The Retreat

2020

1h 28m

Horror

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List

71%

7 Reviews

Tomatometer

38%

Fewer than 50 Ratings

Audience Score

A man encounters a legendary Native American creature while backpacking in the Adirondacks in New York.

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Paul Lê

Nightmare on Film Street

Wemple is speedily launching a trademark formula among modern monster movies — he marries the science of the mind with wild things that defy the basic laws of science.

Rated: 9/10

Jul 23, 2023

Full Review

Swapnil Dhruv Bose

Film Threat

It beats us over the head with its platitudes while painfully pretending otherwise.

Rated: 3.5/10

Mar 4, 2021

Full Review

Alix Turner

Ready Steady Cut

A potentially decent film about tension between best friends, monsters in the snow, and alternate versions of what might have happened. The only clear message is don't take drugs.

Rated: 2.5/5

Feb 18, 2021

Full Review

Joel Fisher

Battle Royale With Cheese

The Retreat may have taken on too much as by the end, the tone changes and disappointingly goes with what audiences may want rather than what would have served the story better.

Nov 15, 2020

Full Review

Jennie Kermode

Eye for Film

Wemple's command of a range of distinctive cinematic styles changes the tone between different sections of the narrative nicely.

Rated: 3.5/5

Nov 12, 2020

Full Review

Niall Browne

Movies in Focus

The Retreat is a film which takes-on the Native American Wendigo myth and delivers a truly fascinating piece of genre cinema.

Rated: 4/5

Nov 10, 2020

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Audience Member

How much of the Wendigo legend is true? One man while talking to his psychiatrist tries to recall the events of what happened to him A couple backpackers go to a retreat in the Adirondack mountains They hear about the Native American legend of the Wendigo monster and go about the wilderness Unbeknownst to them though something monstrous is lurking in the shadows But is it real or just their minds playing tricks on them? Much of this movie's lonely setting works because it's cut off from civilization An unsettling score helps elevate the mood But damn the movie's excessive murky lighting particularly the night scenes, a lot of it is really hard to make out Kind of a shame too this only focuses on one man alone and his sanity and solitude being pushed to the limits Having the other backpackers maybe would've been wiser But from a psychological perspective the Wendigo can be taken as a mental creation; it's not the monster that takes form it's the spirit There's a lot of confusing editing here that'll be off putting but as far as losing grip on reality it'll resonate with those whom have been on acid trips It tries to be about tension between best friends, monsters in the snow, and alternate versions of what might have happened It comes off as more of a letdown to what could've been but it's short to say the least

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

10/27/23

Full Review

Logan D

Two friends hike the Adirondacks to celebrate one's wedding. They encounter a creature from Native American lore. The film had a lot of potential. I enjoyed the slippery reality experienced by the lead. And oftentimes the shots of the creature are spooky. However, the plot runs thin and we're not made to care about the characters. Some of the acting is flat as well.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

09/24/23

Full Review

Thomas R

There is so much to like about "The Retreat," but it feels unfocused, unrefined, and incomplete. I really enjoyed the actors' performances (Grant Schumacher, Dylan Grunn, and Chris Cimperman). [There was some intangible, underneath-the-surface tension occurring that the script didn't quite flesh out.] I liked the Native American folklore monster Wendigo. I liked the ominous movie soundtrack. I love the wide-open, yet claustrophobic, cinematography of the Adirondack High Peaks. I liked the feelings of uneasiness and uncertainty caused by the delusional scenes. But which parts of the plot were real and which elements were induced by the hallucinogenic tea? I see glimpses of brilliance in Director Bruce Wemple, but he needs to sharpen his film-making skills to create a cohesive, cogent, and more polished horror film.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

07/17/23

Full Review

Hugo S

A backpacking trip takes a dark turn when two best friends encounter the mythic monster known as The Wendigo. The movie relies on its ambiguity to create tension: is the main character under the influence of the creature's supernatural abilities or is he simply under the influence of drugs? The viewer is taken on a psychedelic trip that remains fairly interesting due to this ambiguity. However, the journey culminates with a pathetic and disastrous ending!

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

04/10/23

Full Review

TheLightMudkip

Personally, one of my favourite movies of all time. The initial feel of someone just surviving, changing it to a complete mind f*** for the second act. The therapy meeting, the flip of perspectives, and the question of what real and what isn't. I will admit, it could've done without Ryan's fate, all in all, great film. 8/10, should watch.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

03/12/23

Full Review

Joe W

"The Retreat", is a clumsy attempt at making a psychological horror thriller out of the Native American legend of the Wendigo. Forgettable performances, and horror clichés abound, and to top it off, throw in some swirling distorted computer effects straight of photoshop circa 1994. and you've got a terrible movie that goes on, and on. Skip this one. It's not even fun as a hate watch.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

03/04/23

Full Review

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Bruce Wemple

Director

Grant Schumacher

Gus

Dylan Grunn

Adam

Chris Cimperman

Ryan

Rick Montgomery Jr.

Marty

Peter Stray

Therapist

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Teddy

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Blood-Red Ox

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The Retreat: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

A man encounters a legendary Native American creature while backpacking in the Adirondacks in New York.

Director: Bruce Wemple
Producer: Anna Shields, Cole Payne, Roger M. Mayer
Screenwriter: Bruce Wemple
Production Co: 377 Films, Traverse Terror
Genre: Horror
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 10, 2020
Runtime: 1h 28m

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