No Exit (2022) Movie Review

The world of cinema has changed dramatically over the years, with big-budget productions taking up most of the box office sales. Smaller, modestly budgeted films like "No Exit" have been pushed out of the market and have found their place on streaming platforms like Amazon, Netflix, and Hulu. However, Fox has decided to change their mind after the Disney merger and push this thriller to their streaming service. It's not hard to see why – "No Exit" is a grisly piece of work that earns your suspension of disbelief and is reminiscent of the kind of single-setting thrillers that were popular in the 2000s.

Directed by Damien Power, "No Exit" is an adaptation of the thriller novel of the same name by Taylor Adams. The film boasts a beautifully simple set-up, reminiscent of the works of Hitchcock and Christie. It follows the story of Darby Thorne (Havana Rose Liu), who receives a call that her mother is in the hospital. She leaves the rehab facility she's in and drives through the treacherous Utah mountains to get to her mother, despite the protestations of her sister. As she's driving, she hits a blizzard, forcing her off the road and into a rest stop to wait it out. There, she meets four other stranded travelers – Ash (Danny Ramirez), Lars (David Rysdahl), Ed (Dennis Haysbert), and Sandi (Dale Dickey). It all seems mundane until Darby goes outside to get a signal and finds a kidnapped girl (Mila Harris) in a van. One of the four people in the rest stop is a monster, and Darby has to figure out who it is and how she can save the girl in the middle of a snowstorm.

While "No Exit" reveals the kidnapper early on in the film, it's not a cause for concern. The script is based on a novel and has about a half-dozen chapter-ending twists. It's a film that deftly teeters on the edge of utter nonsense, and the balancing act becomes part of the escapist fun. While some viewers may be put off by the coincidences and contrivances, the film works better as it piles up the insanity. The chaotic final act is especially impressive, with Power showing off his craft and getting brutal enough to remind people that he made "Killing Ground."

The ensemble cast is also a highlight of "No Exit." Power keeps Liu grounded in a believable performance, never allowing her to devolve into histrionics. Haysbert and Dickey are both incredibly welcome character actors who add significant weight as a couple who may not know everything about one another. Ramirez and Rysdahl have very different energies, but Power and writers Andrew Barrer & Gabriel Ferrari lean into that and challenge preconceptions.

It's tempting to say that "No Exit" works best if you turn off your brain, but that would be doing the film a disservice. While the dialogue could be sharper, and the sense of claustrophobic tension could be more pronounced, this is the kind of film that's harder to pull off than it looks. In a world where forgettable thrillers dominate streaming services, "No Exit" stands out as a grisly and entertaining piece of work.

The thriller genre has certainly evolved over the years, but "No Exit" proves that there's still a place for modestly budgeted films in the world of cinema. It's a film that will appeal to fans of the single-setting thrillers that were popular in the 2000s, but it also has enough twists and turns to keep modern audiences entertained. With strong performances from its ensemble cast and impressive direction from Damien Power, "No Exit" is a film that

In conclusion, "No Exit" is a thrilling and grisly film that offers a nostalgic nod to the standalone thrillers of the early 2000s. Although it has a simple premise, it manages to keep the audience engaged with its multiple twists and turns, making it an enjoyable watch. Director Damien Power delivers an impressive job in terms of craft and acting performances, particularly from lead actress Havana Rose Liu, who offers a grounded and believable performance. While the film may have some contrivances and coincidences, it still manages to walk the tightrope of insanity, creating an escapist and enjoyable experience.