“Panic Room” (Colombia, R) is one of those movies that will have you gripping the arm rests of your seat so hard that it will have permanent finger imprints.

Director David Fincher has yet to be a disappointment with his dark and eerie thrillers. It has gotten to the point where I could sit down and watch something, not knowing what it is, and still say “this has got to be a Fincher film.” From “The Game” to “Seven” to “Fight Club,” all of Fincher’s movies contain the same dark, mysterious atmosphere that will send chills up anyone’s spine. In fact, almost all of his movies take place at night or in dark places.

“Panic Room” stars Jodie Foster as a mother going through a divorce. Her husband has a lot of money, so she decides to milk him for all he’s worth by purchasing an expensive house. The house itself has multiple floors with a working elevator and, the most intriguing feature, a panic room. The panic room is completely safe from anyone and anything in the house. It is equipped with multiple monitors showing all parts of the house, an intercom system, a separate phone line and a door that locks everyone out.

On the first night Foster and her young teenage daughter stay in the house, burglars, who think the house is empty, break in. Each burglar has his own personality, and sometimes these personalities conflict with one another. Jared Leto plays the ringleader, the guy who organized the whole gig. He’s pretty cocky and short-tempered. You also may remember him as “Angelface” from “Fight Club.”

Forrest Whitaker plays Burnham, the mechanical expert of the group who makes a living by building panic rooms. He’s also the nice guy of the group because he doesn’t want to use violence to get the job done.

Lastly, there’s Raul, played by country singer Dwight Yoakam. He wears a ski mask to protect his identity. He’s also exactly what these guys need to rob a house. He’s a little crazy and carries a gun.

Since the burglars know there’s no way to get in the panic room, the objective is to get Foster out of there. “Panic Room” resembles a game of chess, with each team trying to one-up the other. The burglars do various things to lure Foster out of the panic room and she continuously counters with something to stun the burglars.

There are some great performances here by all cast members. Foster does a good job of playing that “un-hip, paranoid about her daughter’s health” mom.

When I think of what a burglar might look like, I now picture Dwight Yoakam’s face when his mask comes off. He plays the perfect burglar with his menacing look and careless attitude toward other people.

At the same time, Forrest Whitaker shows us that some burglars may have hearts after all.

The highlight of this movie, though, is the atmosphere and the cinematography. The camera work is simply amazing. There is one shot where the camera swoops up and down the house, gliding through coffee pot handles, into keyholes and through walls. With nearly the entire movie taking place during a rainy night, the atmosphere is very dark and unsettling. Sometimes it’s so dark you have to adjust the brightness level on your TV. Adding to the atmosphere is the eerie music score, containing the violin that is a must have for any suspense movie score.

While I was disappointed that the DVD didn’t have any deleted scenes or commentaries, I still think this is one of the best movies of the year. If you are a fan of Fincher’s other movies, definitely check this one out. Or, if you’re just in the mood for a little suspense, with a touch of gory violence, this one’s for you, too.

Keep ’em comin’, Fincher.