Havana Rose Liu as Darby in 20th Century Studios’ NO EXIT, exclusively on Hulu. Photo by Kirsty Griffin. ©2022 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved. 
Havana Rose Liu as Darby in 20th Century Studios’ NO EXIT, exclusively on Hulu. Photo courtesy of 20th Century Studios. © 2022 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved. 
A scene from 20th Century Studios’ NO EXIT, exclusively on Hulu. Photo courtesy of 20th Century Studios. © 2022 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved.
The Disney owned streaming giant Hulu is really stepping up its game with regard to original programming and its latest film release NO EXIT is a prime example.
The movie follows protagonist Darby Thorne, a woman dealing with demons that have distanced her from her loved ones. When informed of a tragic family emergency, she attempts to get there but her efforts are thwarted by inclement weather. Arriving at a visitor rest station, and having to hole up with a group of strangers to wait out the storm, she finds more threatening circumstances when she stumbles across a young girl bound in a van in the parking lot. Not knowing who the kidnapper is, and having no access to help, Darby must figure out how to rescue the child and herself from dangerous forces unknown.
Based on the 2017 Taylor Adams novel of the same name, the movie is 1 hour and 35 minutes of pure adrenaline and entertainment. Director Damien Power constructs a partly dark and teasing ambiance with his lens to match the dank climate and unclarity of the threats faced, further adding intrigue, while the outstanding supporting cast – including veterans Dennis Haysbert (“LUV” “Naked“) and Dale Dickey (“Winter’s Bone”) – expertly keeps the audience guessing.
And Havana Rose Liu (“Mayday”) as Darby is a force of nature, pun intended, portraying a woman who is actively battling addiction while combating external forces to save others. I cheered as much for her badassery as I felt for her humanity and isolation from her loved ones.
Screenwriters Andrew Barrer & Gabriel Ferrari (“Ant-Man and the Wasp”) adapted a thrilling whodunit that keeps the audience on its toes and rooting for its lead until the final credits.
NO EXIT premiered Friday, February 25 on Hulu.
Until next thought, Thomasena
Synopsis: 20th Century Studio’s suspense/thriller “No Exit” is the story of Darby Thorne, a young woman en route to a family emergency who is stranded by a blizzard and forced to find shelter at a highway rest area with a group of strangers. When she stumbles across an abducted girl in a van in the parking lot, it sets her on a terrifying life-or-death struggle to discover who among them is the kidnapper. Directed by Damien Power (“Killing Ground”) from a screenplay by Andrew Barrer & Gabriel Ferrari (“Ant-Man and the Wasp”) based on Taylor Adams’ 2017 novel and produced by PGA Award winner Scott Frank (“The Queen’s Gambit”), the film stars Havana Rose Liu (“Mayday”), Danny Ramirez (“The Falcon and the Winter Soldier,” “Top Gun: Maverick”), David Rysdahl (“Nine Days”), Mila Harris (“Young Dylan”) and Dennis Haysbert (“Breakthrough”).
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