Lockbox – Movie Review (4/5)

LOCKBOX is a 2026 horror movie formerly known as Winthrop. This one has a great cast and a supernatural plot that surprised pleasantly. Based on its trailer, I expected it to be a run-of-the-mill horror mystery, but it was much better than I anticipated. Read our full Lockbox movie review here and find it in theaters!

LOCKBOX is a supernatural horror movie about possession, but not in the classic (stereotypical) way. The movie stars Carla Gugino, Lou Taylor Pucci, and Katharine Isabelle. With this cast alone, we’re off to a brilliant start. And yet, the trailer didn’t impress me much, so I was ready for a “just okay” experience.

Fortunately, we had only watched about 20 minutes of the screener before we (my Heaven of Horror editor and I) turned to each other and went: This is much better than I expected! And it really is, but I don’t want to give away too much as this is definitely a movie you’ll want to experience for yourself.

Continue reading our Lockbox movie review below. Find it in theaters from July 3, 2026.

Lots of wonderfully strange characters

With Lockbox, we meet several quite strange characters. The only “normal” lead character is Ellen, portrayed by Carla Gugino. She’s a woman living alone after having recently lost her mother, whom she was caring for in her final days.

Now, she’s living in a house alone, so when she’s asked to take in her cousin Winthrop (Lou Taylor Pucci), she immediately agrees. Everyone knows that life has not been easy for Winthrop, who is now dealing with PTSD after having been away on tours in wartorn countries.

Winthrop stays to himself and seems almost nervous about being able to keep himself in check, which – in turn – makes Ellen feel a little uneasy.

However, Winthrop’s somewhat reclusive and very quiet behavior is nothing compared to that of her new neighbor. She’s portrayed by the wonderful Katharine Isabelle, who clearly has fun playing this strange and virtually invasive woman.

Not only does she invite herself into the home of Ellen, but she also ends up sleeping at her house. Again, not because she’s invited, but because she just wants to, so she does. She is a neighbor from hell, but at the same time, she also seems a little like a wounded bird, and Ellen is a caretaker at heart.

In any case, this is just the onset of everything that will happen in Lockbox, which is very much a supernatural horror thriller, so get ready for a wild ride.

Loved the casting

On paper, Lockbox may sound like a hundred other horror movies. The trailer didn’t give me the impression that this would be anything interesting either. The cast, on the other hand, absolutely lured me in.

First, and foremost, I am always ready to watch virtually anything starring Carla Gugino. In recent years, she has been pure magic in everything from The Haunting of Hill House and The Haunting of Bly Manor to Gerald’s Game and The Fall of the House of Usher.

Yes, all of them are by one of my favorite genre directors: Mike Flanagan.

However, she also starred in Gunpowder Milkshake, Lisa Frankenstein, and Elizabeth Harvest. Oh yes, Carla Gugino stays busy, and I am very happy about that. With Lockbox, she delivers a strong performance that sets everything in motion.

Fortunately for this horror movie, the same has to be said for Lou Taylor Pucci (Evil Dead, Touch Me) and
Katharine Isabelle (Ginger Snaps, Backrooms). One plays a very laidback and quiet character, while the other is almost hyper. It creates a very unsettling vibe, perfect for this genre hybrid.

Watch Lockbox in theaters

Daniel Stamm is the director of Lockbox, which was originally titled Winthrop after the key character portrayed by Lou Taylor Pucci. Also, the movie is based on the Knifepoint Horror Podcast “The Lock Box” by Soren Narnia, so it makes sense to go with the title reminiscent of its origin.

Previously, Daniel Stamm has directed movies such as The Last Exorcism (2010) and Prey for the Devil (2022), so he seems an obvious choice for this story. And with this result, he clearly was the right choice! The screenplay comes from Justin Yoffe, who crafted a delicious supernatural possession storyline.

Another of Justin Yoffe’s screenplays has been produced and is currently in post-production. Once again, it’s based on something by Soren Narnia, but a short story instead of a podcast. The movie is titled Fiona (if that sticks), stars Steve Howey and Maggie Grace, and is directed by Nicholas McCarthy (The Prodigy).

I hope to see Justin Yoffe and Soren Narnia deliver a story as strong as for Lockbox, but whatever comes next from them, this is a really strong horror movie. If you enjoy horror movies that have solid plots, fascinating characters, a strong heart, and a great cast, then Lockbox is it!

I never expected to enjoy this movie as much as I did. Admittedly, there was something about the CGI that didn’t thrill me. However, I recognize that this is a choice, and my subjective feelings about this shouldn’t affect the overall rating. Enjoy!

Lockbox will be out exclusively in theaters on July 3, 2026.

Details

Director: Daniel Stamm
Writers: Soren Narnia, Justin Yoffe
Stars: Carla Gugino, Katharine Isabelle, Lou Taylor Pucci, Aedan Edwards, Donald Sales