2015 film No Escape is some nail biting edge of the seat thriller material. There are moments where the viewer holds their breath. This is good stuff.
Family man Jack Dwyer, whose own company went bust, is taking his wife and two children to Southeast Asia for a new start. He works for the Cardiff as an engineer for the water company. He is looking forward to a new exciting life. Unfortunately the excitement levels peak when a bloody coup takes place endangering every foreigner in the country. No Escape follows his attempt to save himself and his family.
Co-written and directed by John Erick Dowdle (Dowdle’s brother Drew Dowdle was a the other scribe on the film.) No Escape is a “wrong place, wrong time” film. Dwyer and his family arrive in country. The locals are murdering foreigner’s on sight. I
The Story
Owen Wilson plays Dwyer, his first dramatic role in years, and the splendid Lake Bell plays his wife Annie. Sterling Jerins and Claire Geare play the children superbly. Pierce Brosnan is the “grizzled” MI5 type.
Brosnan manages to convey a sense of realism to his character. A man paid to bring down the peaceful society who feels guilty for endangering Dwyer and his family.
No Escape is nail-bitingly tense. The chaotic wholesale murder of every foreign person found by a mob of armed and crazed citizens is, at times, terrifying. The rioting populace either shoot or hack to death everyone they encounter. Dwyer realizes that to survive he needs to keep 10 steps ahead of the mob.
Location, Location, Location
The country is supposed to be Cambodia. It is, after all, right next to Vietnam. This is the country the family head for to claim asylum. The scenario, of world powers messing about with small countries so they can take control is not too far fetched at all.
The film looks brilliant and certainly feels authentic, it was shot in Thailand, which adds to the toe curling sense of tension that pervades every scene. This is a white knuckle ride for the viewer with no let up at all.
Some of the scenes are a bit over the top or feel a bit “off.” There is a scene with the oldest daughter and the leader of the mob that strains credibility. The helicopter scene also feels a bit contrived.
However, this is an edge of the seat thriller from start to finish. By the end of the film the viewer will feel wrung out and exhausted from all the tension and suspense involved. Dowdle, whose last effort was the horror movie As Above, So Below proves to be a dab hand at action thrillers.
The Verdict
No Escape earns a 4.5 stars for the acting, the storyline and the high level of almost excruciating tension throughout. All the actors killed it and made this a film that was almost too tense to watch.
This “R” rated fim is streaming on Netflix and Paramount + at the moment. Do not be surprised if you grit your teeth and clench your fists throughout this high tension film.
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