The Retreat

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The Retreat

2021

1h 22m

Mystery & Thriller

Horror

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

77%

Tomatometer

26 Reviews

43%

Popcornmeter

50+ Ratings

Renee and Valerie, a couple at a cross roads in their relationship, leave the city to spend the week at a remote cabin with friends. But when they arrive, their friends are nowhere to be found. As they stumble through their relationship woes, they discover they are being hunted by a group of militant extremists who are determined to exterminate them.

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Critics Consensus

It wields its horror elements more effectively than its social themes, but The Retreat is a wilderness slasher that gore-hungry viewers should savor.

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Drew Gregory

Autostraddle

06/02/2021

Understanding the characters and setting would make the disruption hit us harder. Instead there's a disconnect... But that doesn't mean the movie isn't still entertaining.

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Richard Whittaker

Austin Chronicle

06/01/2021

2.5/5

Mills has a grasp of survival horror pacing that builds up a few good thrills and chills... Yet The Retreat always manages to take a step back from its innovative or even solid moments.

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Randy Myers

San Jose Mercury News

05/27/2021

3/4

"The Retreat" is efficient and angry with an explosive screenplay from Alyson Richards.

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Anya Stanley

Vague Visages

01/08/2024

While having gay leads is a refreshing inclusion in a genre that has historically excised or executed them, Mills’ movie is a toothless response to the ‘bury your gays’ trope.

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Carla Hay

Culture Mix

10/28/2021

Even though The Retreat is completely predictable in how the story unfolds, it's a horror movie that's very effective in creating suspense and conveying 'race against time' terror.

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Dennis Harvey

48 Hills

06/14/2021

Alyson Richards' screenplay is tonally all over the place, making for a movie that seems to eventually make a joke of content with which it's just genuinely upset us.

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Dustin S

@SaddamMustaine Dec 5

Here’s another "what could have been" film. There’s so many horrors that just cannot stick the landing to save their life. Lots of good stuff in this and a lot of good social commentary but the ending is so weak. Did they have to get off the property during filming before sunset? What the hell was the rush here? That whole ending felt IMPROVISED. What are we doing?

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Troy M

@TroyMuni Nov 22

I’ve started writing down the names of these so called "top-critics" who rate trash like this fresh. If your priority is seeing an actual good horror movie, this isn’t it. If your priority is supporting a social agenda masquerading as a horror movie, this is perfect for you. At least it’s free on Shudder….but so is Good Boy - and the dog alone is a better actor than literally the entire cast put together of this travesty.

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Leah B

@LeahB3 Nov 20

I loved it. It was cathartic and a wild ride. Happy pride every day , or else 😁🌈🪓

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Charles P

@RT36323923 Oct 31

Sweet Jaysus is this one a stinker. Not even throw it on in the background worthy - a truly miserable exercise in wannabe filmmaking.

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Sami A

@RT09135969 03/30/2025

Basic and repetitive!!! The critics got it wrong time!

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Hugo S

@Hugo_Shudder 04/11/2023

A survival horror movie with an LGBT theme. A lesbian couple goes for a weekend break at a B&B in the woods. What follows next is far from being the idyllic trip they wished for: the couple is targeted by some locals motivated by hate crimes. But revenge is a dish best served cold! "The Retreat" feels predictable and the gory final act does not save the movie from being an overall dull experience.

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Synopsis

Renee and Valerie, a couple at a cross roads in their relationship, leave the city to spend the week at a remote cabin with friends. But when they arrive, their friends are nowhere to be found. As they stumble through their relationship woes, they discover they are being hunted by a group of militant extremists who are determined to exterminate them.

Director: Pat Mills
Producer: Alyson Richards, Lauren Grant
Screenwriter: Alyson Richards
Distributor: Quiver Distribution
Production Co: Alyson Richards Productions
Genre: Mystery & Thriller, Horror
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): May 21, 2021, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): May 21, 2021
Runtime: 1h 22m