Storage Unit Showdown: Unit 234 Delivers Tight Thrills but Few Surprises - Review

There’s something reliably entertaining about a tight, late-night crime thriller, and that’s exactly what Andy Tennant delivers with Unit 234. Brainstorm Media’s new action thriller hits theaters and on-demand May 9, starring Isabelle Fuhrman (Orphan: First Kill), Jack Huston, and the forever-smooth Don Johnson.

Set almost entirely inside a rundown storage facility in Jacksonville, Florida, Unit 234 follows Laurie (Fuhrman), a young woman trying to figure out if she should leave behind her family’s dusty old business—or fight to keep it alive. Unfortunately, her night takes a wild turn when a gang of criminals shows up looking for a mysterious package tucked away in one of the units. Violence erupts. Secrets unfold. And Laurie has to survive long enough to find out what’s really going on behind all these steel doors.

From the start, Tennant leans into the claustrophobic setup, squeezing as much suspense as possible from the storage locker labyrinth. While Unit 234 doesn’t exactly reinvent the wheel, it does make the most out of its tight 86-minute runtime. Fuhrman does a ton of heavy lifting, literally—running, falling, climbing, getting tossed around—giving the role real physicality. (Props to her and stunt double Angel Leah Spitale for making it look legit.)

The effects? Nothing to write home about. The fights? Serviceable. But what keeps the film afloat are the performances. Don Johnson, playing the slippery ringleader, is as magnetic as ever, and Christopher James Baker (True Detective, Stargirl) once again proves he’s one of the best at playing chilling, soft-spoken villains.

The biggest knock? You’ll see the twists coming from a mile away. Once the plot gears up, the trajectory is pretty obvious, and there’s not enough tension to make the journey feel shocking or fresh. And yeah, it’s a little baffling that the police stay M.I.A. for so long despite all the chaos.

Unit 234 feels a lot like comfort food for crime thriller fans: not a standout meal, but still tasty enough to enjoy once you’re in the seat. It’s easy to imagine it doing well on VOD for a casual Friday night crowd craving simple shootouts and grimy betrayals.

Final Verdict:

2.5 out of 5 – Unit 234 isn’t groundbreaking, but it’s a decent watch if you like small-location, fast-moving crime thrillers anchored by strong actors.

Directed by: Andy Tennant

Written by: Derek Steiner

Produced by: Hadeel Reda, Blythe Frank, Lee Dreyfuss

Starring: Don Johnson, Isabelle Fuhrman, Jack Huston