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Review: Escape and Evasion (2019)
Genre: War Drama / Thriller
Escape and Evasion, directed by Storm Ashwood, is a haunting Australian war drama that delves into the psychological scars of combat and the heavy burden of survival. At its core, it is less about the physical battlefield and more about the internal war that follows a soldier home—making it a gripping character study wrapped in the guise of a thriller.
The story follows Seth (played with raw intensity by Josh McConville), the lone survivor of a failed mission in Myanmar. Plagued by guilt, PTSD, and secrets that threaten to unravel him, Seth is a man barely holding on. He returns to civilian life in Australia, but peace is elusive. His nights are consumed by nightmarish flashbacks, and his days are filled with evasive behavior, alcoholism, and self-destruction.
Things shift when Rebecca (Bonnie Sveen), the sister of one of his fallen comrades, confronts him. She’s searching for answers—desperate to know what really happened to her brother. Seth, torn between loyalty to the military and the crushing need to confess, is forced to face what happened in the jungle and the role he played in a mission gone horribly wrong.
The film blends gritty realism with emotional introspection, capturing not just the brutality of war but its aftermath. Ashwood uses haunting visuals and disorienting editing to place viewers inside Seth’s fractured mind, giving a visceral sense of his trauma. The war sequences, shot in the dense tropical setting, are claustrophobic and brutal, but the film shines most in the quiet, painful moments of human connection and vulnerability.
Josh McConville delivers a standout performance, portraying Seth with an aching authenticity. His portrayal of a broken soldier who cannot forgive himself is deeply affecting. Bonnie Sveen also impresses, grounding the story in compassion and resolve.
Escape and Evasion isn’t an action-heavy war movie—it’s a sobering look at the personal cost of warfare and the moral ambiguity soldiers often face. It asks hard questions: What is a hero? Can redemption ever come after such loss?
If you’re looking for a war film that lingers long after the credits roll—not with explosions, but with emotional depth—Escape and Evasion is worth your time.
What did you think of Seth’s journey through guilt and truth? Let us know in the comments below.
