Imagine the chaos that can unfold during a family vacation—it's often a recipe for disaster! From kids insisting they just visited the restroom only to demand another pit stop minutes later, to overpriced fast-food joints that somehow always forget your order’s dipping sauce, planning a getaway can be a challenge. But what if the destination you’ve chosen for your precious two-week escape turns out to have a chilling history involving a gruesome cannibal massacre that happened nearly 200 years ago? This is precisely the unsettling premise explored in the upcoming film, "Get Away."
This darkly comedic horror flick, set to release in 2024, dives headfirst into such an eerie scenario and revels in escalating tension, showcasing bizarre local traditions and the kind of over-the-top violence that fans of slasher comedies will definitely appreciate. Nick Frost, known for his work on "Shaun of the Dead," takes on solo writing duties here, delivering a brand of irreverent humor that thrives on the absurdity of dire situations.
"We Really Need This"
The film begins with a seemingly straightforward storyline but quickly ventures into increasingly awkward and uncomfortable territory. We meet Richard (played by Nick Frost) and his wife Susan (Aisling Bea), along with their two children, Sam (Sebastian Croft) and Jessie (Maisie Ayres). As this family makes their way to the remote Swedish island of Svalta, Susan expresses a heartfelt desire for this vacation: she truly needs a break. The subtext is evident; both she and Richard have been working tirelessly throughout the year, and now they finally have a moment to unwind before returning to their hectic everyday lives.
Their primary motivation for visiting Svalta lies in witnessing a local theatrical performance commemorating the 200th anniversary of a British quarantine. This quarantine led to a handful of survivors, their descendants still residing on the island today, who resorted to cannibalism when their food supplies ran out and were never restocked. Although it remains unclear whether the family has any ancestral ties to these islanders, the choice of vacation spot feels rather peculiar.
Upon their arrival, however, the family is greeted not with warm hospitality but with hostility and resentment, as if their presence is an unwelcome intrusion. They discover dead animals left at their bed-and-breakfast entrance, and it soon becomes apparent that someone has been rifling through their belongings during their excursions. Jessie even begins to suspect that hidden mirror doorways exist in their lodging, suggesting that someone may be closely monitoring her every move.
The tension reaches a climax during the very ceremony the family came to witness, revealing that not everything on the island is what it appears to be. Following a series of traumatic incidents—details intentionally left vague so you can uncover them on your own—the family realizes they’re vastly outnumbered by the locals and decide they must reclaim their sense of dignity by any means necessary before they leave the island for good.
Predictable Until It’s Not
In its initial acts, "Get Away" unfolds like a classic tale of folk horror. A group of outsiders stumbles into a place where they clearly don’t belong, and the local residents engage in increasingly strange rituals that most individuals would find alarming enough to flee from. However, the film cleverly subverts these expectations through the reactions of Richard and Susan’s family, who seem remarkably unfazed by the uncanny happenings around them.
They are fully aware that they are not welcome on Svalta, yet they remain undeterred. This is their vacation—their sole opportunity to relax and bond as a family before diving back into their routine, and they refuse to let a bunch of bizarre locals spoil it. Much of the film's humor stems from this stark contrast in tone, with Nick Frost adopting a surprisingly calm demeanor in the face of what many would classify as a nightmare.
If you find yourself feeling restless during the apparent lull in conflict, just hang tight for the third act, where things take a dramatic turn and descend into a chaotic struggle for survival. The buildup leads to one of the most unexpected twist endings you might encounter in recent cinema.
For those who already appreciate Nick Frost's unique screen presence and comedic delivery, "Get Away" promises to be an enjoyable watch. His performance is complemented by those of Aisling Bea, Sebastian Croft, and Maisie Ayres, who together portray a quintessential English family trying to navigate an utterly absurd situation while subtly hinting that they shouldn’t be underestimated. Sometimes, the most polite individuals are exactly the ones you wouldn’t want to cross.
As of now, "Get Away" is available for streaming on Tubi, offering a compelling mix of horror and comedy that is sure to entertain.
