By Romey Norton September 17, 2024
Escape is a dramatic thriller that puts everything to the test as a bunch of kidnapped girls must fight and work together to survive. Escape is written, directed and produced by Howard J Ford, making this his 10th feature; he’s previously collaborated with GFM Film Sales on 2022’s The Ledge and 2021’s The Lockdown Hauntings.
Synopsis
Carla and Tamsin are two best friends, who’s blissful island adventure takes a dangerous turn after a ruthless gang kidnaps them. The girl's strength and determination turns the gang's easy score into a game of survival. As girls escape, they turn on their captors, fighting for their lives.
Review
There is violence from the get-go as the film opens with a dramatic chase scene, leaving a girl seriously wounded and now is ‘unsellable’. Instead of succumbing to her pain, the girl gets up, and fights back - beating the life out of her attacker. It’s brutal, and satisfying.
But then the film's pace slows down. Some scenes are drawn-out and could have been more exciting - such as the actual kidnapping. Then scenes could have been pushed further, to really emphasise what trauma these women are going through. There is one scene where two of the girls open up and bond over their past experiences, and this vulnerability and emotion helps the audience resonate and understand the characters' next actions. Other than the impressive acting, it’s a scene that drives the story along.
Whilst some acting is compelling, (especially from Sophie Alexandra Marks and Sophie Rankin) there are sections where the acting and characters are flat - usually when people are just standing around talking. When there’s action this film is at its strongest, and a lot of the action happens after the girls escape - the last thirty minutes of the film especially. Without too many spoilers, the cat and mouse chase they create is intense.
Audiences may have mixed feelings when it comes to the fact that only young, hot, blonde women get kidnapped, after falling for flirting. This might make the film seem a little sexist and limit its audience. I think the aim is to make these women seem as weak and vulnerable as possible, so when they kick back and fight with vengeance it's a shock.
Escape was filmed over a few weeks in the Canary Islands which gives it some stunning location shots. It made me want to go on holiday - minus the kidnapping.
Escape does well in exploring themes of empowerment, resilience, identity, survival and retribution, through a sisterly bond and the need to survive. The ending is quite funny - I’m not sure if it intended to be, but I did laugh. There are times where the film doesn’t seem to take itself so seriously, so maybe go in with the idea that it’s a cheesy thriller with some decent acting and you’ll enjoy Escape.
Star Rating
Escape releases on digital September 30
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