X
- 2011
- R
- Samuel Goldwyn Films
- 1 h 30 m
- 2011
- R
- Samuel Goldwyn Films
- 1 h 30 m
Summary Taking an isolated break on an uninhabited island, Martin and Kate are about to find that their island retreat is about to become a prison of unimaginable terror. When a blood soaked stranger stumbles through their door claiming an apocalyptic virus is sweeping across Europe, their lives are turned upside down as they face what could be...
Directed By: Carl Tibbetts
Written By: Janice Hallett, Carl Tibbetts
- 2011
- R
- Samuel Goldwyn Films
- 1 h 30 m
- 2011
- R
- Samuel Goldwyn Films
- 1 h 30 m
Retreat
Metascore
Available after 4 critic reviews
6.4
Where to Watch
Summary Taking an isolated break on an uninhabited island, Martin and Kate are about to find that their island retreat is about to become a prison of unimaginable terror. When a blood soaked stranger stumbles through their door claiming an apocalyptic virus is sweeping across Europe, their lives are turned upside down as they face what could be...
Directed By: Carl Tibbetts
Written By: Janice Hallett, Carl Tibbetts
Where to Watch
Top Cast
Retreat's wheels are constantly spinning, but they're not always taking us anywhere.
Excellent performances from the cast elevate this otherwise slightly flawed a hokey interloper story.
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 17 User Ratings
6.4
41% Positive
7 Ratings
7 Ratings
59% Mixed
10 Ratings
10 Ratings
0% Negative
0 Ratings
0 Ratings
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 17 User Ratings
6.4
41% Positive
7 Ratings
7 Ratings
59% Mixed
10 Ratings
10 Ratings
0% Negative
0 Ratings
0 Ratings
Retreat is one of those rare instances, of a film that is slow moving, with a simple story, but strangely fascinating. Films like this are completely reliant on the cast and most times simply don't work, but for some reason, I was really into Retreat and had to know if it was going to end the way I thought it would. As I said, the story isn't that unique, as it features a young couple, who try to reconnect on a secluded island off the cost of England. The island is a rich persons retreat and features one large cottage, that is occupied by one couple at a time. Martin and Kate think that it will be the perfect spot to reconnect, after the recent loss of a child, but the ideal retreat, soon becomes a hell on earth. A member of the army, a man named Jack (Jamie Bell) shows up in bad shape. When he wakes up, Jack informs the couple that a virus has taken hold over the mainland and if they leave the cottage, they could catch it. At first the couple goes along with Jack, but as his behavior becomes more irrational, the couple starts to question weather or not he's actually telling the truth. When you break the film down, it's three people in a cottage on an island, which doesn't sound very interesting, and the only reason this film works is Jamie Bell. The young star who got his start in Billy Elliott almost 15 years ago, has become a modern day Da Vinci in Hollywood, as he is seemingly everywhere and takes on all kinds of roles. Bell is as much an enigma as this film, as the last film I saw him in was some comedy, that was so bad I turned it off. A few months later, he's in this film and outshines everyone. If it wasn't for Bell's character and the fascination in finding out, what's in his head, this a film that would have gone nowhere. Jamie Bell is the key and really does give one of his best performances. Looking back and thinking about this film, it really wasn't anything special, except for one actor who makes all the difference. If you're into great performances, then Retreat is for you, but if you're more into the story then you might want to skip this one.
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A potential menage a trois of terror is served up as rather weak tea in Retreat, which fails to make its alleged suspense, thrills or even its mist-enshrouded landscapes particularly plausible.
The cast deserves a thumbs up for having the thankless job of saving a weak script with a great twist but bad ending. The story: a couple retreats to a remote island to work out their problems. but these take a backseat when a stranger washes up on the island and tells them that a deadly infection is killing everyone. The couple, overawed by the stranger, initially goes along with him but then doubt sets in. Is he telling the truth?
The gaping plothole is that the transmitter turns up static just when the stranger arrives so his story can not be checked and thus it seems to support his assertion that everyone is dead. It isn't made believable why there is static and the couple does not even check any of the other band waves. More plotholes follow throughout the movie.
The twist makes a lot up for the weakness of the script and the ending is sad. But the final end should be cut from the movie. Now we know and we shouldn't. This movie is about doubt, deception, and uncertainty. The end should have reflected that.
Pity that once again a director thinks he is up to the task of writing a script, an art that is vastly undervalued. Few directors make good writers as few writers make good directors. Especially when the script is depended mostly on dialogue to propel the story forward.
Why not take a story written by a good writer and adapt that? There are more than enough to choose from.
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There was potential for this film and there were a lot of aspects I enjoyed but, the film just fell flat for me and, thanks to a repetitive narrative, I ended up losing all interest in it. “Retreat” is interesting, has interesting and well developed characters, has great performances, and, basically, has all the ingredients for an intense thriller but, during the film’s climax, the movie just starts repeating itself with similar scenes over and over again and it just ended up looking lazy to me and I found I no longer cared about the movie. I liked where it was going and where it ended; it was the middle part of the journey I didn’t care for.
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