2025 BFI London Film Festival Review – Retreat

      Retreat, 2025.

      Directed by Ted Evans.

      Featuring Anne Zander, Sophie Stone, James Joseph Boyle, Ace Mahbaz, Tianah Hodding, Anna Seymore, Brian Duffy, and Naomi Postawa-Husar.

      SYNOPSIS:

      In a secluded community for the deaf, Matt's perfect life begins to fracture with the arrival of Eva, forcing him to reevaluate his identity and the price of sustaining his seemingly ideal society.

      Ted Evans' Retreat opens with a disquieting series of black-and-white images of school children that escalate in severity as the film progresses. This quiet yet powerful imagery stirs memories of real-life horrors, accompanied by disturbing, unsettling sounds. This atmosphere lingers throughout the film.

      Fast forward to the current day, and we find ourselves in a school or commune—whatever you prefer to call it—where Deaf individuals seek solace from a world that marginalizes them. Mia (Sophie Stone) oversees the community, presenting a warmth that may mask hidden motives. Her early interactions suggest a cult-like animosity towards the outside world, while a painting hangs behind her that L. Ron Hubbard might reconsider displaying.

      Mia is central to the story because of the upcoming arrival of Eva (Anne Zander), a new resident from Germany with a mysterious background and fresh perspectives through which the audience views this insular world. Quiet, reserved, and playing with the bracelets on her wrists, Eva is encouraged to “trust us” and to dismiss the “limiting beliefs” of the outside. Despite a chilling incident involving a strange alarm and the behind-closed-doors 'rehabilitation' she endures, she acclimates surprisingly fast to this unfamiliar setting.

      For much of the film, it seems as though Eva is the primary focus of the narrative; however, the script makes a surprising shift halfway through, prompting the audience to take a leap of faith similar to what the school expects of Eva. Your willingness to do so might affect your enjoyment of Retreat, as a character you’ve supported since her arrival suddenly begins making choices that seem out of character.

      The focus then shifts to Matt, played by James Joseph Boyle, who has been a resident of the school for as long as he can remember and has developed a bond with Eva. Observing her integration into his world sparks an inner turmoil in him, igniting a chain of bleak events for the remainder of the film.

      Regardless of whether the outrageous twists of the final act resonate with you, Evans expertly crafts a looming sense of dread that pervades the story. From the previously mentioned alarm sequence, where residents are herded into the basement like during the Blitz, to a nail-biting standoff in a wooded clearing involving two rebellious residents and a loaded gun, Retreat constantly keeps you guessing, often staying a step ahead or veering off in an unexpected direction.

      The sound design, or its absence due to the BSL-centered narrative, plays a crucial role in enhancing certain scenes. Moments where the audio is muted to amplify what the characters are experiencing are particularly impactful, while the sound design also highlights the community's positive experiences with noise, from vibrant music to clapping with their feet.

      The performances across the cast are excellent; Sophie Stone delivers a portrayal that feels perpetually on the brink of something darker, which is intensified by her character's restrained nature; Boyle shines as his perspective shifts, quickly garnering sympathy through his expressions of longing and sadness; although Zander's character suffers from the plot developments of the latter half, she effectively embodies the gentle, wide-eyed aspiring protagonist.

      Retreat is an ambitious and distinctive interpretation of the classic cult narrative. It combines elements of a thriller and a journey of self-discovery for a damaged individual, remaining thoroughly engaging throughout, even as it starts to unravel towards a chaotic conclusion.

      Flickering Myth Rating – Film ★ ★ ★ / Movie ★ ★ ★

      Matt Rodgers – Follow me on Twitter