There are plenty of films that have been made that we could consider to be innovative and original. The amazing thing about the film industry is that it is full of creative and unique people with big ideas and a scope to explore them. But, everyone has to start off small, and even Spielberg began somewhere much smaller than he is today. Some of the most interesting and original movies ever made are those that take place in a single location.
There’s something liberating about watching a stripped-down, back-to-basics movie, that leaves all the CGI on the cutting room floor. These are generally movies that are made on a shoestring budget, and often crafted by brand new or inexperienced filmmakers. The movies rare excellent examples of what can be achieved in just a single location. These are a few of the best films that take place in a single room.
Buried (2010)
Buried is one of the most stunning innovative movies we’ve ever seen. Ryan Reynolds plays Paul Conroy, a man who is buried alive in a coffin, with just a cell phone, and some glow-sticks. The movie is a captivating experience, as Conroy frantically tries to call people and figure out where he is to initiate a rescue attempt. It’s tense, clever, claustrophobic, and the camera never leaves the coffin! This is definitely a movie you absolutely must check out if you’ve not seen it.
Rope (1948)
Rope is one of the great offerings from the master of suspense Alfred Hitchcock. This was the first movie he made in color. The film follows two guys who kill their friend and hide his body in a wooden chest while they hold a dinner party at their apartment! A masterclass in suspense, this wonderful thriller movie is one of the most underrated films in James Stewart’s back catalog. The film all takes place in the apartment and is basically just a movie featuring conversations around a table, but it’s done brilliantly.
Saw (2004)
Saw was the movie that turned single-location thrillers into blockbusters. Okay, so there are some scenes that occur outside of the single room, namely in the form of flashbacks. But, the plot more or less surrounds two men who wake up in an abandoned, grimy bathroom, chained to each side of the room, with nothing but a saw each and a dead body in the middle. Saw revolutionized the horror genre, and remains one of the most influential modern horrors.
These are a few of the best films that have limited or single locations to them. These are movies that you need to check out if you’ve not seen them, and they are absolute musts for anyone who is looking for a career in the film industry. With tight, clever screenplays, and excellent direction, these are movies that you can enjoy time and again.
