Lockbox Draws Early Backlash Over PTSD Portrayal Despite Strong Gugino Turn

Critics say the film reduces veteran trauma to a plot device that weakens its mystery and tone.

Overview

Lockbox, an adaptation of a Knifepoint Horror podcast episode directed by Daniel Stamm, opened in select U.S. theaters on July 3, 2026 and received mostly negative reviews from major outlets.
Multiple reviews say the film equates a veteran character’s PTSD with demonic possession and call that choice insensitive because it simplifies real trauma into a supernatural plot device.
Critics describe the screenplay as underdeveloped, saying the story stretches a short-form source without giving characters clear interior life or coherent stakes.
Carla Gugino’s lead performance is widely singled out as empathetic and steady, with reviewers arguing she often carries scenes that the script and direction do not support.
Reviewers also fault the movie’s execution for overly dark cinematography, poor visual effects, and generic sound design, and they suggest the early negative response could limit wider distribution and audience reach.