'Final Recovery' Review: Addicts, Secrets, and a Rehab You’ll Want to Escape
- Romey Norton
- May 6
- 2 min read
By Romey Norton - May 6, 2025
If you’ve ever imagined a serene rehab facility in the woods as a place of peace and self-discovery, Final Recovery is here to tell you: think again. This indie thriller, directed by Harley Wallen, serves up a dark and twisted take on healing, where no one seems quite as they appear, and recovery comes with a cost you might not survive.
The story centres around Rodney (Jasper Cole), a man with demons to face and no more places to run. He checks into the secluded Sage Treatment Centre, hoping for a second chance, but quickly learns that this remote rehab centre isn’t just about detox and group therapy. It’s about control. Secrets. And power plays. And maybe something far more sinister. While Rodney struggles to stay clean, a darker truth begins to surface. The further he digs, the more he realises that the place meant to save him might break him instead.
Final Recovery opens in black and white, with only a hint of red on a little girl's bow. A simple and well known way to represent the past, and hint to the plot. We’re thrown into the present day, where we meet Rodney. Cole does a great job portraying a man questioning his life choices and future - he helps create the sense of creeping paranoia throughout.
The highlight performance is by Charlene Tilton, who plays Louise “Nanny Lou” Stamey, the facility’s matron with a grandmotherly smile and a terrifying grip on the place. Tilton delivers a charming and chilling performance. It’s a surprising role that flips her iconic, glamorous persona on its head and proves she’s still got serious screen presence. Richard Tyson adds his usual intensity to the mix, rounding out a cast that balances indie grit with polished edge. Some of the other supporting characters aren’t as strong performers, but are committed to their roles and help drive the story along.
Final Recovery doesn’t rely on big effects or flashy action. Instead, it leans into its setting, filled with claustrophobic rooms and long hallways. However, these static shots and the slow pace of the film might cause viewers to disengage. There are times where I wanted a little more action and drama. Sometimes the sound is shoddy and the shots aren’t clean, but we can forgive things like this in indie films.
With an ending that’s slightly predictable but still entertaining, the film serves as a reminder that not all villains wear capes. Sometimes, they wear name tags and offer you herbal tea.
If you're into indie thrillers with cult vibes, shady characters, and a healthy dose of mystery, Final Recovery delivers. Think of it as a B-movie with bite—a thriller that knows what it’s doing and leans into its offbeat energy– you’ll enjoy watching.
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