Emma Donoghue's 2010 novel Room seems like a tricky story to adapt. As the title implies, most of it takes place in a small, claustrophobic space; it's also narrated by 5-year-old Jack, whom readers slowly realize is being held captive along with his mother, known only as Ma. The book was inspired by the case of Elisabeth Fritzl, who was held prisoner by her father for 24 years and forced to bear seven of his children -- not exactly the stuff of Hollywood dreams.
Somehow, though, director Lenny Abrahamson managed, and his take on Room looks like a sober but gripping take on Donoghue's bestseller. (It probably helps that Donoghue also wrote the film's script.) Brie Larson stars as Ma; child actor Jacob Tremblay takes on Jack, a boy who knows nothing but the four walls around him until his mother decides it's time to plan a daring escape.
It also stars William H. Macy, Joan Allen and Deadwood's Sean Bridgers, who plays Old Nick, the man who trapped Jack and Ma.