Couples Retreat Murder (2024) is a tense mystery-thriller directed by Amy Barrett, blending relationship drama with the chilling atmosphere of a murder mystery. The story follows a group of couples who travel to a secluded retreat, hoping to repair their relationships, only to find themselves caught in a web of lies, jealousy, and deadly secrets.

At the center of the film are Becky and Jim, a married couple whose relationship has been slowly falling apart. In a last attempt to rekindle their love, they sign up for a week-long therapy retreat set in a remote desert lodge. What was meant to be a healing journey soon becomes a nightmare. The retreat promises renewal, honesty, and reconnection — but as the couples begin to open up, long-buried tensions rise to the surface.

Things take a darker turn when Alan Brant, Becky’s ex-boyfriend from college, unexpectedly shows up as another participant. His sudden presence stirs old emotions and unresolved feelings, creating friction between Becky and Jim. Jim’s jealousy and insecurity grow, while Becky becomes torn between her past and present, struggling to stay true to herself amid the growing chaos.

When one of the guests suddenly goes missing, the sense of unease deepens. Soon after, the host of the retreat is found dead under suspicious circumstances. Panic spreads among the attendees as they realize they are trapped in an isolated location with no easy way to contact help. What began as an emotional getaway turns into a desperate fight for survival.

As the group starts to turn on one another, trust collapses. Every couple hides something — infidelities, grudges, lies. The lines between therapy and interrogation blur as each revelation exposes another motive for murder. Becky becomes both a suspect and a potential target, caught in the crossfire of suspicion and fear.

The film thrives on psychological tension rather than graphic violence. Each confrontation builds suspense, forcing the characters to face their guilt, insecurities, and the consequences of deceit. The stunning yet desolate backdrop — filmed in a remote desert landscape — mirrors the emotional barrenness of the characters’ lives. The isolation amplifies the sense of dread; even the open skies feel suffocating, as if nowhere is truly safe.

Throughout the story, themes of trust, jealousy, and redemption dominate. Becky and Jim’s relationship, once a source of stability, becomes a battlefield of accusations and regrets. The presence of Alan reignites unresolved passion but also reminds Becky of who she used to be — and how far she has drifted from that person. The murder mystery becomes not just a question of who killed the host, but what each character is capable of when pushed to their emotional limits.

The pacing is steady and deliberate, weaving emotional drama with classic whodunit intrigue. Clues are scattered carefully, leading to moments of misdirection and shock. By the time the truth is revealed, every character’s mask has been stripped away, exposing the fragile line between love and hatred, confession and manipulation.

In the end, Couples Retreat Murder is both a psychological thriller and a dark reflection on relationships. It shows how easily love can twist into resentment, how secrets can rot even the most intimate bonds, and how sometimes the most dangerous people are not strangers — but the ones we once trusted the most.