The first trailer for Steven Knight's thriller Locke starring Tom Hardy has rolled out online and it shows promise for one of most intriguing movies of the year. Set entirely inside a car, the movie follows Ivan Locke - a man with a seemingly perfect life whose murky past comes back to haunt him.

Tom Hardy LockeTom Hardy's 'Locke' Is Set For Release on April 18, 2014.

Locke is forced to leave an important job in construction to drive to London and settle a personal matter that has been hanging over him for years. The 90-minute journey that feels much longer after he attempts to resolve a variety of issues that have arisen at work and home. He also finds himself talking to his late father. 

Having premiered at the film festivals in 2013, some critics have already had their say on the thriller.

"This is a masterclass in how the most local, most hemmed-in stories can reverberate with the power of big, universal themes," said Dave Calhoun of Time Out.

"An exceptional one-man show for Tom Hardy, this ingeniously executed study in cinematic minimalism has depth, beauty and poise," said Leslie Felperin of Variety.

"A virtuoso narrative and technical experiment that doesn't stint on dramatic complexity or heart," wrote David Rooney of the Hollywood Reporter.

Locke recently won the British Independent Film Award for Best Screenplay while also being nominated in two other categories. Peaky Blinder's Steven Knight writes and directs. The movie is set for release on April 18, 2014.

Watch the 'Locke' trailer here: