No Escape

Warning: No Escape contains graphic images of gallantry. Some material might not be suitable for viewers offended by scenes of a vulnerable woman relying on a valiant man.

But not a he-man: Nothing about Jack Dwyer (Owen Wilson) says Hollywood hero—except, of course, his first name. Neither strikingly handsome nor physically imposing, Jack’s strength arises from his devotion to his wife, Annie (Lake Bell), and their two young daughters. They adore him and trust him for their welfare, even after a career setback forces Jack to take a less-than-ideal position with an American firm in Cambodia.

During his family’s first evening in their new country, revolutionaries assassinate the prime minister. Mobs overrun the streets, executing Westerners on sight. (Critics are lining up to yell “Xenophobia!” in crowded theaters, but in a movie set during an Asian coup d’état, there are gonna be some Asian bad guys.)

A savage gang hunts the Dwyers, driving Jack to increasingly desperate acts. Jack has no other options if he is to save his family.

Although No Escape occasionally relies on a mysterious but grubby British ex-pat’s (Pierce Brosnan) timely interventions to get the Dwyers out of a scrape, the film masterfully forces viewers to brawl a mile in Jack’s shoes. Viewers can’t escape the family’s mounting sense of dread—nor the film’s frequent bloodletting. Strong warning: A brutal sexual assault is unbearable to watch. For the violence and language, No Escape earns an R rating.

Still, the film could earn kudos for portraying a positive traditional family dynamic. Crouching against a wall, not knowing if her family will survive the hour, Annie tells Jack the “most profound thing” in her life is being their girls’ mother. Annie’s no weakling, yet she confidently follows her husband’s lead. And in his moment of doubt, she inspires him to be the family’s hero.