Quartile rating: 6.5/10 · 1 rating
Two kids find themselves in the centre of a deadly game of cat and mouse after taking a sheriff's cruiser for a joy ride.
Cop Car is a lean, tense low-budget thriller that earns its tension through simplicity and strong performances, particularly Kevin Bacon's menacing corrupt sheriff. The premise is tight and efficiently executed, and the wide-open Colorado landscapes give the film a stark, sun-bleached atmosphere that suits its tone. However, the plot is fairly thin and relies heavily on its single hook, the ending is abrupt and unsatisfying in a way that feels underdeveloped rather than deliberately ambiguous, and while the film has a distinctive minimalist voice, it doesn't quite reach the level of true singularity. Acting is solid across the board but not transformative. Overall a competent, enjoyable B-thriller that punches slightly above its weight without fully distinguishing itself.