The Retreat (2021) is a tense survival thriller that centers on Kate and Sarah, a couple attempting to repair their strained relationship by escaping to a remote cabin in the woods. What begins as a quiet getaway meant for reconnection quickly turns unsettling as the isolation of the location reveals an undercurrent of unease. The forest surrounding them feels vast and watchful, offering beauty on the surface but hiding something far more dangerous beneath.

Soon after their arrival, the women notice strange signs that they are not alone. Unexplained noises, missing belongings, and fleeting figures in the distance suggest that someone is observing them. Their discomfort intensifies when they encounter a group of men who appear to be living off the grid nearby. At first, the interaction feels merely awkward, but subtle hostility and invasive behavior hint at a more sinister intent.

As Kate and Sarah attempt to leave, they realize escape is not as simple as it seems. Their car is sabotaged, communication with the outside world is cut off, and the forest that once felt peaceful becomes a maze designed to trap them. The men’s motives gradually come into focus, revealing a twisted ideology rooted in control, entitlement, and violence. The retreat is no longer a place of rest, but a hunting ground.

The film places strong emphasis on fear born from vulnerability. Kate and Sarah are forced to confront not only their attackers, but also their own emotional fractures. Past resentments and unspoken doubts surface under pressure, yet the situation also pushes them toward resilience and unity. Survival depends on their ability to trust each other and act decisively in the face of escalating danger.

As the pursuit grows more brutal, The Retreat shifts into a relentless game of cat and mouse. The forest becomes an extension of the antagonists’ power, but also a space where the women begin to reclaim agency. Moments of terror are punctuated by flashes of courage, turning fear into fuel for resistance.

In its final stretch, the film delivers a grim and confrontational resolution. Rather than offering comfort, it leaves the audience with a sense of lingering unease, emphasizing that the true horror lies not in the wilderness itself, but in the cruelty humans are capable of when removed from accountability. The Retreat ultimately stands as a stark survival story and a commentary on misogyny, isolation, and the fight to reclaim control in a world that seeks to strip it away.