Directed by Damien Power from a screenplay by Andrew Barrer and Gabriel Ferrari, “No Exit” tells the story of a woman recovering from substance use disorder who finds herself in a desperate struggle for survival after coming across a kidnapped young girl in a rest stop parking lot. The film stars Havana Rose Liu, Danny Ramirez, David Rysdahl, Dale Dickey, Dennis Haysbert and Mila Harris. The film is currently available to stream on Hulu.
“No Exit” revolves around Darby Thorne, played by Liu, who is recovering from substance use disorder and makes a daring escape from a rehabilitation center to visit her ailing mother in a hospital. Unfortunately, her plans are hampered by an unexpected blizzard, forcing her to take shelter in a nearby rest stop. Those also in the rest stop include the charming Ash, played by Ramirez, the perpetually anxious Lars, played by Rysdahl and an old married couple, played by Dickey and Haysbert.
During a trip outside to get cell service, she stumbles upon a tied-up girl named Jay in a van, played by Harris. Not knowing who the kidnapper is, Darby resolves to covertly discern their identity and free the hostage before it’s too late.
From a storytelling standpoint, “No Exit” does nothing particularly exceptional. The substance use disorder angle of Darby’s story is mainly used as a setup for why she has to stay at the rest stop, with a minor, if bizarre, payoff in the climax. The central mystery and selling point of the movie, the identity of Jay’s kidnapper(s), is handled competently, though not spectacularly. Eagle-eyed viewers, as well as seasoned genre fans, will probably piece together most of the reveals before the movie may want them to.
“No Exit” has no loftier ambitions than being a 95-minute thrill ride with a comfortably familiar premise, a goal it achieves perfectly. Director Power creates a relentlessly tense atmosphere with every shot, at times seemingly paying homage to the climax of “The Shining.” The perpetually droning background wind employed by sound designer Mike Boraso quickly unnerves viewers and sells the isolation brought about by the blizzard.
This focus on suspense, however, does not mean “No Exit” refuses to indulge in some truly shocking violence, which may be too much for some non-horror fans. Though these sequences border on gratuitous, they are nonetheless important to sell the danger of the situation and bring greater catharsis to the protagonist’s victories.
For her first lead role in a feature film, Liu delivers an impressive showing. Darby’s struggles with substance use disorder and trauma are heartbreakingly realistic, allowing so much of her history to be read between the lines of her performance. Though he may be more well known for his appearances in Allstate insurance commercials, Haysbert is the perfect fit for the former Marine, Ed, possessing a calm and affable demeanor that is nevertheless able to handle dangerous situations. The rest of the supporting cast does a good job as well, though no one in particular stands out.
While there might be better options in the suspense genre, “No Exit” provides audiences with a tense filled experience packed with thrilling encounters and fine performances, making this a worthwhile experience for viewers.
