I was watching the 1990 film Misery. I enjoyed it for many reasons, but something interesting about this film is that most of it takes place in one house. There are brief scenes outside of it with other characters, but it keeps bringing us back to this one location the main character is stuck in. Primarily one small room inside that location.
Reflecting on a few of my favourites, some of them have similar setups. Reservoir Dogs and Dog Day Afternoon come to mind. Even some films that I didn't love have really stuck in my mind for this reason (the first Saw film comes to mind). Trying to put my finger on why, I think it's because getting very familiar with this location that characters are stuck inside breeds empathy. I know the area as well as they do and it feels intimate and personal. It also lends a film to a slower pace that nurtures character development above all else.
I know in a series this would be called a "bottle episode" (I tend to love those too). Can anyone else relate to this preference? and can anyone suggest any "bottle movies" I might not have watched?