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As a lover of standalone thrillers from the early 2000s, I was excited to watch “No Exit,” which premiered on Hulu in 2022. I was intrigued to learn that the Movie was originally slated for a theatrical release by Fox, but was later pushed to the streaming service due to the current market for thrillers. It’s true that “No Exit” has a low budget and only a few familiar faces(unless you count the Allstate guy), making it the type of movie that probably wouldn’t perform well in multiplexes today.

Despite the slow start, “No Exit” is a grisly piece of work that ultimately earns your suspension of disbelief. The movie blows up its premise early by revealing the kidnapper before the end of the first act. However, this is the type of script that you would know is based on a novel without even seeing the credits. It has about a half-dozen chapter-ending twists that keep you guessing until the end. There are a lot of secrets in the rest stop where the story takes place, and while some viewers may be put off by the coincidences and contrivances, “No Exit” works better as it piles up the insanity.

The director, Damien Power, admirably holds it together in terms of craft, getting brutal enough to remind people that he made “Killing Ground” while also having a stronger eye than a lot of streaming original directors, especially in the chaotic final act. While “No Exit” isn’t quite a white-knuckle ride, it may provide just enough mileage for viewers seeking reasonably diverting popcorn thrills.

That being said, not all viewers were pleased with the film. One user review on Rotten Tomatoes claimed that the events of the movie made no logical sense, with many missed opportunities by the characters and openings left by the villains that were never exploited. This reviewer also criticized the moments that were supposed to be cool in the film, stating that they seemed cringy and fell flat.

Another user review on IMDb echoed this sentiment, claiming that the movie had next to nothing in common with the book it was based on. The review criticized the screenwriter for being an egotist and accused the studio of blatantly disregarding the source material. The reviewer also expressed frustration with the trend of movies being made by people who clearly hate the source material. See here. Specifically, if you want to read the book so bad, then read the fucking book.

Despite these negative reviews, I found “No Exit” to be an enjoyable thriller that scratched my itch for the type of movie that used to be more commonplace in theaters. The movie may not be perfect, but it’s a solid addition to the genre and provides enough twists and turns to keep viewers engaged.

One thing that stood out to me was the casting of Dennis Haysbert and Dale Dickey, who both delivered strong performances. Haysbert played a retired military veteran, while Dickey plays his enigmatic wife. The scenes between the two actors were particularly gripping, adding depth to the story and making it more than just a simple thriller.

In conclusion, “No Exit” may not be a groundbreaking film, but it’s an enjoyable addition to the thriller genre. The movie may not play well in multiplexes today, but it’s a good fit for streaming services like Hulu. If you’re a fan of standalone thrillers from the early 2000s, I would definitely recommend giving “No Exit” a watch.

Rating: ★★★

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