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The last couple of weeks in August are typically a rough road for movie fans as the studios use the time to dump the cinematic dregs that they figured were too weak to survive during either the summer box-office derby or the equally competitive fall awards season during a period when they might conceivably make a few bucks off of audiences willing to sit through anything new at the multiplex. Trust me, films don't get much dreggier than " No Escape ," a dreadful and creepily exploitative would-be thriller, low-grade trash that it is too silly and stupid to be as offensive as it frequently comes close to being throughout.

Owen Wilson plays Jack Dwyer, a down-on-his-luck businessman who hopes to reverse his sagging fortunes by packing up his entire family—ridiculously patient wife Annie ( Lake Bell ) and adorable moppet daughters Lucy and Beaze ( Sterling Jerins and Clare Geare)—to work in the clean water program of some massive American conglomerate in their outpost in an unnamed Asian city. (Although never identified by name, the film was shot in Thailand, a fact that probably will not be stressed too heavily in their Chamber of Commerce videos, though it will probably get heavy play in the ones produced by neighboring countries.) The family has hardly landed in their hotel room when things start to go sideways—the television, phone and internet are out and when Jack ventures out the next morning in search of a newspaper, he winds up in the middle of a brutal street clash between police and protesters before barely making it back to the hotel.

As it turns out, revolutionaries angered over the recent American takeover of their water plant have murdered the corrupt prime minister, overthrown the government and are now hell-bent on finding and murdering any and all foreigners stranded in the chaos. The Dwyers manage to make it to the roof of their hotel—a favorite of visiting Americans—but they are strafed by gunfire from a helicopter and are forced to make their escape by leaping to the roof of the building next door. Now, stuck in a country where they don't speak the language and where nearly everyone wants to kill them on sight, the Dwyers struggle to stay alive until they can figure out a way to get out of the country. Helping them from time to time is Hammond ( Pierce Brosnan ), a mysterious Brit who always manages to turn up just when the script requires an improbable rescue.

With its clunky filmmaking, overt sadism (with the expected shootings, slashings and burnings augmented by an attempted rape and a little girl being forced at gunpoint to shoot her own father) and borderline xenophobia, one might assume that "No Escape" was the latest film from Eli Roth . In fact, it is the brainchild of fraternal filmmakers John Erick and Drew Dowdle , whose past collaborations, including the American version of "Quarantine," "Devil" and " As Above, So Below ," have told stories about ordinary dopes struggling to escape from a confined space while being menaced by some terrifying menace or another. "No Escape" may shift their genre focus from horror to action and the size of the confined space may have expanded but other than that, the film (which John directed and Drew produced with the two collaborating on the screenplay) is basically the same. As has been the case with their previous efforts, the results this time around are pretty dire—the screenplay is bad boilerplate with the occasional lapse into outright buffoonery (I have seen comedies that have not inspired the kind of laughs that resulted at the screening I attended when Jack asks his wife " You okay " after a particularly hair-raising moment), the characters we are meant to be rooting for are bores and the action is never especially exciting—but the way in which it treats its ostensibly serious subject in such a flip and exploitative manner is far more offensive than anything they have offered up before.

Even if you can work your way around the potentially distasteful notion of examining the problems of the Third World through the eyes of accidentally inconvenienced First Worlders, you still have to deal with the fact that the film is so uncommitted to its ostensible cause that it not only neglects to identify the country in which it is set, presumably so as not to offend any potential ticket-selling market, but refuses to give any voice (other than " Kill Kill ") to the those doing the revolting, preferring to see them as nothing more than faceless hordes hell-bent on slaughtering anyone who comes across their path. Then again, it is perhaps just as well that the screenplay eschews the political aspects for the most part because the one scene in which they come to the forefront—in which the Pierce Brosnan character relates the evils of American companies who come in and seize Third World industries in order to maximize profits—is an absolute embarrassment that drags the already poky proceeding to a dead halt from which it never recovers. 

Dramatically inert, unintentionally funny (especially during the largely incompetent usage of slow-motion photography that borders on parody at times) and almost pornographically violent at time, "No Escape" is an ugly, ugly film from which no one emerges completely unscathed. For Wilson, this is a strange throwback to the days in which he was shoehorned into genre films (such as " Anaconda ," " The Haunting " and "Behind Enemy Lines") that were uncomfortable fits for his laconic charms and for Brosnan, this is the latest in a depressingly long string of films in which he is far superior to the material that he has been given to work with. Why they would choose to appear in something so pandering, mean-spirited and manipulative is beyond my ability to compute but for whatever reason, the end result is that they have landed in one of the most unpleasant films of the year. 

Peter Sobczynski

A moderately insightful critic, full-on Swiftie and all-around  bon vivant , Peter Sobczynski, in addition to his work at this site, is also a contributor to The Spool and can be heard weekly discussing new Blu-Ray releases on the Movie Madness podcast on the Now Playing network.

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Film Credits

No Escape (2015)

103 minutes

Owen Wilson as Jack Dwyer

Lake Bell as Annie Dwyer

Pierce Brosnan as Hammond

Sterling Jerins as Lucy Dwyer

Spencer Garrett as Recruiter

• John Erick Dowdle
• Drew Dowdle

Cinematography

• Léo Hinstin

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Movie Review

Review: ‘No Escape,’ Starring Owen Wilson as a Man in the Cross Hairs

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By Daniel M. Gold

• Aug. 25, 2015

In 2001, already developing a comic acting career, Owen Wilson tried to stretch. In “ Behind Enemy Lines ,” he played a naval aviator shot down and pursued by bloodthirsty Serbian paramilitary units. Not quite an action hero, he conveyed the intense fear and desperation of a fugitive in the cross hairs.

Now Mr. Wilson returns for run-for-your-life seconds. In “ No Escape ,” he is again in hostile territory, as Jack Dwyer, an engineer who has joined a multinational corporation after his own company failed, and is moving his family to an unnamed Southeast Asian country. As brave a front as he and his wife, Annie (Lake Bell), put up for their two young daughters, they know the situation is bad. Of course, it’s about to get much worse.

Movie Review: ‘No Escape’

The times critic daniel m. gold reviews “no escape.”.

As “No Escape” begins, the Dwyers are landing, befriended on their flight by Hammond (Pierce Brosnan), a seatmate with the rough beard, fresh scars and randy cheer of an old post-colonial hand. When Jack takes a walk out of their luxury hotel the next morning, he’s caught in a clash between the police and mobs, then scrambles back minutes before anti-Western revolutionaries go room to room, slaughtering foreigners. From that point, the film is a series of fight-or-flight set pieces of the panicked family trying to stay alive.

Directed breathlessly by John Erick Dowdle (“ As Above/So Below ”), the movie is filled with jittery shots from hand-held cameras, and hurtles along at a pace that is especially helpful in racing past the holes in the paper-thin plot. Hammond shows up fortuitously to provide small-arms fire, temporary haven and a plan to get out.

For Mr. Wilson, this is probably just a detour from his usual comedic roles . Mr. Brosnan, though, continues to shed the smooth and silky customs of his James Bond days. Among the most terrifying scenes is an early shot of Mr. Brosnan in the hotel bar, shouting lyrics to a Huey Lewis tune. Oh, the horror.

“No Escape” is rated R (Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian) for much blood, gore and menace. And that karaoke number.

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Film Review: ‘No Escape’

A violent uprising in Southeast Asia absolutely ruins an American family's best-laid plans in this misbegotten thriller.

By Justin Chang

Justin Chang

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If J.A. Bayona’s survival epic “The Impossible” seemed a bit callous in suggesting that the chief victims of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami were those well-to-do Westerners who chose the wrong week for a Thai holiday, it still looks like a model of human compassion and ethnic sensitivity next to “No Escape.” This latest thriller from director/co-writer John Erick Dowdle (“Devil,” “As Above, So Below”) is a technically accomplished, morally rank slab of cultural exploitation about an American family caught up in a violent uprising in an anonymous Southeast Asian country — one whose dark-skinned natives are on hand to kill and be killed, but who could otherwise scarcely be of less dramatic concern or interest to those behind the camera. Grittily propulsive filmmaking and solid performances from Owen Wilson and Lake Bell aside, there’s no escaping the movie’s hand-wringing manipulations and pandering sense of privilege — which might, of course, be precisely what it takes to encourage decent niche returns for this Aug. 26 Weinstein Co. release.

This is neither the first nor the last time Hollywood has tackled Third World chaos from a First World perspective, turning a far-flung (and fictionalized) national trauma into a movie on that most important and universally relatable of subjects, the sufferings of good-looking, well-meaning white people. Yet the picture’s refusal to specify exactly where its events are taking place, or to clarify the nature of its central conflict, feels like a particularly craven copout under the circumstances. Originally titled “The Coup,” “No Escape” began shooting on location in Chiang Mai, Thailand, in 2013, amid an escalating political crisis that would lead to the country’s military insurrection in 2014; the recent  deadly bombing of a religious shrine in Bangkok  is merely one in a horrific series of violent episodes that have erupted since. Taking pains to avoid any similarities between life and art (if that’s the word), the director and his brother/producer/co-writer, Drew Dowdle, have removed any and all references to Thailand, steering clear of anything that would project a negative image of the country where they shot (and where, despite online rumors of a ban, the film is set to open theatrically in September).

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And what do specifics matter, anyway? After all, the script (faintly inspired by a non-life-threatening trip that John Eric Dowdle took to Thailand in 2006, shortly after a military coup) is banking on an audience willing to identify solely and completely with the characters’ fish-out-of-water confusion. Wilson plays Jack Dwyer, a businessman from Austin, Texas, who has taken a last-resort job in Southeast Asia with some soulless bastion of American capitalism, under the naive assumption that the company will be improving water quality in the region. Not long after he arrives with his patient but anxious wife, Annie (Bell), and their young daughters Lucy (Sterling Jerins) and Beeze (Claire Geare), Jack finds himself on the sidelines of a street conflict between Molotov-cocktail-wielding protesters and police officers, their riot shields marked with upside-down Cambodian letters that further frustrate any sense of the movie’s geography.

Frightened and uncomprehending, Jack makes his way back to his wife and kids at the hotel, which is in a state of violent siege: Ordered to kill any foreigners they come across, the armed rebels go from room to room and making quick, vicious hackwork of the guests. Amid lots of quick cutaways to nameless, faceless corpses, Jack and his family somehow climb their way to the hotel roof, where they and other survivors enjoy a brief respite from the horrors unfolding below. In short order, however, the Dwyers will be forced to defy the movie’s title and make a hasty exit, sustaining injuries and earning a few unintended laughs along the way. Dowdle is hardly the first director to make the mistake of applying slow-motion when it would be better to keep the action moving too quickly for viewers to get their bearings, or think too hard about what they’re watching.

Indeed, not thinking is perhaps the best way to approach “No Escape,” which unfolds in a key of panic, terror and emotional extremity over the course of an exhausting 102 minutes. For an audience willing to suspend disbelief and temporarily adopt the movie’s blinkered perspective, it’s easy enough to feel gripped by the Dwyers’ nightmarish ordeal on a moment-to-moment basis, aided by the jittery physicality of the filmmaking and the actors’ unswerving commitment to the material. As a man who puts his family in harm’s way yet makes up for it in fierce protectiveness and self-sacrifice, Wilson isn’t playing against type so much as against genre, and his goofball-everyman persona works well enough in this disorienting context. Bell, similarly known for her comedic chops (“In a World … ,” “Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp”), is even better in a performance whose elemental display of maternal ferocity may occasionally remind you of Naomi Watts in “The Impossible.”

It must be said that the Dwyer daughters, through no fault of the fine young actresses portraying them, don’t always elicit the same level of concern from the audience. The girls’ frequent protests (“I’m hungry,” “I have to go potty”) are a necessary reminder that kids remain kids, even in times of crisis, yet they also give unintended voice to the profound cluelessness — the childishness, even — of the story’s worldview. And the film itself, for all its pretensions to realism, runs more and more off the rails as it keeps yanking the characters out of hiding and thrusting them in harm’s way. It’s a strategy that increasingly depends on our seeing the locals as little more than knife-wielding, rape-threatening savages, to which the only reasonable response is to question the sadism of those behind the camera.

Which is not to imply that “No Escape” is entirely devoid of a social conscience. At a certain point, Pierce Brosnan turns up in a grizzled beard and a tropical shirt, like a James Bond who’s come out of retirement, to protect the Dwyers and kick a few rebel butts. But his real job, where the audience is concerned, is to unpack the moral, political and economic consequences of Western imperialism and the role that he played in turning Thailand — sorry, whatever it’s called — into a frenzied hotbed of violence and revolution. “Guys like me pave the way for guys like you,” he tells Jack with grim finality, utterly oblivious to the possibility that the movie he’s appearing in might be part of the problem.

Reviewed at Wilshire screening room, Beverly Hills, Aug. 12, 2015. MPAA Rating: R. Running time: 102 MIN.

• Production: A Weinstein Co. (in North America) release, presented in association with Bold Films, of a Brothers Dowdle production. Produced by Drew Dowdle, Michel Litvak, David Lancaster. Executive producers, Gary Michael Walters, Jeffrey Stott, Andrew Pfeffer, Steve Alexander. Co-producer, Chris Lowenstein.
• Crew: Directed by John Erick Dowdle. Screenplay, John Erick Dowdle, Drew Dowdle. Camera (color), Leo Hinstin; editor, Elliot Greenberg; music, Marco Beltrami, Buck Sanders; music supervisor, Dan Wilcox; production designer, Arvinder Grewal; costume designer, Annie Bloom; casting, Eyde Belasco.
• With: Owen Wilson, Lake Bell, Sterling Jerins, Claire Geare, Pierce Brosnan. (English, Thai dialogue)

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'No Escape' reviews: What are the critics saying?

It’s been a long time since Owen Wilson pulled on his action-hero boots, and his tenure as an easy-going dude in romantic comedies theoretically suits his character in No Escape . After all, when the audience sees Wilson and his family obliviously stumble into a violent uprising in some unspecified southeast Asian country, where roaming rebels target white foreigners like himself, it’s not difficult to think, “Whoa, what in the hell is the guy from Wedding Crashers and Midnight in Paris going to do when he gets cornered by that man with the bloody machete?”

Wilson, his unhappy wife (Lake Bell), and their two daughters have just arrived for his new corporate job far, far away from home when the violence explodes, and their only ally in the mayhem is a weary ex-pat with a specific set of skills (Pierce Brosnan). At its core, then, the film is about a family, and what an average Joe like you or me would do to keep loved ones safe in the most horrible of circumstances.

Unfortunately, No Escape , which is directed by John Erick Dowdle ( Quarantine ), is being tarred by reviews that are not only negative, but include the never-good labels like “xenophobic,” “sadistic,” and “racist.” “This thriller … is a zombie movie in form and function,” writes EW’s Kevin P. Sullivan, in his D review . “But here, the bloodthirsty hordes aren’t undead — they’re just citizens of an unidentified Asian nation who are given no depth or motivation beyond wanting to kill innocent white people.”

To read more of Sullivan’s review and a sampling of other critics from across the country, scroll below:

Kevin P. Sullivan ( Entertainment Weekly ) ▼

“Even ignoring the racism — which is pretty much impossible — No Escape is a cliché-ridden, artless relic.”

Walter Addiego ( San Francisco Chronicle )

“The film has an air of clumsiness that detracts from our enjoying the spectacle of Owen Wilson as an action hero, and relishing the (limited) presence of Pierce Brosnan, amusing as usual. No Escape is simply about run and hide and run again.”

Peter Keough ( Boston Globe )

“This latest film by brothers John Erick and Drew Dowdle might talk liberal milksop politics, but what it shows on the screen is the same old hatred and fear of the alien other. No one watching will be thinking about U.S. culpability when some freak with a machete gets his head bashed in by a desk lamp. No Escape is a tense but utterly predictable exercise in Western xenophobic paranoia and guilt.”

Justin Chang ( Variety )

“The film itself, for all its pretensions to realism, runs more and more off the rails as it keeps yanking the characters out of hiding and thrusting them in harm’s way. It’s a strategy that increasingly depends on our seeing the locals as little more than knife-wielding, rape-threatening savages, to which the only reasonable response is to question the sadism of those behind the camera.”

Jake Coyle ( Associated Press )

“The action, too, is breathless, as Jack leads his family (sometimes with the help of Pierce Brosnan’s CIA agent) from one close scrap to another, never pausing for a deeper understanding of the turmoil, always elevated by the easy suspense of children in peril. Around them fall countless victims. But their stories aren’t part of No Escape . They’re just exotic scenery.”

Stephanie Merry ( Washington Post )

“As the movie wears on, however, the gore is increasingly over-the-top, as each of the family’s encounters with bad guys becomes more and more sickening. Meanwhile, every Asian character is either a ruthless murderer or anonymous collateral damage. A lot of locals have to die, the film suggests, in order for one white family to survive.”

Gary Goldstein ( Los Angeles Times )

“Wilson proves surprisingly effective as an everyday man of action yet retains enough of his trademark wry charm to feel real. Bell is also quite good as a supportive wife forced to fight and face a few harsh truths about human behavior. Brosnan, charisma intact, makes the most of his limited screen time [but] feels too minor and wedged in here to truly matter.”

Daniel M. Gold ( New York Times )

“For Mr. Wilson, this is probably just a detour from his usual comedic roles. Mr. Brosnan, though, continues to shed the smooth and silky customs of his James Bond days. Among the most terrifying scenes is an early shot of Mr. Brosnan in the hotel bar, shouting lyrics to a Huey Lewis tune. Oh, the horror.”

Richard Roeper ( Chicago Sun-Times )

“Brosnan’s a hoot playing a grizzled ex-pat who wears a tiger’s tooth around his neck, sports a variety of nasty scars and talks of once having had a family of his own. It’s as if his James Bond had been booted from the MI6 in favor of a guy who looks like Daniel Craig, and now he’s skulking about in the shadows as a gun for hire.”

Stephen Dalton ( Hollywood Reporter )

“The characters are two-dimensional at best, or no-dimensional when it comes to the nameless Asian bad guys, bloodthirsty savages straight out of Team America: World Police . But Dowdle shows a confident hand in the action scenes, which mostly have the kinetic, hand-held, visceral feel of genuine war-zone reportage.”

Ignatiy Vishnevetsky ( The A.V. Club )

“ No Escape attempts to interject some commentary about unchecked Western business interests while trying its darndest to offend no one in particular. The result is as incoherent as the movie’s action scenes. Whether the Dwyers are trapped on a hotel roof or wading through a crowd of marchers in disguise, Dowdle … manages to find a way to lose momentum or undercut suspense.”

Overall Metacritic rating (1-100): 39

Rotten Tomatoes: 41 percent

Length: 101 minutes

Starring Owen Wilson, Lake Bell, Pierce Brosnan

Directed by John Erick Dowdle

Distributor: The Weinstein Company

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No Escape Review: A Terrifying, Brutal Nightmare

The nightmare scenario depicted in No Escape is so terrifying, even the most skeptical viewer will be enthralled.

No Escape is a sensationalist film with questionable racial overtones. But it is also utterly gripping and visceral. There are moments of dread that will have your eyeballs glued to the screen. The nightmare scenario it depicts is so terrifying, even the most skeptical viewer will be enthralled. No Escape is brutal, no holds barred; with disturbingly realistic violence . The trailers only hint at the carnage that awaits. Writer/director John Erick Dowdle ( Quarantine ) takes his horror roots to a riveting new level.

Owen Wilson stars as Jack Dwyer, an engineer starting a new life with his family in Asia. His wife ( Lake Bell ) isn't happy leaving their lives behind, but she puts on a brave face for their plucky daughters (Claire Geare, Sterling Jerins). The film begins with the Dwyer family in flight and encountering a cheerful passenger ( Pierce Brosnan ). Who is kind enough to give them a ride to their hotel, when Jack's company mysteriously doesn't pick them up at the airport.

Settled into their suite, the Dwyer's hear thunderous noises in the distance. The phones aren't working. The internet and cell service is down. The television is static. The following morning, Jack ventures outside to pick up an English newspaper. Then the horror of their situation becomes apparent. The country is in revolution. Bandana clad rioters are attacking the police, killing tourists , and the locals that cater to them. Jack barely gets back to the hotel before it is under siege by the rebels. He races to the room to get his family, but is horrified that his oldest daughter has gone swimming in the hotel pool. Surrounded by bloodthirsty enemies in a strange and hostile environment, the Dwyer's embark on a primal journey to survive.

No Escape is very effective in drawing you into the moment. The tension is expertly calculated. Chaos and violence come in every direction. The unexpected, merciless nature of each scene crashes into you like a wave. There is a particularly harrowing scene where Jack is forced to throw his daughters from a rooftop. The sheer panic from the children will hit you like a punch in the gut. Literal gasps were coming from the audience in the theater. This may seem like a cheap gimmick. But it is not. The premise is clear. This family is a target. They will be killed, and not quickly, if caught. Jack's constant refrain to his terrified children is that they must always be ten steps ahead.

The savagery depicted is all the more troubling because the children are front and center. I've already revealed one spoiler. But trust me, it gets much worse. The climax with the daughters is very disturbing. The sad irony is that the violence here isn't a fantasy. From Isis to Boko Harem, the idea of children being used as pawns in conflict is prescient. The performances from the child actors are first rate. The filmmakers and the adult ensemble are excellent in framing the younger performers. There isn't a second of No Escape that I found the players unbelievable.

The racial disparity of the film has to be addressed. The Dwyer's are a white family in an Asian country. You're never told where they are, but the assumption is Thailand. There are no Asian characters of substance, except for the token, selfless sidekick (Sahajak Boonthankit). Every other Asian is either killing, getting killed, or extras. I firmly understand that the draw of this movie is the perilous fish out of water scenario. But it would have been nice, and a little politically correct, to have Asian characters of substance. I truly believe you could have the same plot with genuine Asian parts.

No Escape is a pleasant August surprise. It is a rollercoaster thriller to the core. Dowdle's script, direction, slick use of slow motion, and a capable cast make No Escape a must see. Although, I'm very curious to see how this film is received abroad. It may be broadly stigmatized for its racial perspective.

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Movie Review – No Escape (2015)

September 1, 2015 by Gary Collinson

No Escape , 2015.

Directed by John Erick Dowdle. Starring Owen Wilson, Lake Bell, Pierce Brosnan, Sterling Jerins, and Claire Geare.

In Southeast Asia an American family get caught amidst a violent political uprising. Amongst the upheaval and unrest Jack (Owen Wilson) and Annie (Lake Bell) Dwyer spend forty-eight hours on the run. As protests turn to bloodshed and embassies burn their options begin to run out…

This could be the smartest piece of casting all year. By using proven character actors, a convincing female lead and children who can act John Eric and Drew Dowdle have done two things. Not only does No Escape feel like a seriously grounded thriller similar to Oliver Stone’s ‘Salvador’. It also manages to hit believable character beats without feeling contrived. Meaning that after a honeymoon period of less than fifteen minutes No Escape hits the ground running. Serving up palpable tension which only increases as riots spill onto the streets and things really kick off.

Through the use of handheld cameras and close quarters framing there is an inherent sense of claustrophobia which is invasive. A feeling which never lets up, but instead slowly increases to a point where we drift into Deer Hunter territory. By never getting caught up in the reasons behind this uprising, John Eric and Drew Dowdle have crafted an old school thriller akin to The Killing Fields . Allowing Owen Wilson, who is without doubt the biggest surprise here, to play an ‘everyman’ action hero without losing his charm or appeal.

Wilson sketches Jack Dwyer as a family man and provider, exhibiting steely determination and savage survival instincts under pressure. There is no point he looks less than comfortable in this role, drawing upon a reserve of kickass nobody knew existed. This should quite rightly open more doors into the realm of action hero family man, if such a sub-genre exists. Elsewhere Lake Bell continues her ascendance into the arena of A-lister with ease.

Drew Dowdle has given Bell more to work with here, as Annie Dwyer is far from the token female in peril which many hacks might churn out. Resourceful and equal in many ways to her husband, Bell keeps pace with their situation without things feeling forced. Others have said No Escape belongs to Bell and I can see their argument, but performance relies as much on the writing as any physical interpretation on-screen. But ultimately Lake Bell deserves at least top billing alongside Wilson and Brosnan here, as this really is an ensemble piece. Which brings me nicely on to the wild card. Who not only pistol whips his way through this film with a smile but provides comic relief. And yes I did say comic relief.

In creating Hammond he has added another string to his bow. Coming across like a working class huckster over for the Asian nightlife and sexually exotic shenanigans. Brosnan is an anomaly for a majority of this film. Part South London secret agent mixed with the moral ambiguities of an East end mobster on sabbatical. He playfully subverts his double o seven days, defining a character with economy and style. If Wilson and Bell are the King and Queen here, then Brosnan is that final ace which turns from good into potentially great.

By changing it up, brothers John Eric and Drew Dowdle have given us something tried and tested yet fresh and exciting. After their manipulation of horror conventions in As Above, So Below , No Escape takes the best elements of classic thrillers and turns in something unique. In a year which sees the return of Star Wars , No Escape gives us hope for cinema beyond the comic book franchise. I am not one for hyperbole but this is what film making should be about.

Flickering Myth Rating  – Film: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ / Movie: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?list=PL18yMRIfoszEaHYNDTy5C-cH9Oa2gN5ng&v=8k_v0cVxqEY

About Gary Collinson

Gary Collinson is a film, television and digital content producer and writer, founder of the pop culture website FlickeringMyth.com, and producer of the upcoming gothic horror feature film 'The Baby in the Basket'. He previously spent a decade teaching and lecturing in film and media, and is also the author of the book 'Holy Franchise, Batman! Bringing the Caped Crusader to the Screen'.

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Content Caution

In Theaters

• August 26, 2015
• Owen Wilson as Jack Dwyer; Lake Bell as Annie Dwyer; Pierce Brosnan as Hammond; Sterling Jerins as Lucy Dwyer; Claire Geare as Beeze Dwyer; Sahajak Boonthanakit as Kenny Rogers

Home Release Date

• November 24, 2015
• John Erick Dowdle

Distributor

• Weinstein Company

Movie Review

This could be a great new start for Jack and Annie Dwyer and their kids. True, moving to something of a third-world Southeast Asian country will be a considerable shock to their Texas-born sensibilities, but they’ll adapt.

It’s exotic, after all. And it’s a great opportunity, too. Jack’s employer, Cardiff, is a big and prosperous multinational company with execs who are mostly Americans. So it won’t be totally foreign.

But for the moment, we’re still stuck on the adapting part of the equation: Their first morning there, Jack had to walk five blocks from their hotel just to find a paper in English. It was three days old. OK. He can deal with that in exchange for all the good laced through this adventurous reassignment.

It wasn’t really until he got caught up in a mob-vs.-police confrontation in the crowded streets that Jack felt his first pang of real concern. As he made his way back to the hotel and things grew to the size of a riot, he grew worried. And when his walk turned into a panicked scramble that wound up with another American being executed right in front of him, well, Jack was officially scared out of his Adidas.

Turns out there was a coup the night before. The prime minister was assassinated. And the country is now totally toxic to all foreigners. As the populace rampages and Westerners are being butchered in the sweltering streets, it becomes apparent that the Dwyers have made a very big mistake coming here. It’s time to get out.

If that’s even remotely possible anymore.

Positive Elements

The Dwyers were a close-knit family to begin with. Now the turmoil of their situation and almost torture-level torment unleashed upon them by the angry locals bonds them even more. They repeatedly and tearfully speak of their love for one another. Jack and Annie cling to their children, and each other, throughout—when one starts to falter, the other is instantly there to lend support. In fact, when Jack thanks Annie for sticking by him but laments the outcome of that choice, Annie lists all the many familial blessings she would have missed if her life had been any different. “If we die tomorrow, it would have been all worth it,” she tells him. So it almost goes without saying that this mom and dad devotedly put their lives on the line for each other and their kids.

A British expat named Hammond spots something in this family, too. He has a checkered past, but in a sort of self-redemptive effort he strives to help the Dwyers, even to the point of dying to protect them. Several locals also risk helping the Dwyers, even though that puts them in danger.

Spiritual Elements

We see several shrines and Eastern religious statues in building windows and in a large garden area.

Sexual Content

We see Annie in a bikini top. Hammond talks leeringly of the “charms” of local women and his decision to go to a “strip joint.” One scene hints at the idea of women being trafficked into prostitution and Hammond’s “appreciation” of them.

Violent Content

A thug punches Annie, slams her down on a flat surface, rips open her shirt (showing her bikini top) and moves to rape her. (He’s stopped.)

For the majority of this film ruffians riot, destroying buildings and property. They kill police, government officials, hotel employees and Westerners with guns, machetes and bludgeons. Blood spews and splashes.

A tank shoots shells into a business building, demolishing ceilings and floors and killing its occupants. A helicopter opens fire on a crowd of innocents before getting tangled in a wire, crashing and exploding. Men are executed at point-blank range with a bullet to the head. Crowds pummel policemen with clubs and machetes. People of all ages are slapped and beaten. Many of the shot and beaten lie in pools of their own blood. We see bloodied corpses scattered around the streets and in buildings and hotel rooms. One thug with a machete in hand is shown covered in blood spatter and standing over the dead. Four men are forced to kneel in the street where they’re executed by a speeding truck. (The camera cuts away just before impact.) A man is engulfed in a firebomb’s flames. Another slices his own throat open.

Jack and Annie are both forced to kill to protect their family. (They are horrified by the necessity.) Jack throws both of his young daughters across what looks to be a 10-foot span between rooftops. With a gun pushed against her head, one of the young girls is ordered to shoot someone. Anguished, Annie listens to the screaming of another family being attacked and killed.

Crude or Profane Language

About a dozen each of f- and s-words. Jesus’ name is abused (once), as is God’s (a couple of times). There are one or two each of “h—,” “d–n” and “b–tard.”

Drug and Alcohol Content

Hammond downs shots and gets visibly drunk at a bar. He also smokes hand-rolled cigarettes. Jack drinks a beer. Hammond escorts the Dwyers through an opium den (we see drugged men smoking the narcotic) on the way to finding a safe hiding place.

Other Negative Elements

Hammond is a man of lies. He tells the family they’re eating seasoned chicken, for instance, when it’s really boiled dog. It’s revealed that the U.S. and British governments, along with corporate entities, had a hand in causing the local coup and unrest.

People who love, understand fear. They know vulnerability. For there’s always going to be some threat to the people you love in this volatile earthly existence—from determined predators to dangerous accidents. And if you’re a parent raising a young child, that fear and worry is multiplied exponentially. That’s a fact of nature.

And it’s a fact that turns No Escape into something of a horror film.

This pic presents a world chock-full of bloody rage, inhuman mob violence and foul profanity. And that’s bad enough to sit through all on its own. But it gets its real terror from the fact that we can so closely identify with parents Jack and Annie.

Like us, they’re no action heroes. They’re certainly courageous and resourceful. But they’re not trained to defend themselves against mobs of rabid killers. They don’t pack assault rifles with extra clips. They’re just packing a pair of shell-shocked young girls and trying to find some way out of the hell around them. They’re willing go to any length, leap any chasm to shield their loved ones, even if they have to do it with little more than their own lacerated flesh.

We understand that. Intrinsically. Deeply. And it makes this film scarier than any monster mash. It makes it immersive, driving, life-affirming, disturbingly ugly and white-knuckle terrifying, all in equal measure.

After spending more than two decades touring, directing, writing and producing for Christian theater and radio (most recently for Adventures in Odyssey, which he still contributes to), Bob joined the Plugged In staff to help us focus more heavily on video games. He is also one of our primary movie reviewers.

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No Escape review: Owen Wilson and Lake Bell suffer boggle-eyed panic attack

Comedy staples adopt worried faces as parents fleeing with their kids from foreign unrest in this weirdly dubious action thriller

G oing abroad is stressful. Sometimes the food’s weird and the weather’s discombobulating, the language is a devil and the locals are unfriendly. Your energy gets sapped. In a knackered fuzz you could start to blame the foreign culture for making you feel this way. If you were feeling really resentful, you might write a film a bit like No Escape.

A daft thriller that sprints along fuelled by xenophobia, No Escape is the fifth collaboration between writer-director siblings John and Drew Dowdle. It’s inspired by John’s 2006 trip to Thailand, which coincided with a peaceful military coup. His holiday carried on without event, but out of that potential danger the brothers have spun a ludicrous yarn: a boggle-eyed panic attack set in an unnamed east Asian country with locals that are mystical or hysterical or both.

Owen Wilson plays Jack Dwyer, a Texan water company executive who’s dragged his family – wife (Lake Bell) and two young daughters – out to Unspecified Foreign Place for work. The Dwyers land, jetlagged and hungry, in the middle of a violent coup. A mob has waded into their hotel and is systematically executing anyone not wearing a bandana, waving a machete and screaming. Office jockey Jack must overcome his gee-shucks everymannerisms and become enough of an action hero to get his family away from the murderous locals.

The opening’s promising. A follow-shot through the hotel slowly makes it clear that Unspecified Foreign Place’s leader is in mortal danger, but we’re not sure from who. The tension’s handled deftly. When the leader eventually falls it’s a shocking and grisly end, one that the Dowdles know how to exploit.

It’s a breathless muddle from there. The odd plus point – Wilson’s surprisingly strong action chops, Lake Bell’s solid performance as a terrified mom – are spoiled by the archaic tone. The kids are annoying and the comic relief – a country music-loving local who calls himself Kenny Rogers – mildly offensive. Pierce Brosnan pops up as the Dwyer’s tour guide to terror, a booze-addled “businessman” whose sleazy zeal quickly, predictably gives way to Bond-lite gunplay once the revolution starts.

The Dowdles want you to take No Escape with a pinch of salt. The 70s title sequence, the kitsch pop references, the casting – they’re supposed to seem knowing in their silliness. But it’s hard to get away with such broad stereotyping without coming across as crass or cynical. This doesn’t feel like a pastiche, just a trip back to the past. Don’t drink the water.

• Owen Wilson
• First look review
• Pierce Brosnan

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‘No Escape’ Movie Review

No Escape is a highly disturbing, pulse-pounding action thriller that finds Owen Wilson transforming into an unlikely everyday superhero dad able to scale tall buildings almost in a single bound to keep his wife and two young daughters safe from a vicious mob. Actually, make that not just a vicious mob but an entire country out to kill all Americans because they’re involved with a company that’s done the country wrong.

A film completely devoid of any gray areas, No Escape is an us against them action movie with the ‘us’ made up of four adults and two children (played quite convincingly by Claire Geare and Sterling Jerins), and the ‘them’ everyone else in the film.

In addition to Jack Dwyer (Wilson) protecting the kids, Lake Bell becomes a tigress in full fight mode playing Annie Dwyer, a woman ill-equipped to handle a move to a foreign country (think Cambodia, but it’s never named). For Pete’s sake, this is a woman who brought along her own rice cooker; that’s how completely clueless she is about approaching life in a country bordering Vietnam (which is actually named, so we know they’re near it). Pitching in to save the day is Pierce Brosnan as a hard-drinking, party-hardying womanizer who makes friends with the family pretty much the minute they step off the plane. If you assume that somehow he’ll be involved in helping them later in the film, you’d be correct. That’s not a spoiler because it’s obvious. Blatantly obvious.

And the fourth adult who’s allowed to display a personality in No Escape is a cab driver (played by Sahajak Boonthanakit) who is bizarrely obsessed with pre-cosmetic makeover Kenny Rogers.

Really, there’s nothing to the story although the Dowdle Brothers attempted to inject political commentary into the plot. I say “attempted to” in that if you were to actually buy into the political commentary they’re attempting to sell, you’d flee from No Escape 15 minutes into the movie because of how broadly it paints the good guys, the bad guys, and the faceless mob who are mowed down by bullets without a pause to reflect the implications of their horrific slaughter.

Normally, I’d suggest you pay attention to the exposition and seek to empathize with someone, anyone, in order to get invested in the story. In this case, you don’t need to bother with any of the reasoning behind the actions. You’ll root for the family because they’re strangers in a foreign land just trying to get home after being thrust into a life-or-death battle that wasn’t their doing. You’ll root for Pierce Brosnan and Sahajak Boonthanakit because they’re the film’s comic relief, a team that steps up when the family is threatened.

In no way is No Escape light entertainment. This is an extremely dark film, more so than you could possibly expect from viewing the trailers. When you don’t believe the situation could get any worse for the family, it takes a nauseatingly brutal turn in a direction you never anticipated it could go. The family’s terror is contagious, oozing off the screen and finding its way into your pores even in the relative safety of a darkened theater.

But, again, it’s necessary to take this film at face value. View it as an action-packed thriller that’s not reflective of any actual political views, race, or moral issues and only as the story of a family attempting to find their way out against impossible odds. The Dowdle Brothers have created a suspenseful, heart-wrenching, adrenaline-charged thriller featuring terrific performances from all of the lead actors, young and old.

MPAA Rating: R for strong violence including a sexual assault, and for language

Running Time: 103 minutes

Release Date: August 26, 2015

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The Hollywood Outsider – Film and Television Podcast | Reviews An award-winning film and television podcast for the fan in all of us

No Escape (2015) | Movie Review

Scott Clark August 24, 2015

One of the more intriguing types of films to me is one that opens my eyes to unfamiliar cultures or climates from around the world.  Every once in a while, I like having that constant reminder of just how good I have it living in the country that I do.  “ No Escape ” – which stars Owen Willson, Lake Bell, and Pierce Brosnan – was not only one such movie, but also quite a surprise.  Although the final act went a bit off the rails in terms of ridiculousness, I found it to be a visceral experience, and I don’t remember sitting on the edge of my seat for such extended periods of time in quite a while.

The plot of the film is one of those “wrong place at the wrong time” scenarios.  Jack Dwyer (Wilson) uproots his family from their home in Texas for a new career after his near-breakthrough invention failed stateside.  The four – which include his wife Annie (Bell) and their two daughters – immediately face the stark realization of just how rough it is to live in a third (or fourth) world country.  This goes beyond simple misunderstanding due to “lost in translation” moments.  Their new home country not only lacks the luxuries that they are used to, but also has the over-looming threat of violence which can erupt at a moment’s notice.  And erupt it does. The Dwyer family finds themselves in the middle of a regional coup that forces them to run for their lives from a group of seeming mercenaries who executes any and all foreigners that they can track down.  What transpires is a horrific thrill ride that kept my eyes glued to the screen with barely a chance to breathe.

One of the biggest reasons I wanted to see this film so much was because I was interested to see Owen Wilson play a character that strayed from his usual dopey shtick he almost ceremoniously delivers in romantic comedies.  As someone who had never seen “Behind Enemy Lines”, it was a totally new and refreshing experience to see him utilize his humor only in appropriate family situations.  If you had told me a few years ago that I would buy him as a total badass protecting his family from machine gun-wielding political radicals, I would have laughed in your face.  But I did. Wilson totally sold me as a man who would do anything for his family.  Lake Bell as Annie was equally impressive, even though she hasn’t been nearly as type-cast as Wilson.  The two worked particularly well together, as I never doubted for a second that the four Dwyers were actually family, one of the film’s greatest strengths as your belief in their unity is paramount to your sympathy.

The one character I expected to stick out like a sore thumb was Pierce Brosnan’s “Hammond”, a friendly character the Dwyers met on the flight from the U.S. who helps them find their way in this foreign land.  His story gets more involved towards the end, but I mostly appreciated Brosnan’s performance as one of the more interesting characters he’s played in some time.  At times, however, it did appear as though he was summoning his inner-Bond, substituting his tuxedo for Hawaiian shirts.

What really drove “No Escape” home for me was the atmosphere that director John Erick Dowdle (“Quarantine”, “As Above, So Below”) has created.  The first three-fourths of the movie in particular had some of the most intense, nail-biting scenes I’ve seen this year. The violence felt real, the hatred felt warranted, and the brief moments of solace between the action felt like a welcomed relief each time.  My only real complaint is that towards the end, the story took a slightly different turn that kept this from being what I would otherwise consider to be a near-perfect movie.  I don’t want to run the risk of spoiling the plot, but the action in this final reel reaches ridiculous levels that actually detracted from the intensity.  I found myself wishing different, daring decisions were made by the characters to make it a much more bold piece of work.  However, I wouldn’t consider it a fault of the film, nor a reason to avoid it.

Hollywood Outsider Movie Review

Story - 7.5, production - 8.5.

If $10 is the full price of admission, No Escape is worth $8

Scott Clark The Hollywood Outsider

Tags no escape owen wilson pierce brosnan

About Scott Clark

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Common sense media reviewers.

Generic, violent social media-themed horror story.

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

Movie is about social media and "need" to generate

Main character is a self-obsessed livestream inter

Brief scenes of women being tortured. Characters a

Couple in bed together. One character leaves anoth

Strong language includes "f--k," "s--t," "p---y,"

Multiple vodka shots and social drinking, brief dr

Parents need to know that No Escape (formerly titled Follow Me ) is a gory but unsurprising horror/thriller about a livestream internet star who goes to a deadly escape room in Russia and finds himself in over his head. The violence isn't quite at "torture porn" levels, but women are threatened and…

Positive Messages

Movie is about social media and "need" to generate more views, more likes, more subscribes via increasingly intense content. Unfortunately, it has little to say on the subject other than stating the obvious.

Positive Role Models

Main character is a self-obsessed livestream internet star whose main concern is "content." He has a group of friends, but they seem assembled around him rather than with him. Very little indication of teamwork or friendship. Cast is somewhat diverse, but main character is a White male.

Violence & Scariness

Brief scenes of women being tortured. Characters are shot, blood spurts shown. One character beats another to death, slamming his head on ground. Naked corpse shown; character cuts into the corpse with a scalpel, removes a key from the bloody entrails. Other blood and gore shown. Characters strapped into various torture devices, given electrical shocks, nearly drowned, killed with saw, shoved down elevator shaft. Guns are drawn and used to threaten. Table full of bloody torture tools. Man threateningly hits on a woman in a bar. Bar fight with grabbing, shoving.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Violence & Scariness in your kid's entertainment guide.

Sex, Romance & Nudity

Couple in bed together. One character leaves another's hotel room in the morning. Same-sex and opposite-sex kissing. Sex-related talk. Naked male corpse, penis shown.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Sex, Romance & Nudity in your kid's entertainment guide.

Strong language includes "f--k," "s--t," "p---y," "motherf----r," "bitch," and "idiot," plus exclamatory use of "Jesus Christ," "oh my God."

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Language in your kid's entertainment guide.

Drinking, Drugs & Smoking

Multiple vodka shots and social drinking, brief drug-snorting in a nightclub.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Drinking, Drugs & Smoking in your kid's entertainment guide.

Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that No Escape (formerly titled Follow Me ) is a gory but unsurprising horror/thriller about a livestream internet star who goes to a deadly escape room in Russia and finds himself in over his head. The violence isn't quite at "torture porn" levels, but women are threatened and subjected to torture devices, including electric shock mechanisms and tanks filling with water. Characters are killed, and there's plenty of blood and guts. Viewers will also see guns/shooting and fighting. It's suggested that characters are having sex (a couple lies in bed together, and one leaves another's hotel room), and there's kissing. Strong language includes "f--k," "s--t," "p---y," "motherf----r," and more. Characters enjoy vodka shots and snort drugs in a nightclub. To stay in the loop on more movies like this, you can sign up for weekly Family Movie Night emails .

Where to Watch

Videos and photos.

Community Reviews

• Parents say (1)
• Kids say (1)

Based on 1 parent review

Decent movie

What's the story.

In NO ESCAPE, Cole ( Keegan Allen ) is a successful vlogger who heads to Russia with his team to celebrate the vlog's 10th anniversary. They plan to do a show-stopping broadcast inside the ultimate escape room. While they're out enjoying themselves in a nightclub, Russian gangster Alexei (Ronen Rubinstein) starts harassing Cole's girlfriend, Erin (Holland Roden), leading to a fight. The next day, the escape room proves to be rather intense, as Cole is forced to dig a key out of a corpse, and his friends -- including Samantha (Siya), Dash (George Janko), and Thomas (Denzel Whitaker) -- are locked into torture devices. When the game ends and the timer runs out, the friends still can't seem to escape -- and more horrors await.

Is It Any Good?

A vague copycat of the successful Saw franchise formula, this horror/thriller lacks interesting puzzles, likable characters, and memorable shocks and has an unsettling level of violence toward women. The generically titled No Escape -- which originally had an equally generic title, Follow Me -- focuses on a group of diverse friends, though they seem forced together by the script, rather than sharing an organic chemistry. There's very little personality in any of them. Cole is self-obsessed and thinks only about "content," but the movie doesn't have any idea how to satirize or comment on him. That's just who he is.

The movie's various puzzles and deaths manage to be uninteresting and not particularly gory or shocking, but at the same time it's a little too interested in inflicting nastiness on the female characters. And the grand finale is sadly all too predictable, because the movie gives away the answer early on in a specifically placed line of dialogue. (It's also pretty dumb.) All of this adds up to a pointedly unmemorable movie, largely springing from the fact that it's next to impossible to care. No Escape will inspire viewers to head for the nearest and most accessible exit.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

Families can talk about No Escape 's violence . Is it thrilling? Shocking? What's the difference?

What's the appeal of horror movies? Why do people sometimes like to be scared?

What does the movie have to say about social media celebrity? Is it glamorous? What are the downsides?

What values are implied or shown in the movie's sex -related moments?

Movie Details

• On DVD or streaming : October 20, 2020
• Cast : Holland Roden , Denzel Whitaker , Keegan Allen
• Director : Will Wernick
• Inclusion Information : Female actors
• Studio : Vertical Entertainment
• Genre : Horror
• Run time : 92 minutes
• MPAA rating : R
• MPAA explanation : bloody violence, grisly images, pervasive language, some graphic nudity and brief drug use
• Last updated : February 16, 2024

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

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Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.

No Escape Review

03 Sep 2015

103 minutes

This preposterous family-in-peril thriller hurls Owen Wilson, Lake Bell and munchkin kids into a bloody Asian coup. As they’re hunted by faceless death squads, the tone becomes so apocalyptic you swear you’re watching a zombie movie in flip-flops, as if the mob’s been infected by an anti-American rage virus. Maybe that’s what John Erick Dowdle intended but his film exists in an overblown Taken fantasy world: at one point, Wilson ‘saves’ the kids by throwing them off a hotel roof. It’s that kind of movie. Pierce Brosnan’s mercenary comes to the rescue whenever the screenplay writes itself into a corner, chewing an accent caught somewhere between Sydney and Sidcup.

The 25 Best Movies Like 'No Escape', Ranked By Fans

Looking for heart-pounding action and suspense? Dive into a thrilling cinematic experience with movies like No Escape , featuring intense plots, high-stakes situations, and adrenaline-pumping excitement. These films were chosen because they share similar themes and tones to No Escape , captivating audiences with their gripping narratives and impactful performances. The movies on this list have been compiled using votes from Rankers like you, ensuring a diverse selection of action-packed options that are sure to keep you on the edge of your seat.

Imagine being swept into a world where survival is the ultimate challenge, where danger lurks around every corner and only the strongest can endure. Films like Die Hard and Taken deliver that adrenaline rush, immersing viewers in a journey of resilience, courage, and relentless determination. With compelling storylines and dynamic characters, these movies push boundaries and explore the depths of human strength in the face of overwhelming odds.

From pulse-pounding escapes to heart-stopping confrontations, the films on this list offer an exhilarating mix of action and suspense that will leave you craving more. Whether you're a fan of intense thrillers or gripping survival tales, these cinematic gems like A Good Day to Die Hard provide a rollercoaster of emotions and excitement that will keep you glued to the screen. Don't miss out on the opportunity to vote up your favorite movies from the list and discover where to watch them with the convenient streaming buttons below. Get ready to experience the thrills and chills of these captivating films that will have you at the edge of your seat until the very end.

The American

In the dramatic thriller The American , Jack (George Clooney), a skilled weapon maker and assassin, finds himself on the run in Italy after a mission goes awry. As he navigates a dangerous world of espionage and deceit, Jack must confront his past, evade pursuers, and reckon with the consequences of his actions. With danger lurking at every turn, Jack must rely on his cunning and survival instincts to outwit those who seek to destroy him.

Similar to the protagonist in No Escape , Jack from The American is ensnared in a deadly cat-and-mouse game fraught with deception and peril. Jack's calculated and methodical approach, paired with his battle-tested skills and haunted past, propels him into a harrowing journey of self-preservation and redemption. Through a backdrop of suspenseful intrigue and moral ambiguity, The American paints a compelling portrait of a man thrust into a treacherous mission where trust is a luxury and survival is the ultimate prize.

• # 431 of 675 on The Best Movies Roger Ebert Gave Four Stars
• # 33 of 34 on Great Movies About Very Dark Heroes
• # 24 of 39 on The Best American Movies

In Die Hard , Bruce Willis stars as John McClane, a New York cop who finds himself battling a group of terrorists in a Los Angeles high-rise building during a Christmas party. The film is a classic action-thriller, filled with explosive set pieces, witty one-liners, and a charismatic lead performance. The supporting cast includes Alan Rickman as the villainous Hans Gruber and Bonnie Bedelia as McClane's estranged wife.

Just like in No Escape , the protagonist of Die Hard is a fiercely protective father who will stop at nothing to ensure the safety of his family. Willis's portrayal of John McClane showcases a man who is willing to face insurmountable odds and danger head-on in order to keep his loved ones out of harm's way. The film's heart-pounding action and clever plot twists make it a thrilling rollercoaster ride of a movie.

• Dig Deeper... Is 'Die Hard' A Christmas Movie? The Internet Is Divided As The Debate Rages On
• # 15 of 769 on The Most Rewatchable Movies
• # 24 of 375 on The Best Movies Based On Books

The Impossible

The Impossible recounts the true story of a family vacationing in Thailand when they are caught in the catastrophic 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. Separated by the destructive force of the waves, Maria (Naomi Watts) and Henry (Ewan McGregor) must navigate the chaos and devastation to reunite with their children amid the ruins of the natural disaster. The film explores themes of survival, family bonds, and resilience in the face of a life-threatening crisis.

In a parallel to No Escape , The Impossible follows characters who are thrust into an unexpected disaster scenario and must confront a deadly threat in a foreign land. The family's desperate journey through the chaos of the tsunami mirrors the tension and urgency of individuals faced with extreme danger and the fight for survival. Through a backdrop of devastation and heart-wrenching challenges, the film captures the raw emotions and the human spirit's capacity for endurance in the most dire circumstances.

• # 333 of 675 on The Best Movies Roger Ebert Gave Four Stars
• # 24 of 138 on The 100+ Best Disaster Movies Of All Time
• # 126 of 168 on The 165 Best Tearjerker Movies of All Time, Ranked

Run All Night

In Run All Night , Liam Neeson plays an aging hitman whose estranged son, portrayed by Joel Kinnaman, becomes a target of revenge for a powerful mob boss, played by Ed Harris. The film is a gritty action thriller that explores themes of redemption, family loyalty, and the consequences of a life lived in the shadows. With supporting performances from actors like Common and Vincent D'Onofrio, Run All Night delivers intense action sequences and emotional stakes.

Just like in No Escape , Run All Night features a protagonist who is plunged into a deadly situation that puts his loved ones at risk. Neeson's character must confront his violent past and protect his son from relentless enemies, showcasing the protagonist's desperation and determination to shield his family from harm. The film's high-octane thrills and poignant character dynamics make it a riveting and emotionally resonant entry in Neeson's action-packed filmography.

• # 77 of 94 on The 90+ Best Mafia Movies Of All Time
• # 5 of 15 on The Best Liam Neeson Action Movies
• # 16 of 17 on The Most Underrated Action Movies Of Modern Action Stars

In Taken , Liam Neeson stars as a retired CIA operative who must rescue his daughter from a human trafficking ring in Paris. The film is a pulse-pounding action-thriller that showcases Neeson's skills as a formidable action hero, as he uses his particular set of skills to track down and eliminate the villains. Co-starring Maggie Grace and Famke Janssen, Taken is a gripping and intense film that explores the limits a parent will go to in order to protect their child.

Just like in No Escape , Taken follows a protagonist who will go to extreme lengths to keep his family safe from harm. Neeson's character in the film demonstrates a relentless pursuit to rescue his daughter, showcasing the unwavering determination and fierce parental instinct that drives him to risk everything for the sake of his family. The film's fast-paced action sequences and emotional core make it a thrilling and memorable entry in the action genre.

• # 167 of 769 on The Most Rewatchable Movies
• # 72 of 138 on The Best Rainy Day Movies, Ranked
• # 30 of 191 on The Best Movies For Men

The Foreigner

The Foreigner stars Pierce Brosnan as a former IRA member-turned-government official who becomes entangled in a vendetta with a grieving father seeking revenge for his daughter's death in a bomb attack. Tensions escalate between the two men, as secrets from the past resurface, leading to a dangerous game of cat-and-mouse where lives hang in the balance. The film combines elements of action, thriller, and revenge drama, exploring themes of guilt, redemption, and the cost of violence.

In a parallel to No Escape , The Foreigner showcases Pierce Brosnan in an intense action-oriented role where he portrays a character embroiled in a deadly conflict with a vengeful adversary. Brosnan's performance captures the complexities of his character's past and present struggles, highlighting the emotional depth and intensity of the narrative. With its blend of suspenseful storytelling, moral ambiguity, and explosive action sequences, The Foreigner delivers a gripping tale of personal vendettas and the harrowing consequences of crossing paths with a determined and relentless protagonist.

• # 29 of 81 on The Best Movies About Being Outnumbered
• # 1 of 14 on 14 Underrated Action Movies About Characters Pulled Out Of Retirement
• # 4 of 14 on Action Movie Characters Who Woke Up And Chose Violence

In Nobody , Bob Odenkirk stars as an unassuming family man who reveals a hidden talent for violence when his family is threatened by a group of Russian gangsters. The film is a darkly comedic action thriller that explores themes of revenge, masculinity, and family loyalty. Co-starring Connie Nielsen and RZA, Nobody is a gritty and entertaining take on the classic revenge story.

Similar to No Escape , Nobody features a protagonist who undergoes a transformation in order to protect his family from dangerous adversaries. Odenkirk's character evolves from an ordinary suburban dad into a ruthless and resourceful fighter, willing to do whatever it takes to ensure the safety of his loved ones. The film's blend of humor, action, and emotion makes it a gripping and unpredictable ride from start to finish.

• # 34 of 54 on The Most Horrifying Home Invasion Movies
• # 1 of 16 on 16 Underrated Modern Action Movies That Pack A Punch
• # 2 of 14 on 14 Underrated Action Movies About Characters Pulled Out Of Retirement

Lucky Number Slevin

In Lucky Number Slevin , Josh Hartnett plays a man caught in a case of mistaken identity between two crime lords, played by Morgan Freeman and Ben Kingsley, leading to a dangerous game of revenge and deception. The film is a twisty neo-noir crime thriller that explores themes of manipulation, revenge, and moral ambiguity. With a stellar ensemble cast, including Bruce Willis and Lucy Liu, Lucky Number Slevin keeps viewers on the edge of their seats with its intricate plot.

Similar to the film No Escape , Lucky Number Slevin features a protagonist who is thrust into a perilous situation beyond his control. Hartnett's character faces escalating danger and intricate machinations as he navigates through a web of deceit and betrayal, showcasing the protagonist's resilience and resourcefulness in the face of overwhelming odds. The film's clever narrative twists and dynamic performances make it a captivating tale of survival in the criminal underworld.

• # 36 of 101 on The Best Movies Of 2006
• # 47 of 63 on The Very Best New Noir Movies
• # 2 of 17 on 17 Mid-Tier Action Movies With Surprisingly Stacked Casts

Anaconda is a thrilling action-horror film that follows a documentary film crew led by Terri Flores (Jennifer Lopez) as they encounter a deadly giant snake in the Amazon rainforest. Stranded and hunted by the monstrous anaconda, the crew must fight for survival against the relentless predator in a high-stakes battle of wit and brawn. The movie blends elements of adventure, suspense, and horror, exploring themes of man versus nature and the primal instinct to survive in the face of a monstrous threat.

Similarly to No Escape , Anaconda is an action-packed survival movie that places its characters in a life-or-death situation against a formidable adversary. Owen Wilson, who plays Danny Rich in the film, embodies the role of a resourceful and determined individual caught in an encounter with the gargantuan anaconda. The film's pulse-pounding tension, perilous jungle setting, and intense confrontations mirror the high-octane excitement of a protagonist battling to overcome a lethal danger in a hostile environment.

• Dig Deeper... Over 20 Years Later, 'Anaconda' Is Still A Delightfully Dumb Cinematic Experience
• # 14 of 71 on The Scariest Animal Horror Movies Ever Made
• # 55 of 95 on The 100+ Best Movies Of 1997

In the dark and twisted thriller Oldboy , Joe Doucett (Josh Brolin) is mysteriously imprisoned for years and then released, setting the stage for his path of revenge against those behind his captivity. As Doucett delves into a web of secrets and betrayal, the film delves into themes of redemption, violence, and the human psyche's darker aspects.

Similar to the journey depicted in No Escape , Oldboy portrays Doucett's intense mission-driven narrative as he navigates a labyrinth of challenges to achieve his quest. Driven by an overwhelming desire to uncover the truth and settle old scores, Doucett's determination and cunning tactics lead him through a morally complex tale of a man relentless in his pursuit of retribution.

The Equalizer

In The Equalizer , Denzel Washington stars as a former black ops operative who comes out of retirement to help a young woman, played by Chloë Grace Moretz, escape from a brutal Russian gang. The film is a stylish action thriller that delves into themes of justice, redemption, and the cost of taking a stand against evil. With supporting performances from actors like Marton Csokas and Melissa Leo, The Equalizer blends intense action with a moral core.

Similar to the film No Escape , The Equalizer features a protagonist who is thrust into a dangerous situation where he must use his skills to protect those in need. Washington's character becomes a force of retribution, facing off against ruthless adversaries in order to safeguard the innocent, showcasing the protagonist's unwavering commitment to justice and integrity. The film's slick visuals and intense action sequences make it a compelling and thrilling ride through the world of vigilante justice.

• Dig Deeper... The Best Quotes From 'The Equalizer,' Ranked
• # 48 of 191 on The Best Movies For Men
• # 33 of 98 on The Best Movies Based On TV Shows

A History of Violence

In A History of Violence , directed by David Cronenberg , Viggo Mortensen plays a man who is forced to confront his violent past when he becomes the target of dangerous criminals. As he fights to protect his family, he must grapple with themes of identity, redemption, and the consequences of violence. The film also stars Maria Bello and Ed Harris in supporting roles.

Similar to the film No Escape , A History of Violence follows a character who is driven to extreme measures in order to protect his loved ones. Mortensen's character goes to great lengths to shield his family from harm, showcasing the lengths a parent will go to to keep their loved ones safe. The intense action and emotional depth of the film make it a compelling exploration of family dynamics in the face of danger.

• # 101 of 252 on The 200+ Best Psychological Thrillers Of All Time
• # 17 of 143 on The Best Movies of 2005
• # 109 of 186 on The Greatest Comic Book Movies Of All Time

Man on Fire

In the action-thriller Man on Fire , a former CIA operative named John Creasy (Denzel Washington) is hired as a bodyguard for a young girl in Mexico City. When the girl is kidnapped, Creasy embarks on a relentless mission of vengeance and protection, facing off against those responsible for her abduction.

Similar to No Escape , Man on Fire follows Creasy as he becomes singularly focused on his mission. Driven by a sense of duty and personal demons, Creasy's quest for redemption leads him into a dangerous and high-stakes conflict where he must navigate through treacherous obstacles to achieve his goal.

• # 15 of 114 on The Greatest Movie Remakes Of All Time
• # 18 of 99 on The Best Movies Of 2004, Ranked
• # 221 of 308 on The 300+ Best Epic Movies Of All Time

In the action thriller Kate , a skilled assassin named Kate (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) is poisoned during a hit and resolves to take revenge on her enemies before she succumbs to the toxin. As she navigates the criminal underworld of Tokyo, Kate confronts betrayals, dangerous adversaries, and her mortality. With time running out, Kate embarks on a relentless mission to set things right and ensure her legacy.

Echoing the themes of No Escape , Kate follows the titular protagonist as she becomes entangled in a deadly game of cat-and-mouse with those who seek to end her life. Kate's unwavering resolve, lethal skills, and strategic prowess drive her pursuit of vengeance, illustrating the relentless determination of a woman on a mission to confront her fate head-on. The film's gritty atmosphere, intricate plotting, and dynamic action sequences immerse viewers in a high-stakes journey of survival and retribution.

• # 4 of 12 on 12 Movies About Doomed Characters Living On Borrowed Time
• # 7 of 16 on 16 Underrated Modern Action Movies That Pack A Punch
• # 20 of 113 on The 90+ Best Recent Thriller Movies, Ranked

John Wick follows the story of a retired hitman (Keanu Reeves) who seeks retribution against a mobster's son who wronged him, reigniting his lethal skills in a quest for vengeance. The film is known for its stylish action sequences, intricate world-building, and the iconic character of John Wick as he takes on numerous adversaries in his mission.

Like No Escape , John Wick presents a protagonist consumed by a singular purpose and a relentless desire to achieve his mission. Wick's unwavering determination, strategic prowess, and deadly proficiency in combat drive him forward as he faces formidable challenges and confronts his enemies with calculated precision to accomplish his objective.

• Dig Deeper... The Best 'John Wick' Fight Scenes
• # 10 of 63 on The Greatest Directorial Debuts Of All Time
• # 28 of 81 on The Most Rewatchable Action Movies

The November Man

The November Man follows a retired CIA agent, Peter Devereaux (Pierce Brosnan), who is drawn back into the world of espionage to protect a valuable witness, only to face betrayal and deadly adversaries within the agency. As Devereaux uncovers a web of political intrigue and personal vendettas, he must navigate a dangerous game of manipulation and violence to survive. The film blends elements of action, thriller, and espionage genres, exploring themes of loyalty, deception, and the ethical complexities of intelligence work.

Similar to No Escape , The November Man features Pierce Brosnan in a high-stakes action role where his character must confront a treacherous situation, navigating through a web of deceit and danger. Brosnan's portrayal of a seasoned operative thrust into a deadly game of cat-and-mouse highlights his mastery of the action genre, delivering intense suspense and thrilling sequences as he battles to outwit his adversaries. With a blend of intrigue, betrayal, and relentless pursuit, The November Man captures the heart-pounding tension of a protagonist facing lethal threats in a perilous world of espionage.

In the adrenaline-fueled action film Crank , hitman Chev Chelios (Jason Statham) discovers he has been poisoned with a lethal toxin that will kill him if his heart rate drops. To survive, Chelios must keep his adrenaline pumping by engaging in high-speed chases, intense fights, and reckless stunts across Los Angeles. As he races against time to find an antidote and confront his enemies, Chelios becomes embroiled in a heart-pounding battle for survival.

Comparably to No Escape , Crank thrusts its protagonist, Chev Chelios, into a relentless and perilous cat-and-mouse game where every moment is a fight for survival. Chelios's desperate struggle, fueled by adrenaline and determination, mirrors the high-stakes intensity of a man caught up in a dangerous mission against formidable opponents. The film's breakneck pace and escalating tension draw viewers into a thrilling narrative of relentless pursuit and heart-pounding action.

• # 256 of 308 on The 295+ Best Movies For Guys
• # 49 of 97 on The 90+ Best Drug Movies of All Time
• # 1 of 12 on 12 Movies About Doomed Characters Living On Borrowed Time

Patriot Games

In the thriller Patriot Games , retired CIA agent Jack Ryan (Harrison Ford) becomes entangled in a dangerous conflict with an Irish terrorist group after he intervenes in an assassination attempt. As Ryan tries to protect his family and navigate the treacherous world of espionage, he finds himself immersed in a high-stakes game of wits and survival.

Similar to No Escape , Patriot Games follows a protagonist as he is unexpectedly drawn into a deadly cat-and-mouse game, showcasing his intelligence, resourcefulness, and determination in the face of escalating threats. The character's struggle to outmaneuver his adversaries and protect his loved ones creates a tension-filled narrative of deception and danger.

• # 112 of 252 on The 200+ Best Psychological Thrillers Of All Time
• # 32 of 99 on The Best 1990s Action Movies
• # 61 of 165 on The Best Political Films Of All Time

Behind Enemy Lines

Behind Enemy Lines centers on Navy flight navigator Lt. Chris Burnett (Owen Wilson) who, after being shot down over enemy territory in Bosnia, must evade capture and find a way to signal for rescue. Hunted by Serbian forces led by the ruthless General Miroslav Lokar (Olek Krupa), Burnett navigates the war-torn landscapes as he fights against insurmountable odds to survive and make it back to safety. The film combines elements of action, suspense, and war drama, exploring themes of resilience, bravery, and the human spirit's triumph over adversity.

In a parallel to No Escape , Owen Wilson's portrayal of Lt. Chris Burnett in Behind Enemy Lines epitomizes a protagonist thrust into a perilous situation in a hostile foreign land, where evading capture becomes a battle for survival. Wilson's character is tasked with outsmarting his enemies, showcasing resourcefulness and courage in a high-stakes game of evasion and resilience. Just like in No Escape , Behind Enemy Lines delivers heart-pounding action sequences, intense pursuit scenes, and a gripping narrative of one man's fight for freedom against overwhelming odds.

• # 90 of 264 on The 200+ Best War Movies Of All Time
• # 39 of 113 on The Best Movies Of 2001
• # 23 of 54 on The Best Movies 'Loosely' Based On True Stories

Babel weaves together multiple interconnected stories across different countries and cultures to explore themes of miscommunication, isolation, and the ripple effects of human actions. The film delves into the lives of characters in Morocco, Japan, Mexico, and the United States, whose fates intertwine through a series of events that lead to tragic consequences. Through a mix of drama, mystery, and suspense, Babel showcases the complexities of human relationships and the universal struggles that transcend borders.

Similar to No Escape , Babel follows characters who find themselves in perilous situations in unfamiliar territories, facing grave threats beyond their control. The film's narrative weaves a tapestry of interconnected stories that converge on a shared theme of individuals navigating dangerous circumstances in foreign lands. Driven by a sense of urgency and tension, Babel captures the characters' struggles to overcome cultural barriers and survive amidst chaos and uncertainty.

Papillon depicts the harrowing journey of Henri "Papillon" Charrière, a French prisoner wrongly convicted of murder and sent to a brutal penal colony in French Guiana. Determined to escape and prove his innocence, Papillon forms an unlikely alliance with a fellow inmate and embarks on a daring and perilous quest for freedom in the hostile environment of the island. The film portrays themes of resilience, friendship, and the human spirit's unwavering drive for liberty against seemingly insurmountable odds.

Like No Escape , Papillon immerses viewers in the protagonist's struggle for survival and freedom as he faces a deadly threat in a foreign land. Papillon's relentless pursuit of escape mirrors the high-stakes intensity of a man fighting against the odds in an unforgiving environment. The film's depiction of courage, fortitude, and camaraderie in the face of adversity creates a gripping narrative of endurance and determination.

• # 284 of 375 on The Best Movies Based On Books
• # 174 of 200 on The 195+ Greatest Adventure Movies
• # 8 of 17 on The Best Rami Malek Movies And TV Shows That Prove He Has The Range

Hostel follows a group of backpackers lured into a hostel in Slovakia, only to find themselves entangled in a macabre underground organization that caters to sadistic clients seeking to torture and kill unsuspecting victims. The movie delves into themes of exploitation, voyeurism, and the dark underbelly of the tourism industry, exposing the characters to a horrifying ordeal as they fight for their lives in a foreign country's brutal underworld. Through graphic violence and psychological terror, Hostel presents a chilling exploration of human depravity and the pursuit of sadistic thrills.

Echoing the premise of No Escape , Hostel thrusts its characters into a perilous situation where they confront a deadly threat in a foreign country. The film's unflinching portrayal of the main character's descent into a nightmarish world of torture and violence creates a sense of dread and suspense that parallels the high-stakes tension of individuals facing imminent danger in an unfamiliar environment. As the characters grapple with the horrors they encounter, Hostel showcases the brutal consequences of stepping into a realm where survival becomes the ultimate test of willpower and endurance.

• # 107 of 397 on The Best Horror Movies Of All Time
• # 9 of 125 on The 100+ Grossest Movies Ever
• # 72 of 143 on The Best Movies of 2005

The Bourne Identity

The Bourne Identity follows the story of Jason Bourne, a man who awakens with amnesia and discovers he possesses exceptional combat and survival skills. As Bourne unravels the mystery of his true identity and past, he finds himself hunted by those who want to eliminate him. The film combines elements of action, espionage, and thriller genres, exploring themes of identity, betrayal, and redemption.

Similar to No Escape , The Bourne Identity centers on a protagonist, Jason Bourne, who becomes ensnared in a dangerous cat-and-mouse game. Bourne's quest for self-discovery and survival propels him into a relentless pursuit where he must outwit his adversaries while confronting the shadows of his own past. The film's fast-paced action sequences, intricate plot twists, and Bourne's evolution from fugitive to a skilled operative create an intense and gripping narrative of deception and intrigue.

• # 130 of 769 on The Most Rewatchable Movies
• # 49 of 375 on The Best Movies Based On Books
• # 92 of 138 on The Best Rainy Day Movies, Ranked

Die Another Day

In Die Another Day , Pierce Brosnan reprises his role as James Bond, agent 007, who is captured and tortured by North Korean agents before embarking on a mission to clear his and uncover a sinister plot involving a renegade British entrepreneur. As Bond races against time to prevent a global catastrophe, he navigates a world of high-tech gadgets, international intrigue, and deadly enemies. The film combines elements of thriller, action, and adventure, exploring themes of loyalty, betrayal, and the moral dilemmas faced by a secret agent.

Echoing the premise of No Escape , Die Another Day features Pierce Brosnan in an action-packed role, where he faces dangerous adversaries and challenging situations in exotic locations across the globe. Brosnan's suave portrayal of the iconic spy embodies a sense of sophistication and toughness as he grapples with complex conspiracies and lethal threats. With its blend of thrilling action sequences, high-stakes espionage, and charismatic performances, Die Another Day showcases Brosnan's adeptness at portraying a charismatic and resourceful hero caught in a web of danger and deception.

• # 24 of 26 on The 25+ Best 'James Bond' Movies, Ranked
• # 66 of 152 on The Best Movies of 2002
• # 1 of 15 on The 15 Most Inaccurate Science Fiction Movies Of All Time

In Collateral , Tom Cruise portrays a hitman who forces a taxi driver, played by Jamie Foxx, to drive him around Los Angeles for a night of targeted killings. The film is a tense and gritty thriller that delves into themes of morality, destiny, and the consequences of one's choices in life. With a supporting cast that includes Jada Pinkett Smith and Mark Ruffalo, Collateral is a pulse-pounding cat-and-mouse game set against the backdrop of the city at night.

Just like in No Escape , Collateral thrusts its protagonist into a perilous situation where he must confront danger head-on. Foxx's character is unwillingly drawn into Cruise's character's deadly mission, highlighting the taxi driver's struggle to survive a night filled with unexpected twists and turns. The film's atmospheric and gripping performances make it a gripping and psychologically charged thriller in the realm of crime cinema.

• # 28 of 99 on The Best Movies Of 2004, Ranked
• # 16 of 44 on The 40+ Best Tom Cruise Movies, Ranked By Fans
• # 46 of 51 on The Best Movies to Watch on a Home Theater
• No Escape (2015)
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No Escape Reviews

The film's torture garden will drum up some moderate suspense for anyone who misses movies like Hostel.

Full Review | Original Score: 8/10 | Jul 20, 2023

There aren’t a lot of new ideas in No Escape — it’s best described as Saw meets Hostel for the Instagram generation... That doesn’t mean that it’s not entertaining or has nothing to say, though.

Full Review | Dec 27, 2022

Watchable, enjoyable, but also - it must be said - a little forgettable.

Full Review | Original Score: 6/10 | Nov 1, 2021

There's some bloody fun to be had in trying to sort out exactly what's going on.

Full Review | Jan 28, 2021

A "gotcha" twist ending does bring some fun to the table, though it can't hide No Escape's trite, bargain bin execution

Full Review | Sep 25, 2020

Features a lot of torture porn in the mold of 'Saw' and 'Hostel,' which hardly constitutes a virtue: that stuff was repulsive at its first appearance, and now has become passé as well.

Full Review | Original Score: C- | Sep 24, 2020

A vague copycat of the successful 'Saw' franchise formula, this horror/thriller lacks interesting puzzles, likable characters, and memorable shocks and has an unsettling level of violence toward women.

Full Review | Original Score: 1/5 | Sep 24, 2020

Obnoxious millennials obsessed with social media while lacking common sense might deserve some comeuppance, but there's not much intrigue in this derivative horror exercise as generic as its title.

Full Review | Sep 19, 2020

It has the hunched and gasping air of an old-school torture-porn movie. But there's no torture! Or rather, there is torture, but you mostly don't see it. It's torture lite.

Full Review | Sep 18, 2020

There is a perfectly reasonable way to escape this time-waster, and that's just not to watch it.

No Escape is a film that contains no thrills, no chills, and no earthly reason to even exist.

Full Review | Sep 17, 2020

'No Escape' splices together Insta-famous commentaries and escape room peril to generate content that's maybe not the most ingenious hybrid take, but still rife with tension and terrors.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | Sep 16, 2020

A "Saw" like murder-puzzle thriller that hits enough of its marks to earn a "not half bad" label.

Full Review | Original Score: 2/4 | Sep 16, 2020

A true Hollywood horror show that surely, would we not be in a pandemic, should have ended up buried on a streaming service.

Full Review | Original Score: 1.5/5 | Jul 24, 2020

• Cast & crew
• User reviews

Escape Room

Six strangers find themselves in a maze of deadly mystery rooms and must use their wits to survive. Six strangers find themselves in a maze of deadly mystery rooms and must use their wits to survive. Six strangers find themselves in a maze of deadly mystery rooms and must use their wits to survive.

• Adam Robitel
• Bragi F. Schut
• Maria Melnik
• Taylor Russell
• Logan Miller
• 867 User reviews
• 247 Critic reviews
• 48 Metascore
• 2 wins & 7 nominations

• Jason Walker

• Amanda Harper

• Games Master WooTan Yu

• College Professor
• Charlie - Jason's Assistant

• Gary - Ben's Boss

• Allison - Zoey's Roommate

• Minos Security Guard …
• Detective Li

• (as Caely Jo Levy)

• Business Passenger
• (as Jeremy Jess Boado)
• 2nd Flight Attendant
• All cast & crew
• Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

More like this

Did you know

• Trivia After the death of five Polish teenagers, killed by fire in a real-life tragedy which occurred within an escape room in Poland, the release date of the film was pushed back a few months in a number of countries out of respect for the girls who died.
• Goofs The watchers have no control over who dies. It is a survival of the fittest test. However, the 4th room can only be solved by Ben as it relies on his knowledge of American Sign Language. Had he died earlier, the game would be unwinnable, rather than survival of the fittest.

Jason Walker : None of us died, right?

Zoey Davis : We're sole survivors.

Jason Walker : So what.

Zoey Davis : We're a statistical improbability. And now they want to see who will be the luckiest among the lucky.

• Crazy credits The first parts of the credits are paired with a ball going through a maze while passing important objects in the film.
• Connections Featured in Chris Stuckmann Movie Reviews: Escape Room (2019)
• Soundtracks Hate Written by 21 and Bishop Lamont Performed by 21 (Ft. Bishop Lamont ) Courtesy of Extreme Music

User reviews 867

• Nov 3, 2021
• How long is Escape Room? Powered by Alexa
• January 4, 2019 (United States)
• United States
• South Africa
• Official Site
• Căn Phòng Tử Thần
• Chicago, Illinois, USA (second unit - flyover establishing shots only)
• Columbia Pictures
• Original Film
• Department of Trade and Industry of South Africa
• See more company credits at IMDbPro
• $9,000,000 (estimated)
• $57,005,601
• $18,238,172
• Jan 6, 2019
• $155,712,077

Technical specs

• Runtime 1 hour 39 minutes
• Dolby Digital
• Dolby Atmos

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'Furiosa' Review - Anya Taylor-Joys Movie Is No 'Fury Road'

• Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga showcases George Miller's best character work, despite being burdened by excess details.
• Anya Taylor-Joy and Alyla Browne excel at portraying the two versions of Furiosa, embodying Theron's character flawlessly.
• Chris Hemsworth struggles to fully sink into his character, still feeling like a Marvel character rather than a full villain.

Long before we ever stepped foot on the Fury Road with Charlize Theron 's Furiosa and Tom Hardy 's Max Rockatansky, director George Miller and co-writer Nico Lathouris first spent years laying out the backstory of the world of Mad Max, including the life and origins of Imperator Furiosa. It was this screenplay of Furiosa's story that Theron would read as a background for her character, and after the success of Mad Max: Fury Road , Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga seemed like the obvious next choice, especially with a screenplay ready to go. After COVID delays and scheduling conflicts, the film is finally on our doorstep. It's no secret that although Hardy's Max had his own silent, brooding charm, Furiosa was the star of Fury Road . Her journey was at the center of the story as she tried to escape with the five wives of Immortan Joe ( Hugh Keays-Byrne ) to take them to the Green Place. Furiosa's character struck a chord with viewers, as much as the non-stop high-octane action did.

As is the way with Hollywood, I went into this prequel with some apprehension. After all, this is an industry obsessed with franchises, and Fury Road felt so original back when it first came out in 2015; it was one of my favorite films of that year and remains one of my favorite action films of all time. It was hard to imagine how this film might best that or top what already seemed like perfection. However, it's clear that with Furiosa , Miller is trying to tell a different story than the one you might expect . And depending on your expectations, Furiosa could either be an epic origin story for this beloved character, or it can be caught in the shadow of its more stylistic predecessor.

Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga

The origin story of renegade warrior Furiosa before her encounter and teamup with Mad Max.

Release Date May 24, 2024

Director George Miller

Cast Alyla Browne, Lachy Hulme, Anya Taylor-Joy, Tom Burke, Nathan Jones, Chris Hemsworth, Daniel Webber, Angus Sampson

Main Genre Adventure

Genres Sci-Fi, Action, Adventure

Writers Nick Lathouris, George Miller

Studio(s) Kennedy Miller Mitchell, Village Roadshow Pictures

Distributor(s) Warner Bros.

Sequel(s) Mad Max: Fury Road

prequel(s) Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome, Mad Max, Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior

Franchise(s) Mad Max

How Does 'Furiosa' Hold Up to 'Fury Road'?

Let's just get this out of the way first. The comparisons will be inevitable. Not only are these two films Miller's more recent works, but they are naturally tied together. However, these are two very different films. One of the main differences is timing. While Fury Road takes place over a matter of days, if not hours, Furiosa takes place over the span of years, nearly two decades . Fury Road plunges us immediately into the deep end, engulfing us in the hot flames of Immortan Joe's caravan, whereas Furiosa starts more conventionally. It starts from the beginning of Furiosa's story when she was a little girl (played by an unmatched Alyala Browne ) and leads up through her kidnapping and her years with the Warlord Dementus ( a lackluster Chris Hemsworth ) and through to her time as an adult (an explosive Anya Taylor-Joy ) becoming the Imperator for Immortan Joe (now played by Lachy Hulme ). Because of the nature of this story, the pacing and tone are completely different from the previous one. The heart-pounding action that was Fury Road is not fully present here , and in some respects, the story is weaker for it.

It's clear that Miller has a vision for Furiosa and has dedicated many years to her creation. She's fully fleshed out in a way Max never has been ​​​​​​, and this origin story feels like one of mythic proportions, with parables being bounced around as we watch Furiosa learn time and time again that the Wasteland will take everything from her. However, there is such a thing as too much information, and unfortunately, Furiosa falls victim to a problem that Fury Road never had. There are parts of the film that feel like a pure info dump , like Miller is filling in a picture that's better left bare. For anyone who has ever been curious about the world of Mad Max and, more specifically, about the war for dominance between the Warlords, prepare to have your curiosity sated.

Speaking of these warlords, the newly introduced Dementus pales in comparison to Immortan Joe. While Joe feels like a nightmarish inevitability, with his zealous warboys and obsession with breeding, Dementus feels more like a pesky cockroach who simply won't die. Yes, he's cruel, and he is sadistic , but who isn't in this world? Furiosa's grudge against him is personal, but once that is taken away, Dementus feels flimsy . Joe had a robust supporting cast to instantly fill out his development without Miller needing to do much explaining, but Dementus is often seen monologuing, obsessed with his own voice and power. Considering that both Browne and Taylor-Joy are so compelling on screen, Dementus is unnecessary, and he quickly overstays his welcome . It was jarring to me, going into Furiosa and expecting the action I got in Fury Road only to get a much more unevenly paced film. Thematically, Fury Road is a story about redemption and triumph over an oppressive force, while Furiosa is about revenge and a total loss of innocence. The two stories serve different purposes.

The Best Movie To Escape Development Hell Was Worth the Wait

'furiosa' breaks an origin story up into chapters.

Typically, we might see the rising action, climax, and falling action throughout the entire length of a film, but Furiosa breaks this up into five chapters. The result of separating the story into parts means that the runtime of 148 minutes feels more noticeable ; the pacing for some chapters is relentless and energizing, while others feel like slow burns. The episodic nature of this format might not appeal to everyone as it robs the film of a more cinematic quality. In the first chapter, a young Furiosa is kidnapped, and we are plunged into action immediately. Her mother, Mary Jo Bassa ( Charlee Fraser ), acts as a one-woman army — following her daughter's captors from the Green Place all the way back to their camp. This is, by far, one of the most tense sequences. We know that Furiosa will eventually end up as an Imperator, so there's a looming dread that, despite all of Mary Jo's determination , ultimately, she will fail. It's equally frustrating to watch a young Furiosa make the mistakes that will lead to her capture, knowing that they are reasonable for a child while also wishing that she'd make the "right" choice instead.

Each segment of Furiosa plays with tone. While the opening chapter is about Furiosa's introduction to the Wasteland, the subsequent chapters follow her as she learns bitter lessons from the cruel Dementus. Her time with Dementus is marked by anarchy and survival, at all costs. Furiosa witnesses Dementus' brutality firsthand and is largely silent, an observer and student to his brand of ruling over his gang. This chaos comes in stark contrast to the order of Immortan Joe's gang . As a girl, it's nauseating to watch Furiosa get lecherously eyed by Rictus ( Nathan Jones ), only for her to realize that the only way to survive as a woman with Immortan Joe is to eventually become one of his wives. The film culminates when she meets Praetorian Jack ( Tom Burke ). Her life changes as the story takes a sharp romantic shift. As she becomes determined to escape Joe's and run away to the Green Place with Jack, the conflict between the Warlords catches up to them. Consumed by her need for vengeance at this point, we finally see the full transformation , taking us from a precocious young girl into the enigmatic woman we first meet watching Fury Road .

What works with Furiosa is how detailed the telling of her story is. Furiosa is an intrinsically interesting character and I always felt like I was rushing to get back to her story in this film. The problem is that Furiosa isn't just about Furiosa . The lore of the war between Warlords fills up a lot of time, and honestly, Dementus, Immortan Joe, and the other characters at Gas Town and the Bullet Farm simply aren't interesting enough to warrant the time they get on screen. The politics at play drag the story down, and I get the sense that Miller might have had a more svelte story if this extra fat was trimmed away. As valuable as the information about the politics of Gas Town and the Bullet Farm is for the actors, the viewer does not need to know so much information. Adding these elements dilutes Furiosa's story of vengeance.

Alyla Browne and Anya Taylor-Joy Are Magnificent as Furiosa

The absolute highlight of the film has to be the two actors leading the film, and, no, I'm not talking about Anya Taylor-Joy and Chris Hemsworth. Though much of the marketing for this film centers around Taylor-Joy's older Furiosa, a large part of the movie sees Alyla Browne's young Furiosa as our leading character , so much so that, at one point, I forgot Taylor-Joy was even in the film. Browne has the potential to go far in this industry as the young actor easily slips in and out of the different phases of Furiosa's life. The transition from Browne to Taylor-Joy is also incredibly seamless . The two actors are chameleons and when Taylor-Joy takes the lead, there are moments when she looks and acts so much like Charlize Theron that it feels like there's some movie magic at work to meld the two together. But there is not. That's all talent, and it's impressive, to say the least.

What is also a surprise is the natural romantic chemistry Taylor-Joy has with Tom Burke as Jack. The effect is instantaneous. The moment they meet, that chemistry crackles off the screen . Though the relationship feels a bit forced and needs more development to make it feel less rushed, Burke and Taylor-Joy make up for those shortcomings. The two characters can tell a whole story by simply sitting next to each other on a war rig, and it is reminiscent of Max and Furiosa in Fury Road , where the tension is so palpable there's no need for dialogue .

Unfortunately, where the film falters is with its other star, the aforementioned Chris Hemsworth. Complete with a giant nose prosthetic that feels both unnecessary and also does little to hide Hemsworth's natural swooniness — Dementus is not a role that Hemsworth slips into easily . The character is over-the-top, braggadocious, and ambitious, but the performance never slips into the truly sinister as it should. It's difficult to see the performance and not see Thor, God of Thunder, and Avenger underneath it all. From the washboard abs to the red cape, the costuming does Hemsworth no favors. He sticks out like a sore thumb and by the time we pass the midpoint of the film, his character feels extraneous. It's not that Hemsworth isn't leaning into Dementus, he is, but this character simply seems to be an ill fit for the actor. Unlike Charlize Theron in Monster or even Colin Farrell in The Batman who became essentially unrecognizable for the role, there are times when Dementus just looks like Chris Hemsworth in the Wasteland being an asshole. The film did not do enough to buff away the Marvel shine .

'Furiosa' Stands Strong on Its Own, But Still Lacks the Spark It Needs

I have no doubt that there will be fierce Furiosa defenders. At my screening alone, there were people saying Furiosa is better than Fury Road . And, to some extent, Miller deserves this praise; Furiosa deserves this praise. For the first time in this franchise, the story is centered around a female character and feels so wholly fleshed out and explored it's brilliant. But Furiosa still lacks a spark. It's being weighed down by Miller's world-building , doing a disservice to Furiosa's origin.

The production design is still as amazing as it was in the first film, but Miller's vision lacks refinement here. Cinematographer Simon Duggan ( The Great Gatsby , 300: Rise of an Empire ) does not have the same sweeping visual eye that John Seale had in Fury Road . We lose some of the size and scope of these battles on war rigs and the roaming caravans of bandits. Fury Road is undoubtedly an action flick first, but Furiosa is much more of a character study. Similarly, while Junkie XL returns as the composer, there are whole chase sequences and action sequences that are devoid of his heart-pounding compositions that had me wondering, "Why are we sitting here in silence?"

At the end of the day, perhaps if Furiosa was released first, plunging us into Furiosa's introduction without knowing where she'd end up, the film would have had a stronger impact. But because it is a prequel , it will struggle under the shadow of a film that is technically and cinematically superior . Held up by Alyla Browne and Anya Taylor-Joy as stellar leads, Furiosa can be inspiring at the best of times — an Edmond Dantès-level story about revenge. But, at the worst of times, the film feels as bloated and unwieldy as The People Eater, dragged down by too many ideas. Does the good outweigh the bad? Just barely, but not enough to dethrone its predecessor.

Furiosa's prequel film shines with Anya Taylor-Joy and Alyala Browne, but is weighed down by too much story.

• Anya Taylor-Joy and Alyla Browne are fantastic as Furiosa, blending perfectly into Charlize Theron's original character.
• Taylor-Joy and Tom Burke have amazing chemistry, making an underdeveloped segment of the story sing despite shortcomings.
• Furiosa is George Miller's best and most well-developed character.
• Furiosa is far too long, weighed down by too much info dumping.
• Not enough is done to make Chris Hemsworth unrecognizable, weakening his performance.

Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga comes to theaters in the U.S. starting May 24. Click below for showtimes near you.

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The Movie With the Most Reviews To Get 100% on Rotten Tomatoes

This movie may have been slept on while it was in theaters, but its 100% approval rating should earn it notice.

The Big Picture

• Rotten Tomatoes scores can oversimplify film criticism; there's more to a good review than "rotten" or "fresh."
• Rotten Tomatoes does bring attention to overlooked films like Leave No Trace .
• Leave No Trace explores the challenges of assimilation and the freedom of choice in a moving and authentic way.

While film criticism aggregators like Rotten Tomatoes are useful in helping to determine the broad critical consensus that a film received, simplifying the response to a film into a score is not necessarily a useful form of engaging with art. Rotten Tomatoes works like a binary , and in actuality, there’s much more to a good review than whether a film is simply “rotten” or “fresh.” Metrics like Rotten Tomatoes may claim to “democratize” the art of criticism, but they’re largely useless for those looking for more nuanced opinions. However, overwhelming critical support from an aggregator like Rotten Tomatoes can shed a spotlight on films that would not have otherwise received as much attention from a mainstream audience. Debra Granik ’s 2018 family drama Leave No Trace may have been a film that many slept on while it was in theaters, but its 100% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes should hopefully encourage a wider audience to check it out .

Leave No Trace

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A father and his seventeen-year-old daughter are living an ideal existence in a vast urban park in Portland, Oregon when a small mistake derails their lives forever.

What Happens in 'Leave No Trace'?

Leave No Trace is Granik’s follow up to her breakthrough 2010 drama Winter’s Bone starring Jennifer Lawrence . Winter’s Bone was a grounded thriller that depicted both familial relationships and its natural environments with great detail. While Winter’s Bone could loosely be described as a “genre film,” Leave No Trace was squarely focused on depicting an authentic, lived-in experience. The film follows Will ( Ben Foster ), a former military veteran who lives “off the grid” with his teenage daughter, Tom ( Thomasin McKenzie ). Although Will and Tom have gotten used to this nomadic lifestyle , they are forced to “assimilate” when they are discovered.

Granik does a great job at exploring her characters’ lifestyle without judgment. Living outside civil society presents its dangers. There is a lack of medical supplies and a distance from breaking news, but Tom is also removed from any social circles with children her own age . She has lived to be entirely dependent upon her father, and has never learned what constitutes normal human interaction. At the same time, Will is able to use their nomadic lifestyle in order to focus on his priorities. He knows that the infrastructure of normal society is rife with issues, and that they may cause issues in Tom’s development. This objective view of nomad living is rare to see in film, as even Nomadland offered some judgments on its characters.

Will knows firsthand that the infrastructure can fail because of his own backstory. Although Granik never gives Foster an expositional monologue where he explains his entire life, it’s subtly hinted that he’s dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder from his experiences in combat. Although Will is dealing with his trauma in the way that he sees fit, not associating with anyone else isn’t necessarily a healthy way to cope with his struggles. Granik explores the flawed, yet understandable logic in his thinking. Will mistakes “needing help” for moral weakness, and feels that receiving assistance from therapists is a mistake. Will’s unwillingness to ask for help isn’t because of toxic masculinity; he wants his daughter to perceive him as authoritative so that he can offer her a blanket of safety.

'Leave No Trace’ Tries To Show, Not Tell

Granik does a great job at showing how challenging the assimilation process can be. Will and Tom are discovered by a jogger, and must adjust to a new life in rural Oregon. Will and Tom subvert the expectations that the social services officers have about “nomads.” Tom possesses an academic knowledge that rivals anyone her own age that attended school, and Will has taken care of himself remarkably well. Granik chooses not to demonize either Will or the social service officers that try to get him to adjust his lifestyle. Both parties are simply trying to find a solution to this situation that is healthy and legal for everyone involved. Foster shows how reluctant Will is to change a lifestyle that he felt was working for both him and his daughter, giving one of his best performances in the process.

While it never feels like they are in physical danger, Will has not accepted that he will have to introduce Tom to the rest of the world. Granik crafts a beautiful father-daughter story because the film is just as much about Will’s development as it is about Tom coming of age . Tom begins to find joy when she gets to meet other people and hear about their experiences; she has only ever been close with her father, so learning about someone else is a breath of fresh air. The film doesn’t suggest that Will’s teachings had a negative impact on her, but it does show the value in having a diversity of experience.

Rotten Tomatoes' Score Display on Google Has Changed — What Does This Mean? [Updated]

The grounded realism of ‘leave no trace’ helps it feel authentic.

However, the assimilation process is much different for Will because he has seen what living a non-nomadic life could look like. Tom has never known anything other than what her father told her, so her perception is more limited. Will specifically chose to live his life nomadically because of his inability to engage with other people. In its most heartbreaking sequence , Leave No Trace shows why the two characters have to split up. Will has chosen to remain isolated, but Tom still has the opportunity to make that decision. Will realizes that in order to give her the freedom to make that choice, he will have to leave her behind. Leave No Trace doesn’t turn this moment into a manipulative one that exists purely to pull the audience’s heartstrings. It was evident from the beginning of the story that, inevitably, Tom would have to move on.

While Leave No Trace landed with little impact upon its debut, it’s the type of film that is worthy of a critical rediscovery. Granik’s unflashy style may not have seemed exciting to casual viewers, but the realism with which she crafts the story makes the characters’ experiences feel more authentic . The story is a timeless one, and the film is able to analyze a specific experience with empathy. Although it may be best known as McKenzie’s breakout film , Leave No Trace ’s 100% approval rating couldn’t be more deserving.

Leave No Trace is available to stream on Starz in the U.S.

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