No Exit

Dennis Iu's 2022 thriller film, No Exit, is a gripping and suspenseful portrayal of a young woman's desperate struggle to uncover a dark truth. The film tells the story of Darby Sinclair, a recovering addict who has hit rock bottom. With a history of addiction and a string of failed relationships, Darby's newfound sobriety seems to be her only beacon of hope for a better life. As the film begins, we see Darby driving solo down a desolate mountain road during a raging blizzard. She stops at a convenience store to refuel and gather supplies before continuing her journey. However, a severe snowstorm forces her to abandon her car at an isolated rest stop, where she seeks refuge alongside a few other stranded travelers. The group consists of two eccentric locals named Lewis and Sarah, who seem to be on a romantic getaway, and a mysterious couple, Tom and Laura, who appear to be on their way to a family gathering. Among them, we also find Joe, the caretaker of the rest stop, who seems to be watching the group with an air of curiosity. As the night wears on, Darby becomes increasingly uneasy, realizing that one of the cars at the rest stop bears no license plate, a detail she later discovers suggests the car is not registered in the state. When she peers into the car through an open window, she sees a young girl cowering in the backseat, hidden from view by a tangle of blankets. Convincing herself that someone else may notice the girl or report her safely, Darby continues to observe the group, growing increasingly convinced that one of them is a kidnapper. Her anxiety and paranoia escalate as she watches their seemingly innocent interactions, searching for any clue that might reveal the truth. As the blizzard rages on, Darby becomes trapped in the situation, struggling to find a way out. The group's friendly demeanor makes her question her own perceptions, fueling a growing sense of dread. Desperate to do the right thing, Darby resorts to a series of increasingly desperate and reckless decisions, putting herself at risk and challenging her resolve to stay sober. As tensions rise, Darby realizes that she must act quickly to save the child, but she is met with resistance at every turn. Her attempts to expose the truth are met with skepticism and hostility from the group, who are either unaware of the child's presence or complicity in the crime. As the storm reaches its peak, an eerie game of cat and mouse ensues, with Darby fighting against the odds to uncover the kidnapper's identity and rescue the young girl. Her resolve is tested when, in desperation, she takes matters into her own hands, forcing her onto a perilous collision course with the very people she has been observing. Throughout the film, the atmosphere is tense and foreboding, as the audience is left guessing alongside Darby, unsure of who to trust or what will happen next. In a clever twist that keeps viewers on the edge of their seats, the film masterfully subverts expectations, revealing a series of shocking secrets that completely upend the narrative. The film's suspense builds to a heart-stopping conclusion as Darby makes a final, desperate play to save the child and expose the culprit. In doing so, she must confront the darkness that has haunted her in the past and make a choice that will forever change the course of her life. With outstanding performances from Amy Seimetz as Darby, the film's central character, and John Ales as Joe, the rest stop caretaker, No Exit delivers a riveting and gripping thrill ride that keeps viewers on the edge of their seats. The film raises thought-provoking questions about addiction, the power of observation, and the true nature of human behavior.