No Escape Review

Moving abroad can be one of the most stressful things to deal with. However, when the majority of the population is trying to kill you, then it can be a bit too much to deal with.  No Escape can only be compared to a cross between Argo and The Purge: Anarchy, with James Bond as a secondary character.

Inspired by writer/director John Dowdle’s trip to Thailand in 2006, No Escape is the fifth collaboration between John and his brother Drew (Quarantine, As above, so below). In John’s trip there was a peaceful military coup, fortunately his holiday managed to continue without disruption or danger. However, from this he and Drew managed to conjure up a cinematic action thrill-ride so tense from start to finish that your heart will either race, or stop altogether.

Owen Wilson (Wedding Crashers, Marley & Me) plays Jack Dwyer, executive of a Texan water company who’s forced to move overseas, taking his wife, Annie (Lake Bell – In A World…), and two daughters, Lucy and Beeze, with him. On the plane they meet British expat Hammond (Pierce Brosnan), a suspiciously dark and dangerous looking character who then offers to accompany them to the hotel, which he is conveniently staying at too. What they’re all unaware of is that they have arrived in the middle of a violent government coup that is a result of a deal made with the company that John is representing.  The next morning whilst John is roaming the city, a war between the police and revolutionaries begins in front of him. As he returns to the hotel the mob wade their way inside, methodically killing anyone not wearing a bandana. A brutal chase begins with danger and fear at every corner, pushing each character to their limits and seeing how far John will go to protect his family.

Being that Wilson generally plays more comedic and light-hearted roles, you would be forgiven for being concerned about the choice of casting. However, slightly incorporating a bit of humour here and there, Wilson’s performance is outstanding as the typical dad with bad jokes, but doesn’t hesitate to make the life saving decisions no matter how risky they may be. The connection made between John and the audience causes you to feel genuinely scared when he and his family are put in danger.

Pierce Brosnan’s character will raise many questions during the film, from his Passenger 47 entrance to his Kenny Rogers enthusiast of a friend/sidekick. His representation changes constantly, from being a dangerous and creepy stranger to a caring and instantly friendly acquaintance, and vice-versa.  The intelligence behind this however is that it defies the stereotypical character rule as it doesn’t surrender his moral compass from the very beginning.

Unlike most thrillers and action films, once the setting and plot is established No Escape wastes no time instilling fear from start to finish and with virtually no breaks to recover it manages to make it feel real, causing the constant threat and panic to also feel all the more real.

The stereotyping and xenophobic themes can be interpreted as either a cinematic technique, or slightly racist (depending on the audience – proceed with caution). It will have you engaged the moment the action begins to the moment it ends. If you will take anything away from this film, it will be the self-doubt next time you book a holiday abroad.

7.5/10