Director Denis Villeneuve (Polytechnique, Incendies), is well known for mixing the personal and the political, and in his new crime thriller Prisoners, he seems to blend the two again. Perhaps that’s why five Oscar nominees, including Hugh Jackman, Maria Bello, Viola Davis, Terrence Howard and Melissa Leo signed on for the film. Jake Gyllenhaal and Paul Dano also star.

Jackman plays a Boston father whose six year old daughter and her best friend disappear. The only clue is an old van that he remembers was parked suspiciously on his street. A young, brash detective, played by Gyllenhaal, is assigned to the case and does his job to bring in the van owner (Paul Dano), for questioning.  Without any evidence he is forced to release the suspect.

Believing the law has failed him, and feeling less than a man when his wife chides him for not being able to protect his family, a desperate father takes matters into his own hands and kidnaps the stranger. The parents of his daughter’s missing friend (played by Viola Davis and Terrence Howard), don’t agree with his plan, but, grieving themselves, they simply look the other way.

Prisoners is scheduled for a September 20, 2013 release.