The 2022 Horror/Thriller/Mystery No Exit is more than just tension in the snow. The white out plot device ties in cleverly with our hero’s personal addictions. It also adds another level of suspense with avenues of “just what is really happening here” moments.
No Exit Story
College student Darby is undergoing yet another rehab session for her addictions. She learns that her mother is dying in hospital. Darby heads toward Salt Lake City despite being told that neither her mum, nor sister, want her there.
On the way, she encounters a devastating blizzard and is redirected to a travel center. Darby takes her stolen car and the cocaine she found in it and takes shelter.
At the tourist stop, she finds a kidnapped girl. She is being held captive in the back of a nondescript van in the parking lot. Darby has to figure out who the kidnapper is and tries to rescue the young child.
No Exit Cast
Havana Rose Liu is Darby.
Danny Ramirez is Ash.
David Rysdahl is Lars.
Dale Dickey is Sandi.
Dennis Haysbert is Ed.
Mila Harris is Jay.
Cast is King/Queen
This was an amazing cast. Liu rocks in her role but she is not alone. Dale Dickey, who I’ve been a fan of since Breaking Bad, is spot on. Haysbert, is another long time favorite, and he too impresses here.
Rysdahl and Ramirez equally catch fire with their performances. Plus, keep an eye on young Harris, she is also spot on here. #risingstar.
Behind the Camera
Director Damien Power works slow moving magic with a triple author script. No less than three writers put this one together. Andrew Barrer, Gabriel Ferrari and Taylor Adams prove the “too many cooks” adage can be wrong.
The entire film feels like an almost tepid fever dream. A heroine suffering from withdrawal? Did Darby really escape from the rehab center? Is she imagining all this? All these questions pop up repeatedly.
No Exit is an exercise in suspense because of a melody of great writing and spot on directing. We get caught up in the character’s issues in the story because it is presented so well.
Yet so hazily.
It Works
No Exit kept me guessing until the very end of the film. There were enough twists to keep things interesting and a hero that felt all too flawed to be real. It is not perfect though. For example: The nail gun device. Having used those things for a number of years, I can tell you they do not “shoot” that straight.
*For a good look at just how wild an “aimed” nail gun shoots, check out Final Destination 3. The DIY warehouse scene.*
No Exit Verdict
This one earns a solid 4 stars. Havana Rose Liu kills it as Darby. This is the main reason that No Exit earns a high score. She completely sells this tortured soul who steps up to the plate. The film is streaming on Hulu right now. Go and check it out.
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