Retreat to You
Not yet rated20231h 24mWeirdness 2/10
Where to watch
United States17 ways
Canada10 ways
United Kingdom1 way
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The premise
Abby and Sean used to be best friends. Years later, they meet again at a retreat, and when they get separated from the group while hiking, they must work together to find their way back.
How unusual is it?
Mostly classic comfort-watch, give or take a second-chance romance.
Who’s in it
Alongside them
Behind the camera
ShowHide
Directed by
Wait, what?
The quirks and curveballs that make this one a little weirder than your average Hallmark. No spoilers, promise.
- Goat yoga session where the goats are described as having 'Keanu vibes'
- A search party rescue based entirely on a trail of dropped fruit snacks
- Randy's campfire stories about werewolves and ghosts of railway tycoons haunting Jeff Bezos
- The 'Triple Chocolate Meltdown' as a recurring emotional touchstone
- The protagonist killing a fish with her bare hands while the male lead watches in horror
Every trope, all in one place
Here’s everything this one has going on, from the setting to the way it wraps up. Tap any of the 26 to find more movies that do the same thing.
Setting2
Time & season2
Romance6
How it ends1
How it all plays out
Already seen it, or just can’t wait? Open this up for the whole story, ending included.
Full story (spoilers)
The film begins with a flashback to high school, where Abby and Sean are inseparable best friends. After Abby's breakup with a boyfriend named Dylan, they plan a cross-country trip starting in Portland, but Sean never shows up at the bus stop, leaving Abby to travel alone and harboring 17 years of resentment. In the present, Abby is a high-strung public defender in L.A. Her friend Rachel convinces her to visit Azur Ridge Wellness Retreat, an eccentric 'adult summer camp' run by the overly enthusiastic Randy. Upon arrival, Abby is horrified to find Sean is also a guest. The tension is immediate, but they are forced into proximity through retreat activities like horseback riding—where Sean reveals he is now a veterinarian—and a high-ropes course where Abby has to rescue a terrified, height-phobic Sean. During a 'sunset hike' that isn't part of the official curriculum, the two get lost in the wilderness. They spend two nights surviving in the woods, during which Abby kills a fish for food (horrifying the vegetarian Sean) and Sean reveals the truth: he didn't show up at the bus stop because he saw Abby kissing her ex-boyfriend Dylan and believed his secret love for her was unrequited. He also shares that his mother recently passed away, which prompted his trip to the retreat. Meanwhile, Rachel forms an 'unofficial' search party with the retreat's chef, Mason, and a bickering older couple, Barb and Bart. They successfully track the duo using a trail of fruit snacks Abby dropped. Once rescued, Abby's defensive 'realist' nature kicks in, and she tells Sean that a relationship is illogical due to the distance between Hayward and L.A. Sean leaves the retreat early, heartbroken again. Rachel confronts Abby about her emotional walls, leading Abby to participate in a 'talking circle' where she finally expresses her true feelings. Sean returns for the final night's dance, revealing he is willing to move his veterinary practice to L.A. to be with her. The film ends with the two dancing and finally moving past their teenage heartbreak.
Beat by beat
Opening
Abby and Rachel arrive at Azur Ridge Wellness Retreat, where Abby discovers her estranged high school best friend Sean is also attending.
Inciting Incident
During a high-ropes course activity, Abby has to climb up to rescue Sean, who is paralyzed by his fear of heights, forcing a break in their cold war.
Midpoint
Abby and Sean go on an unauthorized sunset hike, lose the trail, and are forced to spend the night in the wilderness together.
Climax
While lost, Sean reveals he stood Abby up 17 years ago because he was in love with her and saw her kissing another boy; they are eventually rescued by Rachel's search party.
Falling Action
Abby pushes Sean away using logic and distance as an excuse, causing him to leave the retreat early.
Resolution
After a heart-to-heart with Rachel and a vulnerability breakthrough in a talking circle, Abby reunites with Sean at the final dance where he commits to moving to her city.
26 tropes in one movie
We counted 26 distinct Hallmark tropes packed into this one — a genuine greatest-hits reel.
Where this one fits
The corners of the catalog Retreat to You belongs to — handy if you’re after more of the same.
Lines worth quoting
The lines that stuck with us — the ones you’ll be repeating after the credits roll.
“I'm not a cynic, I'm a realist.”
— AbbyDefending her negative outlook to Rachel at the start of the trip. “You're like a really sarcastic piñata.”
— SeanWhen Abby reveals she has hidden candy all over her person while they are lost in the woods. “I just want to meet the fish with my hand... and then my stomach.”
— AbbyWhile trying to catch dinner in the stream. “Nature is the best medicine.”
— SeanQuoting his late mother while lost in the woods.
Meet the characters
Who’s who before you press play. Nothing here gives the ending away.
Abby
LeadPublic Defender
CynicalIndependentDefensiveLoyalSean
Love interestVeterinarian
Former high school best friend
KindSensitiveAnimal-loverFearful of heightsRachel
SupportingCurrent best friend
OptimisticSchemingSupportiveRandy
SupportingRetreat Owner
Host
EccentricIntenseNew-ageMason
SupportingChef
Retreat staff / Rachel's love interest
AttractiveCapableBoy Scout skills
Questions people ask about Retreat to You
Where can I watch Retreat to You?
Retreat to You is available via fuboTV, YouTube TV, and Philo. Streaming options change often, so check current availability before settling in.
How long is Retreat to You?
Retreat to You runs about 1 hour and 24 minutes, and was released in 2023.
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