Name: The Weekend Away
Genre: Thriller, Mystery
Released: 2022-03-03T00:00:00+00:00
Cast: Leighton Meester, Christina Wolfe, Ziad Bakri, Luke Norris, Amar Bukvić

The opening shot of The Weekend Away is a sun-drenched Croatian coastline, the camera lingering on Beth (Leighton Meester) gazing out at the water—a moment of fleeting serenity before the storm. Kim Farrant’s thriller, adapted from Sarah Alderson’s novel, promises a tense mystery but delivers a frustratingly meandering experience.

On paper, the premise is compelling: Beth, a new mother grappling with postpartum struggles and a faltering marriage, travels to Croatia for a girls’ trip with her best friend Kate (Christina Wolfe). When Kate vanishes, Beth must unravel a web of deceit to find her. The film’s strength lies in its atmospheric setting—Croatia’s stunning landscapes provide a vivid backdrop—and Meester’s committed performance. She anchors the film with a palpable sense of desperation and determination, even when the plot stumbles.

The mystery itself is the film’s Achilles’ heel. The Weekend Away suffers from an over-reliance on convoluted twists that feel more contrived than clever. The pacing drags as Beth follows one dead-end clue after another, and the film’s attempts at suspense often fall flat. A particularly glaring misstep is the introduction of Zain (Ziad Bakri), a taxi driver who becomes Beth’s unlikely ally. His character is underdeveloped, and his sudden turn from suspect to savior lacks credibility.

Where the film excels is in its exploration of Beth’s emotional turmoil. Meester’s portrayal of a woman on the verge of unraveling is the film’s most compelling element. Her scenes with Luke Norris as Rob, her husband, are charged with tension, particularly when she confronts him about his affair with Kate. The reveal that Rob is the true villain is a satisfying payoff, even if it comes too late to salvage the film’s sagging momentum.

Farrant’s direction is competent but unremarkable. The film’s visual style is serviceable, but there are few standout moments. The soundtrack, however, deserves mention for its effective use of tension-building scores that heighten the film’s suspenseful scenes.

Ultimately, The Weekend Away is a missed opportunity. It has the makings of a gripping thriller—a strong lead performance, a intriguing setting, and a promising premise—but stumbles in execution.