THE LAST EXIT
Starring: Joely Richardson, Neil Linpow, Sadie Soverall, Harry Cadby, and Roger Ajogbe
Director: Matthias Hoene
NICK
The Last Exit (aka Little Bone Lodge) is quite the ride. What starts off feeling like a run-of-the-mill home invasion thriller soon becomes something far more interesting. Director Matthias Hoene isn’t afraid to take big swings, and while they don’t all pay off, the attempts should be commended. The film is more than just the sum of its twists, however, as Joely Richardson and Neil Linpow are the ones who really sell the somewhat convoluted script with honest performances. The Last Exit isn’t without flaws – it’s low on rewatch value and drags a little – but it’s bound to keep your attention.
KATIE
The Last Exit is a tense home-invasion thriller with dark secrets around every corner. From the outset, it establishes an oppressive atmosphere that sets up some interesting alongside questionable family dynamics. Although some of the twists and turns announce themselves a little too early on, the dedicated cast drives the story. Joely Richardson gives a striking performance as the matriarch, transforming effortlessly between being sweetly benevolent and severely unhinged, and Harry Cadby and Neil Linpow’s dysfunctional brotherly relationship brings intense emotional melodrama. It’s not perfect, but it undeniably gripped my attention.
PAIGE
The Last Exit, also known as Little Bone Lodge, is a dark and intense film that, unfortunately, isn’t thrilling enough to latch onto. Admittedly, it does have a tolerable amount of mystery and enough surprises to keep an audience engaged, but the twists are just not overwhelmingly shocking. The story is lackluster at times due to its pacing, and it’s filled with familiar tropes from a basic script that feels like it’s missing ambition in its concept. That said, the film does manage to excel in its characters and their dynamics.
This film was reviewed by Nick as part of Bitesize Breakdown's coverage of the 2023 Toronto After Dark Film Festival.