Restraint (2007)

43% of users liked it
(1,544 ratings)

A pair of desperate fugitives takes a hostage whose dark past gives him a distinct advantage over his captors in this twisting thriller starring former television Tarzan Travis Fimmel. Dale and Ron foolishly thought that by taking a hostage they could increase their chances of survival, but when… More A pair of desperate fugitives takes a hostage whose dark past gives him a distinct advantage over his captors in this twisting thriller starring former television Tarzan Travis Fimmel. Dale and Ron foolishly thought that by taking a hostage they could increase their chances of survival, but when would-be pawn Andrew takes an unexpected liking to the criminal couple, it doesn't take long for them to realize that they may have just made a fatal mistake. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 32 min.
Directed By: David Denneen
Genres: Mystery & Suspense, Drama

On DVD: Aug 19, 2008

Critic Reviews

Kate Gordon, FILMINK (Australia)
An edgy, ambitious nail-biter that keeps you poised to slip off the couch the whole way through.
Urban Cinefile Critics, Urban Cinefile
Dave Warner's taut and terrific screenplay gives director David Denneen plenty to work with in this classy, beautifully photographed thriller.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Luke B

Like many I expected just a cheap little thriller. Instead I got a very in depth character study. Each of the three protagonists are fleshed out and sometimes in subtle ways. Two lovers on the run take a man hostage in his home. The man is agoraphobic and his fiance is mysteriously… More
Like many I expected just a cheap little thriller. Instead I got a very in depth character study. Each of the three protagonists are fleshed out and sometimes in subtle ways. Two lovers on the run take a man hostage in his home. The man is agoraphobic and his fiance is mysteriously absent. As the two lovers hide out, tension begins to grow as the girl feels for the hostage. It soon becomes clear that she has been dragged along in this road trip of destruction as a way to escape her life as a stripper. It doesn't help that her boyfriend has some serious psychological and rage issues. He begins getting paranoid and this paranoia drives away his girl. Soon she is needed to dress up as the hostage's fiance in order to claim his trust fund. This shows her a glimpse of the life she dreams of. I loved the way the characters gradually switched roles, each one at some point is a victim. The tension mounts and the film becomes somewhat chilling. The real horror lies with not only the characters' actions, but their mental states and how they manipulate others, whether through anger, pity, or lust. A terrific movie that grabbed me and exceeded my expectations at every turn.
Cynthia S

Definitely did not take the turn I thought it would. I thought this was a really good movie, kept you guessing, and was entertaining. Definitely an easy watch. I personally didn't think the ending was confusing at all. I thought that it took a fantastic, and unexpected turn. A… More
Definitely did not take the turn I thought it would. I thought this was a really good movie, kept you guessing, and was entertaining. Definitely an easy watch. I personally didn't think the ending was confusing at all. I thought that it took a fantastic, and unexpected turn. A twisted little film.
Josh L

Despite the fact that I really only watched this because Teresa Palmer was in it (gorgeous) it was a surprisingly effective thriller thanks to good performances and a tense screenplay. Nothing is ever clear cut and plenty of times I was left questioning the motives of the characters.… More
Despite the fact that I really only watched this because Teresa Palmer was in it (gorgeous) it was a surprisingly effective thriller thanks to good performances and a tense screenplay. Nothing is ever clear cut and plenty of times I was left questioning the motives of the characters. That makes for an entertaining 90 minutes of suspense and mayhem. It's a movie most people probably have not heard of, but if you get the chance check it out.
Lewis C

Restraint is a thriller done right. Its plot seems simple, with a young couple on the run from the police invading a man's home and holding him hostage. But there are many wrinkles that constantly redefine the roles of the characters and keep the story interesting. All the… More
Restraint is a thriller done right. Its plot seems simple, with a young couple on the run from the police invading a man's home and holding him hostage. But there are many wrinkles that constantly redefine the roles of the characters and keep the story interesting. All the actors do a nice job with their roles. Teresa Palmer is beautiful and brings a note of vulnerability to the movie. Stephen Moyer's character is the most dynamic, as he makes Andrew's agoraphobia believable. Nate Jones provides most of the movie's excitement, but at times his character is a bit over the top. Restraint is the best thriller that I've seen since Awake. It's a perfect example of how to keep the audience engaged with twists and turns without making the movie seem unbelievable.
Jacob P

An excellent\interesting suspesnse flick. Up there with "Funny Games" and "Open House."
Christopher H

For what appeared to be a "throw-away-thriller", Restraint is bold and unique. The cast is small, but quality over quantity prevails. Teresa Palmer is absolutely gorgeous and straddles the perfect line between ignorant hussy and obedient lover. The acting could have easily… More
For what appeared to be a "throw-away-thriller", Restraint is bold and unique. The cast is small, but quality over quantity prevails. Teresa Palmer is absolutely gorgeous and straddles the perfect line between ignorant hussy and obedient lover. The acting could have easily ruined this film, especially with the potential for generic criminals. However Travis Fimmel constantly sells his role. The ability of the director to keep the viewer guessing sets this film apart. So many eerie moments occur that there is always a sense of anything goes until the very last frame of the film. I am completely taken aback by how great this film, despite the very low expectations I had placed upon it.
Leo L

Quite interesting! Good movie.