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Entertainment • Film

Escape Room

Escape Room is a 2019 American psychological horror survival film directed by Adam Robitel.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Escape Room is a 2019 American psychological horror survival film directed by Adam Robitel. It follows six strangers who are drawn into a series of deadly escape rooms and must solve puzzles to survive. The film was released by Columbia Pictures in the United States on January 4, 2019, and later received a sequel in 2021.

Plot

The story follows six strangers invited to participate in an escape-room experience for a chance to win money, only to discover that the rooms are deadly traps. They must work together to survive increasingly dangerous challenges.

Production and release

Escape Room was directed by Adam Robitel from a screenplay by Bragi F. Schut and Maria Melnik. It premiered in U.S. cinemas on January 4, 2019, under Columbia Pictures.

Reception

The film was a commercial success, earning more than US$155 million worldwide. Critics gave it mixed reviews, often praising its atmosphere, cast, and production design while criticising its familiar plot.

Sequel

The film was followed by Escape Room: Tournament of Champions in 2021. The sequel continued the franchise built around the deadly game premise.

Key facts

  • The film was based on a story conceived by Bragi F. Schut.
  • Its premise centres on strangers trapped in lethal puzzle rooms.
  • Columbia Pictures released the film in the United States through Sony Pictures Releasing.
  • The film received mixed reviews from critics.
  • A sequel, Escape Room: Tournament of Champions, was released in 2021.
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Canadian context

Canadian readers may know the film through its wide international release and home-entertainment availability, but it is an American production with no specifically Canadian setting or production connection in the provided sources.

Frequently asked questions

What is Escape Room about?
It is about six strangers forced to solve deadly escape-room puzzles in order to survive.
Who directed Escape Room?
Adam Robitel directed the film.
When was Escape Room released?
It was released in the United States on January 4, 2019.
How much did Escape Room earn?
It grossed over US$155 million worldwide.
Was there a sequel?
Yes. Escape Room: Tournament of Champions was released in 2021.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Escape_Room_(2019_film)
    Supports: Director, writers, cast, release date, synopsis, worldwide gross, and sequel information.
  2. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/escape_room_2019
    Supports: Genre, rating, release date, synopsis, and runtime.
  3. Common Sense Media — https://www.commonsensemedia.org/movie-reviews/escape-room
    Supports: Plot description, release date, runtime, and MPAA rating.