No Escape

An American family moves to a country in Southeast Asia that borders Vietnam but suddenly find themselves in the midst of a coup. Owen Wilson plays the father and Lake Bell the mother. Pierce Brosnan is on hand as a Brit that helps them out.

"No Escape" (2015) is an edge-of-your-seat thriller that tackles a real-life possibility. What happens if you're unexpectedly thrust into a situation where you HAVE to protect your family? Would you kill to survive? This is like "The Killing Fields" (1985) in the modern day, albeit way more compelling and succinct.

It's nice to see Owen in something serious; he plays the every-man role well. Meanwhile Lake ain't no slouch and Brosnan kicks axx in a peripheral part.

The film runs 1 hour, 43 minutes, and was shot in Thailand.

GRADE: A-/B+

A good story, well told is how I would describe this above-average American thriller that actually manages a certain level of intensity and momentum, two qualities I always look out for in my movies. It's a simple action thriller with a focus on movement and escape, as an American family visiting an unnamed south-east Asian country find themselves caught up in a coup and must literally flee for their lives.

The reason NO ESCAPE is so effective is because the storyline is a believable one. There's a decent sense of realism built up from the outset and just enough time given to develop the characters before throwing them into the deep end. I admit I was a bit nonplussed about the casting of Owen Wilson, but he was acceptable as the lead just as he was in the non-comedy BEHIND ENEMY LINES all those years ago. The rest of the cast have little to work with, but Pierce Brosnan brings a wry humour as the British tourist the family hook up with at their hotel.

The thriller sequences set in and around the hotel are by far the best bit of this film; they're edge of the seat stuff, with great cinematography to boost the action. After this point, the film drops down a notch and is never quite as thrilling; plus, I always dislike action set at night, because you can never see properly what's going on. Still, the hotel scenes alone are enough to make this a worthwhile watch.

My husband and I are big into movies of all genres and appreciate quality. We loved this movie. It was very intense/stressful with suspense from beginning to end. It speaks to what parents/family would do for each other. We had never seen Owen Wilson in a role like this, but thought he and Lake Bell did a phenomenal job! Believable performances by all. Even the kids did great. This movie is very underrated!

While the film isn't based on a true story, it is based on what the brothers/writers found playing out in their heads in 2014 when, while on a plane to Thailand, they learned of the coup against Thailand's newly elected officials and imagined what could have gone wrong.

One of the earlier reviews says this film isn't political but is there another way to see it? Here, in 2025, one might point out that the realism could be, well, sobering to anyone who still believes in unsecured borders or democratic socialism. While Vietnam isn't a vacation destination, I couldn't help but be moved by the power of military at their border (at least in this film) and the snap decision made to give harbor to the desperate family.

The film itself was well done. Acting was impressive, most of the videography was commendable, the music appropriately supported the scenes. It moves fast and simply never stops until the credits role (almost) making it an intense , entertaining watch Owen is a seasoned actor. Lake is apparently well known in the industry. The kids were believable. Pierce, though not my cup of tea, displays his expert acting ability.

But Owen just never sold the part for me, although he, admittedly, acted his butt off. I see why they thought he would be an ideal run of the mill, non-descript middle-management American yet his looks and mannerism are just so unique and it's hard to see him trying to be so serious and common.

But once you get around that and accept that the entire film is centered on having kids in tow, you can just enjoy the ride.

To their credit, the writers didn't have the kids become problematic -outside of the fact they naturally made escape more complicated - and really focuses on the love of family and the lengths we would go for them.

There were plenty of oh-come-on moments as this excessively lucky family kept evading their pursuers and appearing bullet proof.

If this were written today, it might be someone trying to demonstrate the purpose of a strong border and what seeking asylum really looks like.

I'm not sure if there's a message here other than 'always keep a Go-bag, & don't give up your guns.' But I think what the writers wanted it to be about was how an unexpected hero is in each of us under the right circumstances.

No Escape is one of the best action/thrillers of recent times. It isn't one of those movies that will be spoken about for years too come, but we must give credit where it is needed.

No Escape is a gripping, intense, cleverly put together movie. From the beginning the movie sets us up with the motives of why the family is moving and you feel connected with the main character Jack (Owen Wilson)who just wants to do whats best for his family. Seeing and loving, Owen Wilson is more comedic roles i didn't know how he would fair up is this action pact thriller, but i must admit, there may be a new genre around the corner and maybe another huge turning point in his career, sending him among the greats.

The film's writers have a lot to do with the success of this film, its script never dumbs down for the viewers, it is a script of what people would actually say and conversations that would actually happen in this situation. It makes you feel for the characters in the film and helps you to understand what is going on. You will feel apart of it. it cleverly leaves out all of the irrelevant details, keeping viewers guessing about what will happen next and how they will get out of a very sticky situation, while the mayhem continues around our main characters.

No Escape hits the ground running and never takes its foot off of the gas petal. Tensions are high and there is moments when you question how they are going to get out of an outrageously dangerous, near impossible situation. But it is not a movie where you feel as though the main character will survive no matter what. There are times where his death looks likely.

No Escape is a strong emotional and physical battle for survival and will have you on the edge of your seat from start to finish.

7.5/10

A must see, and a vastly underrated movie.