THE ELEVATOR is a simple made-for-TV suspense-thriller about a group of people trapped in an elevator with a claustrophobic criminal. I have to disagree with the negative reviews on here: the movie is suspenseful and does a good job ratcheting up the stakes. The criminal in the elevator is getting frantic, his accomplice trying to rescue him is willing to murder anyone who poses the slightest threat, and the elevator itself grows closer and closer to total collapse with every minute wasted. The characters, while simple, are well-played by the actors and likable enough to where you don't want to see them dead. The standout is Myrna Loy as an initially irritating but ultimately sympathetic and poignant old woman.
The atmosphere is tense-- you can feel the heat and unstated panic brewing in that elevator-- and the storytelling is very tight. The filmmakers establish all of the characters with economy and do not waste time in getting to the good stuff. While it won't blow anyone's mind, this is an underrated little thriller fans of old-school suspense will enjoy.