Is the movie No Escape based on a true story?

Eight years after its initial release, No Escape, starring Owen Wilson and many other famous faces, regained popularity on Netflix, apparently following a fan’s recommendation of the movie on social media. The 2015 action thriller directed by John Erick Dowdle and produced by Drew Dowdle, Michael Litvak and David Lancaster was recently named the “most intense movie ever” by Netflix viewers, and we definitely understand why.

With its high stakes and extreme thrills throughout, No Escape — which follows the intense story of Jack Dwyer (Owen Wilson) and his family’s attempt to seek refuge at the American Embassy following a political uprising that led an army of armed rebels to attack their place of residence, and execute all foreigners — is bound to keep you glued to your seat.

The official logline, as per IMDb, reads:

"“In their new overseas house, an American family soon finds themselves caught in the middle of a coup, and they frantically look for a safe escape from an environment where foreigners are being immediately executed.”"

But is there some truth to the movie? Is No Escape based on actual events? Find out all the essential details below.

Is the movie No Escape based on a true story?

As mentioned the action thriller is pretty intense, but viewers can take comfort in knowing that the events that play out on screen following U.S. businessman, Jack Dwyer, and his family, are fictional, or “loosely based on real incidents,” according to Republic World. 

The writers of the film — brothers John and Eric Dowdle -– once told Creative Screenwriting that their script was partially inspired by their trip to Thailand in 2006 when a coup was taking place.

No Escape cast list

If you wanted a full breakdown as to who stars in the movie, we have the full cast list, provided by IMDb, below.

• Lake Bell
• Pierce Brosnan
• Owen Wilson
• Thanawut Ketsaro
• Sterling Jerins
• Claire Geare
• Chatchawan Kamonsakpitak
• Sahajak Boonthanakit
• Tanapol Chuksrida
• Nophand Boonyai
• Kanarpat Phintiang
• Jon Goldney
• Duang Maidork
• Suphornnaphat Jenselius
• Barthélemy Son
• Mikayla Friend
• Stacy Chbosky
• Byron Gibson