Martin (Cillian Murphy) and Kate (Thandie Newton) are suffering from marital problems. They head out to an island on the west coast of Scotland, an island to which it is implied that they have been before. Their attitudes to each other are defined by the situation that has created the problems in their marriage.

Yet, the marital problem really is not relevant to the plot line in the 2011 film Retreat. It is more of a setup to get the couple to the cabin so that the film enters into the thriller zone. Enter Jack (Jamie Bell). The couple finds him outside bloody and unconscious. They take him in and when he wakes up the tension is high. Jack frantically starts to board up the windows. When asked what was wrong, he explains to them that there is a massive virus spreading across Europe. The disease and the diseased are on their way to the island. They have to keep the virus out.

What follows is a twisted mystery keeping you guessing what will happen next, but I don't want to spoil it for you.Just trust me: though the investment into the film is weak, it's worth sticking with it to the end. In fact, at times, it'll leave you going, "What the . . . .?!?"

It is a challenge to make a film focusing on only three characters work without getting bored. The cast is incredible in their roles.The sense of mystery is excellent. But the writing and the plot makes it hard to love.It tries too hard to explain why things are the way they are.So many films in this genre don't waste the time. Still, if you like a good thriller-suspense film, add Retreat to your to-rent list.

While the film didn't thrill me, it didn't cause me to want to turn it off. It maintained the right amount of mystery to keep me interested. The film does, however, cause you to ponder what you would do. It would be a great tool to use with a young adult group and discuss the theological ethics of the different characters, why they chose to do what they did, how the events around them changed their ethics, and how you would decide.