'Meander' Is A Taut, Claustrophobic Thriller That Explores A Labyrinth Of Emotions [Review]

Of the claustrophobic thrillers inspired by the 1998 cult classic, “Cube,” “Meander” might just be the greatest and most realistic. That realism is part of what makes this movie work because, as directed by Mathieu Turi, the film gives the audience the feeling of being trapped in a tight and confined space. And that feeling is as thrillingly unpleasant as it is a sweaty-palmed nightmare.

READ MORE: ‘Nitram’: Caleb Landry Jones Is Chilling In Justin Kurzel’s Portrait Of An Infamous Australian Mass Shooter [Cannes Review]

“Meander” brings a new perspective to the formula seen in previous claustrophobic features in recent film history. “Saw” is masochistic schlock, each death an excuse to spill more guts. “Escape Room” is more of the same, this time with clues and some decent characters to root for. “Maze Runner“…well, let’s not talk about “Maze Runner.” But Turi adds something to the maze we haven’t seen before, something the genre has sorely been missing—empathy.

In this film, the claustrophobia is metaphorical rather than physical now, as one woman tries to outrun her past by navigating a labyrinth of memory. Lisa (Gaia Weiss) is grappling with the death of her daughter, when a man offers her a ride in his red, muddy Ford F-250. As if the truck wasn’t a big enough red flag, a radio broadcast about a killer who drives a similar vehicle and has a tattoo on his hand is heard. Suddenly, the truck stops and Lisa flies through the windshield. Within a matter of seconds, a door slides open and the maze begins.

READ MORE: ‘Fear Street Part Two: 1978’: Leigh Janiak Hogs The 8-Track Player But Throws A Great Slasher Party [Review]

Lisa must crawl through the tunnels as fast as she can, squeezing through narrow gaps and learning the rules of the game as she goes along. She realizes that the clock on her wrist means “hurry the F up,” while the suit on her body is to protect her from balls of fire. The sound design hints at things to come (a muffled scream, a slimy creature), though nothing can prepare her for the arrival of her daughter. Is she real? Or is she just a memory, another obstacle she has to leave behind? The daughter appears, then disappears, then reappears.

This twist, coupled with the onslaught of moving obstacles, akin to Vincenzo Natali’s “Cube,” makes for a taut, terrifying thriller rooted in real-world stakes. Some of the twists and turns do take you out of the film, and the third act is reminiscent of an episode of “Wipeout” with pools of acid instead of pools of water. Through it all, what keeps the audience invested is the lead performance.

READ MORE: ‘Escape Room: Tournament Of Champions’: A Well-Crafted Sequel That Doesn’t Think Outside Of The Box [Review]

Weiss, often shunted to action movies or otherwise bland romantic roles, is far more interesting to watch when her emotions are allowed to surface, and “Meander” offers her the opportunity to explore that great range. Confronted with torture and tragedy every second, wrestling with her past, Lisa takes her obstacles, her killers, and her daughter’s death head-on. She’s determined to solve the puzzle, even if it means losing a few fingers along the way. Whether or not she does is beside the point. We’re just happy to watch her fight. [B]

“Meander” is in select theaters and on VOD now.