Retreat

Cillian Murphy and Thandie Newton play a yuppie couple having innumerbale marital problems so they go to an isolated cabin they often visit to have some alone time. The cabin is on a far off Scottish island and like all movies like this the generator is wonky, there is no cell phone coverage and the CB radio is old.

The characters are not entirely fleshed out because they play such brats. They are defined by the problems the script gives them. Newton is always depressed and mopey while Murphy apologizes a lot and is no good with tools.  They are obviously struggling due to the loss of their unborn child. One morning they find a bloodied/unconscious Jaime Bell lying outside.

When Bell wakes up he tells the couple that a disease is ravaging the world and they are not safe on the island. Having no contact with the outside world the couple don’t know whether he is crazy or not. All they know is that he is barracading the house and talking about the end of the world.

What follows is three solid actors doing good work in a claustrophobic experiment. Without these actors the movie would not have been nearly as enjoyable. Jamie Bell sinks his teeth into the pyscho role and proves to be realistically menacing. It is also nice to see Cillian Murphy in something not involving bats, space or inception.

I am happy to say that the “twist” at the end was neat. I didn’t see it coming and it made the experience worth it. The twist didn’t make you scoff and it added an unexpected layer. Retreat is worth the rent.

Watch Retreat. Be happy it is not Couple’s Retreat. Unless you do like Couples Retreat. Then, you will not like Retreat.