Thriller Island: Play for Retains is the third installment of the Hallmark Channel’s Thriller Island movie collection, revolving round a murder-mystery-themed resort the place precise shock whodunits happen throughout their pre-planned video games. Following the first film launched in 2023 and the second (Mystery Island: Winner Takes All) in March 2025, Play for Retains welcomes again Elizabeth Henstridge, Charlie Weber, and Kezia Burrows because the Thriller Island recreation planners and organizers who’re compelled to do some sleuthing of their very own after a tough V.I.P. consumer finally ends up lifeless, making everybody a possible suspect. Does this title proceed to construct on the first film’s success, or has this third installment killed the collection’ momentum? Hold studying to seek out out!
The Gist: There’s a brand new high-stakes whodunnit recreation to play on Thriller Island, and this one includes some severe baggage! Thriller Island COO Baroness Jane Alcott (Kezia Burrows) breaks the information to her psychiatrist pal and worker, Dr. Emilia Priestly (Elizabeth Henstridge), that their upcoming consumer is a V.I.P. get together led by prosperous married couple Ainsley (Emily Eaton-Plowright) and Franklin Trask (Kris Mochrie). The awkward half, nonetheless, is that Franklin is Emilia’s ex-fiancé, and as a lot as she desires to flee this example, Ainsley has particularly requested that Emilia be current throughout her get together’s keep. Emilia’s coworker and fellow recreation author, Detective Jason Trent (Charlie Weber), says that Ainsley is probably going insecure and needs to ensure Franklin isn’t nonetheless carrying a torch for Emilia. Feels like a really enjoyable particular person for Emilia to be caught on an island with!
Sadly for Emilia, she isn’t precisely ready to show this down because of the high-profile nature of the Trask get together. Franklin runs the prosperous hedge fund, Trask International Administration, whereas his spouse of 1 yr, Ainsley, is a powerhouse company lawyer who sits on the board of Trask International. Rounding out the V.I.P. group are Franklin’s right-hand-woman and Trask International COO, Viveca Bentley (Victoria Bolt), former NFL tight-end and ex-Trask International VP, Spencer Trask (John MacDonald), Spencer’s “mannequin girlfriend” (who’s later referred to as his spouse?), Patricia Collacello (Nisha Aaliya), and Ainsley’s childhood bestie and highschool sweetheart turned frienzoned reconnection, schoolteacher Mickey Carlyle (Barney White). Jane and Jason shall be sneaking into the get together as nicely to play disguised characters as a part of their deliberate homicide thriller recreation.
Tensions instantly flare upon the Trask get together’s arrival. Upon hitting the island, Ainsley is abrasive and confrontational in direction of Emilia, whereas Franklin is a bit too pleasant. Ainsley finally ends up single-handedly cracking the thriller in only a day, a verdict reached so record-breakingly quick that Emilia instantly suspects her of dishonest. Franklin will get Emilia alone and confesses that he’s nonetheless in love along with her, which Ainsley overhears earlier than angrily demanding a divorce.
The subsequent day, Ainsley and one among her baggage are lacking, just for Ainsley to be discovered lifeless with a severed carotid artery and an “S” written in blood close to her physique. Her lacking bag is later discovered (with bundles of money inside) within the room of Thriller Island worker Simons (Ben McKeown), making him a possible suspect. Because the case unfolds, a number of extra persons are deemed suspicious, together with even Emilia herself, because of her previous connection to Franklin, launching a winding case that throws our ace homicide mystery-planning crew for a loop. Love and cash intertwine as main motives for the crime, and thru all of it, Emilia tries to kind by way of her personal previous, sophisticated emotions in direction of Franklin and budding new ones for Jason. There actually is rarely a uninteresting day on Thriller Island!
What Films Will It Remind You Of?: Thriller Island: Play for Retains is form of like should you mixed Rian Johnson’s 2022 satirical whodunnit film Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery with the hit anthology darkish dramedy collection The White Lotus after which subtracted many of the two titles’ originality, self-awareness, and wit.
Efficiency Value Watching: Kezia Burrows stands out as Baroness Jane Alcott. She injects sufficient earnestness and whimsy so as to add the enjoyable and character that this film may actually use extra of throughout the board from all of its characters.
Memorable Dialogue: After Ainsley’s dying, her journey companions have loads to say, and never all of it’s flattering… For instance:
Mickey (Ainsley’s literal finest pal): “Ains was the president of the theater membership in highschool. She’s a drama queen.”
Patricia: “I imply, Ainsley was completely good, however she was a horrible particular person.”
Spencer: “I imply, look, I don’t wish to communicate unwell in regards to the lifeless, okay? However she was a controlling monster.”
It’s nearly sufficient to make you’re feeling unhealthy for her. Virtually.
Intercourse and Pores and skin: None.
Our Take: I do know that Thriller Island: Play for Retains is a part of a franchise, so some individuals who loved the earlier two titles may already be predisposed to feeling keen on this one. However as somebody who hasn’t seen the opposite movies and is simply viewing this as a standalone, I’ve to say that Play for Retains doesn’t appeal me or hit in the best way that it would for a returning Thriller Island fan. This film doesn’t take a lot time to get viewers acquainted with and connected to the characters, maybe as a result of there’s the idea that many will already know and like primary gamers like Emilia, Jason, and Jane from the prior movies. As an alternative, it simply launches in, and the result’s some confusion and disconnection.
Even with the brand new characters within the Trask get together, it’s arduous to care a lot about them or really feel invested of their tales. All of them come throughout as pretty two-dimensional, and like they barely exist exterior of the story that’s being advised right here and now. I really feel like a superb thriller depends on having fascinating characters who hold the story contemporary and colourful, however with these principally half-baked characters and their considerably uninspiring performances, the entire world and story find yourself feeling a bit uninteresting and boring. I imply, if this film actually cared about its characters and story, then you definately wouldn’t have Patricia referred to first as Spencer’s girlfriend after which later as his spouse later within the film. That simply feels a bit like lazy writing.
In consequence, it was arduous to care a lot about Emilia or Jason as people all through the movie, because of their less-than-fleshed-out nature. This additionally makes it arduous to really feel enthusiastic about or invested of their budding romance, which felt extra compelled because of plot comfort than a pure results of chemistry. With out vibrant characters to tug viewers in and get them hooked (Ainsley was in all probability essentially the most participating, and so they shortly killed her off, so…), the film closely depends on the thriller plotline to hold the movie’s weight. Sadly, even with out spoiling something, the tip end result was fairly predictable, and whereas that’s not a cardinal sin in and of itself, it’s undoubtedly neither unique nor entertaining sufficient to stake your complete film on.
Our Name: Thriller Island: Play for Retains isn’t horrible, however it isn’t that good both. It’s simply someplace within the center, not managing to be particularly affecting both approach. Maybe some returning Thriller Island followers will take pleasure in this out of loyalty, however should you’re on the lookout for a strong thriller or romance film, this title could also be too boring and forgettable to suit the invoice. SKIP IT.
