special mention. All these elements effectively contribute to building a gripping, tense atmosphere that keeps the audience on their toes. The narrative progression is well paced, punctuated by excellent performances and smart storytelling with plenty of shock factors.

A real-time thriller with a limited cast and setting, ATM nicely showcases how a usual, routine experience can quickly escalate into a horrifying ordeal. It impressively exploits the claustrophobic environment to build escalating tension and an atmosphere of constant fear. Engaging characters, a riveting plotline, and a sudden dip into terror make ATM a compelling watch for psychological thriller enthusiasts.

With ATM, David Brooks delivers a movie that engages the audience not only through its storyline but also through its compelling direction, excellent performances, and suspenseful atmosphere. This late-night psychological thriller, with its nerve-wracking narrative, keeps you guessing and steeped in suspense until the very end. It's a must-watch for those in love with confined-space thrillers and psychological horror.