‘Escape’ (2024) Movie Review - A Poorly Executed Plot

Ten young women are drawn to the promise of luxury and relaxation at an exclusive island resort, but their dream vacation quickly descends into a terrifying ordeal. Unbeknownst to them, the resort is a front for a sinister criminal syndicate involved in human trafficking. With chilling precision, the women are drugged and abducted, destined to be shipped overseas and sold into a brutal, hidden world of exploitation.

Among the captives are two women who refuse to give in to the horror surrounding them. One is a quick-thinking, compassionate nurse whose instincts drive her to protect and heal even in the darkest of circumstances. The other is a fiercely independent dancer, whose strength and tenacity have been forged through a life of hardship and resilience. Together, they form an unlikely partnership, united by their determination to escape and survive.

Trapped in an isolated, heavily guarded compound, the nurse and the dancer secretly work on a daring escape plan. They study their captors, exploit their weaknesses, and wait for the perfect moment to make their move. However, the syndicate is relentless and well-organized, and any misstep could cost them their lives.

Their plan is risky, their path uncertain, but the nurse and dancer know that the only way to reclaim their lives is to outwit a violent and dangerous criminal empire before it swallows them whole. The desert quickly proves to be as much of a threat as their pursuers. Dehydration sets in as water runs dangerously low, and every step across the blistering sands becomes a battle against exhaustion. Hunger gnaws at them, their bodies weakening with each passing hour, while shelter is nowhere in sight. As the days wear on, desperation begins to creep in. Yet, even as hope seems to dwindle, the women refuse to be broken. But the traffickers are not far behind. Ruthless and relentless, the gang scours the desert in search of their escaped captives, leaving no stone unturned in their pursuit.

In the face of unimaginable odds, their bond deepens. What began as a fight for survival becomes a testament to their shared resilience. They lean on each other for support, drawing strength from their unity as they navigate the desert’s challenges together. Every step forward becomes a symbol of their defiance, a refusal to surrender to fear or despair. They know that their lives are on the line, but they also know that together, they are stronger than anything their captors can throw at them. Will they escape? Or will they be killed?

Escape is a deeply flawed film that struggles to deliver on its premise, ultimately resulting in a disappointing experience. The plot is incoherent and riddled with clichés, failing to offer any meaningful development or depth to its characters. The story, which could have been a powerful exploration of survival and resilience, instead feels half-baked and contrived, lacking the tension and emotional stakes necessary to keep the audience engaged. One of the most troubling aspects of the film is the gratuitous and often unnecessary exposure of its female characters. Rather than empowering the women as central figures in a harrowing escape, the movie frequently objectifies them, undermining their agency and reducing them to mere spectacles. This undermines what could have been a strong, character-driven narrative, and instead, the film feels exploitative, relying on shock value rather than substance. The acting too is very average. All in all, you can skip the movie.

Final Score- [3/10]
Reviewed by - Neerja Choudhuri
Follow @NeerjaCH on Twitter
Publisher at Midgard Times