
Thandie Newton, Jason Isaacs
and David Tennant are attached to star in Magnet Films’ psychological thriller Retreat. The film, to be directed
by newcomer Carl Tibbetts, follows a couple (played by Newton and Isaacs) who are seeking to rebuild their relationship by
taking time out on a remote island but their peace is shattered when they find a man in military uniform (Tennant) half-dead
on their doorstep who tells them there is a lethal virus killing millions on the mainland. Tibbetts co-wrote the script
with Janice Hallett and shooting is due to begin in May in Canada. In a last-ditch attempt to save their faltering marriage,
30-something professional couple Martin & Kate Badenoch retreat to the remote and unpopulated island of Dinnish, a place
where they once shared a romantic idyll. It is autumn on the island. The rocky, barren moors are blown by freezing winds
and the generator in the couple’s cottage is failing. Anxieties are pushed higher when they lose all contact with the
mainland, and find themselves inexplicably stranded and alone. Suddenly a wounded armed American stranger collapses at
their door with frightening news of cataclysmic events happening in the world outside. But who is this volatile, charismatic
American? And is he telling the truth? Slowly, the couple become unwitting prisoners to the stranger’s will. In a
series of tense twists the captive couple use all their ingenuity to outwit the stranger and unravel the ‘truth’
about the outside world. But is the truth what they really want to hear? Loyalties divide and merge, paranoia runs high and
conflicts bubble to the surface resulting in a violent and shocking conclusion. Magnet Films producer Gary Sinyor said:
“It reminded me of Dead Calm when I first read it. Only better. It’s got a similar sexual tension but the battle
of wits between the characters and plot twists are constantly surprising. We’re delighted to have secured three of the
UK’s most powerful actors.” It is UK based Magnet Film’s first foray into thrillers, following romantic
comedy In Your Dreams, rock and roll adventure The Story Of _ and football documentary In The Hands Of The Gods.
A short synopsis of the plot follows:
In a last-ditch attempt to save their faltering marriage, 30-something professional couple Martin &
Kate Badenoch retreat to the remote and unpopulated island of Dinnish, a place where they once shared a romantic idyll. It
is autumn on the island.
The rocky, barren moors are blown by freezing winds and the generator in the couple’s cottage is failing.
Anxieties are pushed higher when they lose all contact with the mainland, and find themselves inexplicably stranded and alone.
Suddenly a wounded armed American stranger collapses at their door with frightening news of cataclysmic events
happening in the world outside. But who is this volatile, charismatic American? And is he telling the truth? Slowly, the couple
become unwitting prisoners to the stranger’s will.
In a series of tense twists the captive couple use all their ingenuity to outwit the stranger and unravel
the ‘truth’ about the outside world. But is the truth what they really want to hear? Loyalties divide and merge,
paranoia runs high and conflicts bubble to the surface resulting in a violent and shocking conclusion.
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