The experience has helped Reed with his writer’s block, but the manuscript, given the size of the document, appears to be a novella that he has specifically written for Emmy, possibly because it is the only way he can communicate as his jaw is still wired shut come the end of the film. Spoiler Alert! The film’s epilogue offers little in the way of closure or character insight. The character devolves into this hysterical maniac that seems incapable of concocting any time of sophisticated plan, much less what this simple breaking and entering should have been. It had me questioning how something didn’t show up in his relationship with Emmy to trigger warnings. He does have a monologue where he provides some insight into his actions and motivations but it seems a bit psychotic. The daughter and boyfriend character are equally as thin in terms of their characters and the boyfriend becomes more of a clinched stereotype. Plus, without the ability to speak he is unable to defend himself against these indictments and to a large extent remains a victim and never achieves an anti-hero status. Given the dire circumstances and what Reed goes through this viewer couldn’t shake off feelings of sympathy for the character. Still, for all his flaws we learn through deposition I never felt that there was something there to push his daughter over the edge to go to extremes. We get a sense that Reed has not been a good father, much less the ideal husband. The plot does offer the viewer small bits in the third act into Reed’s character and his relationship with his daughter Emmy. Sharp’s screenplay, unlike a Christie or a King story, lacks any substantial background to these characters in order for the viewer to be fully emotionally invested in the drama and peril. Stadel must convey thoughts and emotions without the benefit of dialogue as the character with the wired jaw. The film is shot in an interesting location and features three actors, one of whom is Blake Stadel as Reed Rodney. REVIEW: Filmmaker Alexander Sharp’s WIRED SHUT is an interesting mix of an Agatha Christie and Stephen King novel. By doing so he places himself in jeopardy to a life-threatening secret. He is surprised by an unexpected visit from his estranged daughter and decides to open up his home to her.
He is recovering in his remote mountain home from major reconstructive jaw surgery, leaving him unable to eat anything he can’t suck through a straw or talk. SYNOPSIS: Reed Rodney is a disillusioned bestselling novelist.