No Escape: Turmoil and Tension

Alright, folks, grab your fika and let’s dive into “No Escape.” Yep, it’s the one with Owen Wilson, who you’d usually see cracking jokes, taking a wild turn here – serious stuff. Directed by John Erick Dowdle, who apparently loves throwing people into chaos (he also did “Quarantine”), this film’s got some proper tension going on.

The premise? An unsuspecting American family moves to Southeast Asia only to find themselves in the middle of a coup. It’s like you went for a peaceful hike in Hagaparken and suddenly got lost in a polar bear exhibit – pure mayhem. Wilson nails the desperate dad vibe though, with Lake Bell by his side holding her own. And Pierce Brosnan pops in with the classic “I’m here to save the day” routine. I think his Bond days have some lingering effects.

But, mate, here’s where it gets dicey. While the film’s intense, it kinda felt like drinking a lukewarm coffee. It’s gripping for a moment, then sags. Maybe it’s just me but I got this strange sense like they were using every thriller trope in the book – running, hiding, dramatic jumps – almost felt like a high-strung dance at a Swedish wedding. You know the ones.

Speaking of dances, back in the day, I attended a cultural event in Stockholm. They staged a performance that was all about human resilience in harsh conditions. I remember leaving with a strange satisfaction by the way they depicted survival. “No Escape” scratches that itch, sort of, but doesn’t quite hit the mark.

Would I watch it again? Maybe, if you’re in the mood for some edge-of-your-seat action with a family twist. It’s no Ingmar Bergman, but then again, what is? Grab some kanelbullar, settle in, and decide for yourself. There’s something relatable in that sheer human struggle, I guess.

Check the trailer below