What would you do if your child was taken? What if you felt the police had the right suspect and for whatever reason was letting him go, letting him walk….letting him go free?

Hugh Jackman and Terrance Howard playing working class suburban fathers whose daughters are abducted on Thanksgiving. As the film plays out, we see how each man deals with the pain and grief and helplessness. One of them even goes so far as to abduct the lead suspect in the case, determined to beat the truth out of him.

As a parent, this movie was at times hard to watch. We all want to believe we are good people, but when the chips are down and our kids’ lives are on the line, what would we really do? Would we — could we — take the law into our own hands? This is one of the deep running questions throughout this intense film.

The acting, especially Hugh Jackman and Melissa Leo is top notch. If there is any where the film has flaws it’s in the endless stream of plot twists. It’s already an emotionally draining ride, so by the time the final reveal comes along, it may feel like a bit of a stretch.

That being said, it’s an intense and powerful movie from director Denis Villeneuve.

Read my full Prisoners movie review at Examiner.com

Release date: Sept. 20, 2013

Directed by: Denis Villeneuve

Written by: Aaron Guzikowski

Starring: Hugh Jackman, Jake Gyllenhaal, Terrence Howard, Viola Davis, Paul Dano, and Melissa Leo

Official website: prisonersmovie.warnerbros.com

Prisoners theatrical trailer

Trailer and photos are property of Summit Entertainment