Nothing more than chilling fragments. All as a best imitation of his abductors. Compare this to other crime thrillers like Silence of the Lambs or Seven or Girl With the Dragon Tattoo. Im pretty sure it was Keller. And yeah, Ralph is definitely a prisoner. To the point where it becomes undeniable that one theme of Us is the cultural state of America. Thats a great question! And theres a contrast to how their trauma expresses itself. Lokis neck is a badgeso along with your hypothesishis god is justice/prison. Then after Alex was let go, I think the police chief was hesitant to do anything more. I loved the movie and really appreciate you breaking it down like that. Ive had that happen and few times and it sticks with you. But I think most of what you said in Prisoners is within the realm of acceptable. Keller keeps Alex in a box thats similar to a confessional box. The book would lack meaning because it lacked any and all context. This is such a fantastic analysis. holly jones prisoners. Yeah, I had the same sense of spirituality. Maybe all of this is in reference to him being the best detective they have and always is able to close the case. For some (many?) That way people without a doubt understood the point was for the album to have a happy ending one way and a tragic ending the other way. So right there in the last names of the two main families, we see more religious references. The story is great. Barely talking. The two kidnapped girls. It references Loki killing Holly as detective David Loki. Police Chief Julian Fantino told a news conference that Michael Briere, 35, has been charged with first-degree murder. He was parked outside of his old house in the camper when the girls came by and got in the camper with him. It made writing the piece very cathartic. Grace originated, as a word, in France in the 1200s and soon after had a firm association with Christianity and the idea of virtue and receiving the favor of God. The pair began kidnapping children to turn the parents into 'demons' as they called it, forcing them to lose their mind and faith like they did. Weve talked about Graces name. Even though you assume thats whats probably going to happen, I like that theres a small chance that hes not going to get him out of there for whatever reason.. Mark just pointed that out in another comment! I thoroughly enjoyed it and now need to watch this movie again. Superintendent's Fax (601) 664-0782. Or in the movie Us, we have subterranean beings created by the government. Hey Mary! Crimes Duration: 10m 29s. Ralph tries to protest and is silenced by an outburst from Keller. When I watched I assumed that its contents were responsible for the heavy cognitive impairment that resulted in the state of the children upon their recovery at the hospital in addition to the mental trauma they suffered, and in the older victims contributed to a lifetime effect of mental vacancy and unresponsiveness seen in Alex. An upstairs bathroom could lose power but the bedroom down the hall might be on a separate breaker and still have power. So he went to speak with Alexs mom (Barrys mom). But its done in this subtly disorienting way to make you have a sense of, Waitwho was that guy and then hopefully figure it out and have an ah-ha! Holly secretly pulls out a pistol and begins shooting at Loki, who panics and manages to move our the way. I watched prisoners after its release and i was young so it felt just like another movie. A lot of hot-headed guys losing their minds and screwing things up in this movie. Your basically kidnapping/torturing someone who is going to kill your daughter if they are released. Pre-order Price Guarantee. The only thing I can think of is 1.) Hes essentially frozen by cognitive dissonance. People need people and people need grace. I also think it is highly unlikely that Taylor managed to break into both houses and steal the items without being noticed at all. We expect psychos to have weird obsessions like mazes. With the motifs in mind, we can finally get to what I think is the most interesting thing about Prisoners. That was a great analysis. Bob Taylor hears about the girls gone missing and plays kidnapper by doing weird stuff like showing up at the vigil and stealing clothes and burying mannequins in his yard (. Dover in his belief Alex Jones knows where the girls are. The Bob Taylor detail was one I didnt include in why response. Holly and her husband could have found comfort in one anotherinstead their crusade ends up resulting in both of their deaths. She was elected to her first two-year term in November 2022. Not to mention how tattoos relate to paganism and Norse culture. Keeping the source of these character names in mind, if you re-watch Prisoners you definitely pick up on some thematic subtext involving religion. Lokis name means: prison, to break, to end, fire, which is also an interesting connection with he movie. With all the opportunity to gush to the police about what happenedhe stays silent. It had happened in broad daylight, in the Junction Triangle neighborhood in west Toronto, and detectives would find out later there were witnesses. And since I am German, I really liked that you noticed that Keller is a Geman word which is cellar in English ? Their pain turns to anger at God, as such tragedy must have been His will. If you skipped right to his section, welcome! But then he remembers he had been at Holly Joness house and puts 2 and 2 together. Thank you my good people and a wonderful site for films discussion. Ive got something to add: The use of the maze not not only serves as a representation of the cognitive dissonance of those abused or references the form of the information as it is laid out; it is also a cyclical device to show the nature of violence (as Kassovitz said, la Haine attire la Haine, or hate breeds hate). I watched it a few years later and now 2021, the movie was on my Netflix suggestions pool, I was half in for watching it and I didnt.. woke up today and first thing was to figure out the story. The filmmaking is great. Facebook gives people the power to. I like your version of Loki saving him from hell of his own making but in spite of wonderful reasoning by Loki, what would have happened had Keller not listened to Alex when he was released and then not imprisoned and tortured him until he said they are in the maze? I love it that youre so active in the comments and engaging with readers, it encourages me (and hopefully other readers) to revisit movies with new perspectives in mind and discuss further. They recognised them because Bob Taylor breaks into each of the girls houses and steals them. Its a silly, basic example but the opening of The Lion King is the rising sun. Holly Jones is the main antagonist of the 2013 thriller film Prisoners. There is a scene at the end of the film when Loki saves the little girl and the culprit shoots him, injuring him, then his blood flow into his eye. Takes them both to work out the solution. (601) 932-2880. Alias Its a really great movie. I read a few explanations after watching the movie and this was the best and most cohesive one! Thats what Joys remembering. By visiting his former home, he must remember a time before he was entrapped! The film stars Hugh Jackman, Jake Gyllenhaal, Viola Davis, Terrence Howard, Maria Bello, Melissa Leo, and Paul Dano. And it never really changed. Anyway just brilliant write up. 303 East Church Street Post Office Box 69 919-894-3616 919-894-2091 . Was that really Keller or was that someone else, and was she confused because of all the drugs she used bc of Holy. Excellent insight, Jasmine! Gyllenhaal was just OK, not especially convincing. After the police let Alex go, Keller kidnaps Alex. Because of that, Kendricks life turned out 1,000% different than it would have had he grown up without a dad. Holly Maria Jones (September 14, 1992 - May 12, 2003) [1] was a 10-year-old child abduction and murder victim from Toronto, Ontario, Canada. That would explain why Alex/Barry and especially Bob Taylor were unable to put together their memories and what it meantmaybe making them feel responsible and guilty. And later, Alex tells Keller They didnt cry until I left them (more on that in the next section). Additionally, this would explain the necklace. Germanic paganism/mythology (of which Norse is an offshoot) put great symbolic importance on trees and forests and stones. Thats why Keller being a carpenter, just like Jesus was, cant be a coincidence, I think. Also loved seeing ppl comment on this masterpiece of a movie from so long ago. Will Loki put 2+2 together and save Keller? I assumed that it was Bob and he was referring to when he was captured by the police in the van at the rest stop. Now if Nocturnal Animals didnt have flashbacks, if we only saw Adams read this book and get emotional but otherwise live her life normallythat wouldnt work. I wonder if perhaps he was strangled by a snake for a time, causing a lack of oxygen in his brain, which could also add to the severe mental damage he displays. Absolutely brilliant analysis, I wouldnt ne surprised if it is the best lne there is. Another thing is the significance of showing the prepper mindset and taking everything in his own hand and his general lack of trust in higher authorities including police and perhaps even more broadly God, and how that changed when he was in the most helpless situation in what he prepared nothing for, and yet found that red whistle which will save his life. Bob Taylors house has mazes drawn on the walls. You start the movie in a place of ignorance but end with a sense of superiority in understanding the who, what, when, how, and why. He isnt innocent here. By not showing Kellers rescue, were left with a choice: do we have faith in Loki or dont we? I also have a question. A character whose first scene is talking about Zodiac signs. But keep up the good work! Instead of tracks 1-14, listen 14-1. If Keller could figure it out, it was just a matter of time before Loki did too. Why does a seasoned police officer with no unsolved cases stare at a suspect to the point of spooking him, or sit in a roadway blocking traffic until he draws attention himself? The current owners would would have been creeped out. Theyre prisoners, right? Bob somehow escaped, but the memories kept him from telling the police. And it seems he gets clothes to dress the mannequins. Kidnapping thrillers often lull us into a sense of safety in the opening sequences, showing the normal rhythms of life that will soon be shattered. So the star on Det. Someone who seems like the kidnapper but isnt the killer broke into both our homes and took our kids clothes. Especially after Loki pretty much blew off Graces report about someone coming into their house. Martin Luther No text message will ever replace the first kiss. Alex Jones also refers to a maze. I could see something like him initially being reunited but then the DA drawing up charges later. And can be argued is another example of being in a prison. I was confused when Alex said that he was waiting for a man to come back and he never did. He writes about complex movie endings, narrative construction, and how movies connect to the psychology of our day to day lives. The film has an ensemble cast including Hugh Jackman, Jake Gyllenhaal, Viola Davis, Maria Bello, Terrence Howard, Melissa Leo, and Paul Dano. So, maybe after recalling what Annas mother said, he might be able to link that to the sound of the whistle at Hollys house and try to find Keller. This would explain why Alex was not able to drive the van. She clearly loved her son so much since his death broke her sanity and stripped her of any morals. So hes doing what he should do and giving her a chance to surrender. Despite her knowing all this, remembering all of this, what does she express? Hey Craig! Residence: Asheville. Cornton Vale I believe. Best. Alex reunited with parents??? Experienced Human Resources professional with a Law Degree focused on Labor & Employment Law coursework. So his full name only reinforces the combination of religions. How could Keller have been there too? The Birches certainly seemed far more resilient than the Dovers, who were breaking in different ways. Just that Alex went to see his old house, which is near the Birchs house. Though, as the movies ends before Loki saves Keller, that sense of catharsis is something Prisoners denies us. I read somewhere Lokis first name is David its on a screen or card thats flashed in one of the scenes. He seemed very alive at the rescue, yelling for help. Its full of images relating to Christian iconography and references. The breath. Ill press one step furtherhow do we know Alexs old house is somewhere near the Birchs house? Holly Jones What makes Loki go there specifically? Suspect Arrested in Holly Jones Murder. What if deep down he DOES want her to go to jail! Alex may have become too attached to Holly and the only home he had known for many years. Hes essentially trapped in being the caretaker for his mom. Which is why he ends up taking his own life. Because Holly cant steal children easily on her own, fewer children go missing. It just points at a larger abandonment issue Alex has. So while Grace may seem like a simple name, its not. Snakes are the tempter on the Bible? Even with her husband gone, Holly doesn't stop and abducts Joy Birch and Anna Dover. Hey again! Keller having Alex captive. It is the key that ties the entire movie together. Absorbing film, but the one thing that bothers me is that the whole film rides on Alex not talking, and I dont buy it. Also, I wanted to add that it is mentioned that Alex had an accident with the snakes. And even if all four parents were confused when they looked at the items which is highly unlikely the investigators should have noticed that according to the parents the items in Taylors possession were not worn by the girls on the day of their abduction.