Retreat 2011

Thriller

Box Office

$5.7K

Runtime

90 min

Language

English

Directed by

Carl Tibbetts

Made by

Samuel Goldwyn Films

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Plot Summary

Read the complete plot summary and ending explained for Retreat (2011). From turning points to emotional moments, uncover what really happened and why it matters.

London architect Martin Kennedy (Cillian Murphy) and his frustrated journalist wife Kate (Thandie Newton) frequently escape to the desolate Blackholme Island, located off the west coast of Scotland, for their holiday getaways. The island is home to Fairweather Cottage, run seasonally by its owner Doug (whose actor link is not provided), and is accessible solely via ferry. Having previously gone through a traumatic miscarriage, the couple’s relationship has grown strained. In a bid to rekindle their bond, they embark on a return trip to the island.

A few nights into their stay, disaster strikes when the generator in the cottage explodes, injuring Martin’s arm and cutting off their electricity supply. They attempt to reach Doug via the CB radio, their only means of communication, but help is delayed. The tension mounts as Kate waits at the jetty for Doug, who never arrives. Soon after, a bloodied figure washes ashore—Private Jack Coleman (Jamie Bell)—who claims to be a soldier. He warns them of a devastating airborne illness called Argromoto Flu, codenamed R1N16. The disease originated in South America and has rapidly spread worldwide, proving entirely incurable and lethally contagious, causing victims to choke on blood.

As Jack explains that the military has lost control and civilians must remain confined, Martin makes the choice to trust him. Jack takes over, barricading doors and windows, but his behavior becomes increasingly erratic and unsettling. Doubts arise in Martin and Kate’s minds, raising suspicions that perhaps Jack is the threat rather than the disease. When Kate inquires about Jack’s marital status, he reveals his wife succumbed to R1N16, and his demeanor grows aggressive.

Desperate to escape, Martin and Kate attempt to leave the cottage; however, Jack uses force to restrain them, locking them in the bedroom at gunpoint. Martin cleverly sneaks out through a skylight and discovers the bodies of Doug and his wife by the pier, both victims of gun violence. Armed with Doug’s hunting shotgun, Martin confronts Jack, gaining the upper hand. Yet, as Kate works to restrain Jack, Martin begins to cough up blood—signaling his infection with Argromoto Flu.

In a heartbreaking twist, Kate finds herself compelled to shoot Martin, ending his suffering before it spirals into a slow demise. Under duress, Jack confesses he had been experimented on at a military facility before being released, inadvertently becoming a carrier of the virus. He reveals he was responsible for his wife’s death and had sought refuge on the island thinking he could quarantine himself. Moreover, Jack had manipulated the CB radio, ensuring Martin and Kate could not contact help.

After fixing the radio, the military broadcasts news of a supposed vaccine, but Jack warns Kate that the military’s claims are false and that they would eliminate anyone who discovered their survival. Distraught over the potential loss of Martin, Kate lashes out and fatally shoots Jack. As she attempts to flee the island with Martin’s lifeless body, a military helicopter appears overhead, and she meets a tragic end when a sniper’s bullet strikes her down.

Timeline

Follow the complete movie timeline of Retreat (2011) with every major event in chronological order. Great for understanding complex plots and story progression.

Arrival at Blackholme Island

Martin Kennedy and his wife, Kate, arrive at Blackholme Island for a vacation to reignite their strained relationship. They settle into Fairweather Cottage, looking forward to some peaceful time away from their struggles in London.

Blackholme Island

Generator Explosion

A few nights into their stay, disaster strikes when the generator at Fairweather Cottage explodes. Martin sustains an injury to his arm and they are left without electricity, creating an atmosphere of growing tension.

Fairweather Cottage

Communication Breakdown

Desperate for help, Martin and Kate attempt to reach Doug, the cottage's owner, via CB radio. However, their hopes for a quick response to their emergency are thwarted as assistance is delayed, amplifying their concerns.

Fairweather Cottage

Jack Coleman Washes Ashore

Their dire situation takes a turn when a bloodied figure, Private Jack Coleman, washes up on the shore. He claims to be a soldier and warns them about a lethal airborne illness, Argromoto Flu, that is spreading uncontrollably.

Blackholme Island

Escalating Tensions

As Jack provides more information about the deadly flu and how the military has lost control, Martin begins to trust him. Jack then takes charge, turning the couple's cottage into a makeshift fortress by barricading doors and windows.

Fairweather Cottage

Doubts and Suspicion

Martin and Kate's initial trust in Jack begins to deteriorate as his behavior grows erratic. Doubts surface regarding Jack's true intentions, raising fears that he might be more dangerous than the flu he warned them about.

Fairweather Cottage

Martin's Discovery

In a desperate attempt to escape, Martin sneaks out through a skylight and discovers the bodies of Doug and his wife by the pier, both victims of gun violence. This chilling revelation adds urgency to their plight and deepens their dread.

Pier near Fairweather Cottage

Martin Becomes an Infected Carrier

After confronting Jack with Doug's shotgun, Martin begins to cough up blood, revealing he has contracted the Argromoto Flu. The realization sends a shockwave through Kate, making their fight for survival all the more desperate.

Fairweather Cottage

Kate's Heartbreaking Decision

Faced with the torment of watching her husband suffer, Kate makes the unthinkable decision to shoot Martin, ending his suffering. This act leaves her emotionally shattered, grappling with her feelings of love and loss.

Fairweather Cottage

Jack's Confession

In a moment of vulnerability, Jack reveals to Kate that he was experimented on by the military, which turned him into an unwitting carrier of the virus. This frightening confession twists the narrative, raising questions about survival and trust.

Fairweather Cottage

Broadcast of a False Vaccine

After repairing the radio, Kate hears a military broadcast claiming a vaccine has been developed. However, Jack warns her that this is a lie and that anyone who finds out about their survival will be eliminated by the military.

Fairweather Cottage

Kate's Fatal Confrontation with Jack

In a fit of despair and anger, Kate shoots Jack after he reveals more about his past and the dangerous situation they’re in. This act of self-preservation comes at a high cost, fundamentally altering her journey on the island.

Fairweather Cottage

A Final Attempt to Escape

With the weight of the night’s tragedies upon her, Kate attempts to flee the island, trying to carry Martin's lifeless body with her. The haunting atmosphere around her is laden with the grief of everything she has lost.

Blackholme Island

Tragic End

As Kate makes her desperate bid for freedom, a military helicopter appears overhead. Her hope quickly turns to despair when a sniper’s bullet strikes her down, ending her tragic journey and the couple's harrowing ordeal.

Blackholme Island

Characters

Explore all characters from Retreat (2011). Get detailed profiles with their roles, arcs, and key relationships explained.

Martin Kennedy (Cillian Murphy)

Martin is a London architect struggling to reconnect with his wife following a traumatic event. His character portrayal evolves from a passive participant to a desperate survivor, challenged by both physical and emotional hardships. As the plot thickens, he must confront both external threats and his inner demons.

💼 Architect 💔 Grief ⚠️ Survivor

Kate (Thandie Newton)

Kate is a frustrated journalist grappling with her own loss and the impact it has on her marriage. Her character embodies resilience as she faces a series of harrowing events. As the tension escalates, Kate is pushed to extreme measures, showcasing the depths of her desperation.

📰 Journalist 💔 Loss ⚔️ Resilience

Private Jack Coleman (Jamie Bell)

Jack is a soldier who arrives with a chilling message about a deadly virus. His character flits between being a possible ally and a significant threat, creating an atmosphere of distrust. As the plot unfolds, his erratic behavior and dark backstory reveal a deeply troubled man.

⚔️ Soldier 🦠 Carrier 🧠 Unstable

Setting

Learn where and when Retreat (2011) takes place. Explore the film’s settings, era, and how they shape the narrative.

Time period

The movie is set in a contemporary time frame where modern technology coexists with dire circumstances. It portrays the aftermath of a global epidemic, emphasizing societal breakdown and the struggle for survival. The psychological turmoil faced by the characters reflects modern anxieties.

Location

Blackholme Island, Fairweather Cottage

Blackholme Island is a desolate island located off the west coast of Scotland. Known for its isolation and natural beauty, it is accessible only by ferry. Fairweather Cottage, the only lodging on the island, offers a seasonal retreat but becomes the setting for harrowing events as the couple seeks solace.

🏝️ Island 🏡 Cottage 🇬🇧 Scotland

Themes

Discover the main themes in Retreat (2011). Analyze the deeper meanings, emotional layers, and social commentary behind the film.

💔

Loss

The theme of loss permeates the film, particularly the emotional aftermath of Martin and Kate's traumatic miscarriage. This loss is compounded by the deadly outbreak and the ultimate fate of the characters. The film explores how loss can lead to desperation and drastic choices in the face of adversity.

🔒

Isolation

Isolation is a central theme as the couple retreats to the remote island, only to find themselves trapped in a nightmare. The physical confinement mirrors their emotional isolation, heightening the tension. The island's desolation emphasizes the severing of human connections during dire crises.

⚔️

Survival

Survival becomes a grim focal point as the characters are forced to fend for themselves against both the disease and a potential threat in Jack. The decisions they make in the face of danger test their moral boundaries. The film challenges viewers to consider what they would do to survive.

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