On a gray, rainy Sunday, Clif, Dee, and I headed south to Portland, the Babylon of Maine, and our biggest city (population: around 68,000). Dee was keen on seeing the movie Exit 8, and as far as we could tell, none of the cinemas in our area would be showing it. Fifty miles one way is a bit of a drive for a movie, but because of the weather, we couldn’t work outside, and our electric vehicle, Bolty, gives us a guilt-free drive. So it seemed like a good day to head south. And as Dee noted, any day is a good day to go to the movies.
We made it to Portland in good time, and the Parking gods were on our side—there was an empty spot across from the Nicholodeon Cinema, affectionately referred to as “The Nick.” This empty spot really was a gift from the gods, as the parking garage, for some unknown reason, was closed, and there was a big event nearby.
So was it worth driving that far to see Exit 8? It certainly was. Exit 8, directed by Genki Kawamura, was so good that I’ve already put it on my list of best movies for 2026. Billed as a “mystery, psychological, horror film,” Exit 8 is actually light on horror and strong on psychological and mystery. Readers who are squeamish about horror films can go to this movie without fear. Exit 8 is also a surreal film, but it is primarily the psychological journey of Lost Man as he grapples with issues that are holding him back. Think Groundhog Day melded with The Twilight Zone with a dash of Waiting for Godot. Despite these twists, the movie manages to be warm and humane as we follow Lost Man on his journey.
I don’t want to give too much of the plot away, as the delight of this film lies in following Lost Man. Simply put, after receiving an important call from a former girlfriend, Lost Man, on his way to work, gets off the subway and finds himself in a series of white-tiled corridors that lead to Exit 8, his way out. Except Lost Man can’t leave and keeps looping around the bright yet bland corridors. Finally, Lost Man notices a sign with instructions, the most important of which is to turn around whenever he encounters an anomaly. If he doesn’t, Lost Man is back to zero. Literally.
Lost Man makes progress and has setbacks, and I was rooting for him the whole time. The film is moving but never cheesy, a real gem that cost about $1 million to make, which is peanuts nowadays.
Note: The trailer emphasizes the film’s horror elements rather than the humane quest of Lost Man.
After the movie, what to do? Why to Maine Beer Company in Freeport for
and
and finally
As my Yankee husband would say, a pretty darned good day.
Notes From the Hinterland 
Wicked!
If ever you come as far north as Freeport, consider stopping at Maine Beer Company for a meal.
I will do. We sometimes make the trek. Once in a while we stay in Portland for the oysters!
Appetizing.
Delicious!
Now that is a good way to spend a rainy day!
It really was delightful especially as we hadn’t been to Portland for a while. A very easy little city to get around in.
It sounds like a finest of days for you all Laurie! ❤️ xxx
A finest rainy kind of day!
I watched the trailer and I am such a wimp I’d have nightmares! The food looks delish especially the dessert.
I am glad that you enjoyed the film after your drive, but the most impressive thing in your post is that array of solar panels.
Yes, very impressive! Love supporting a restaurant that is commented to alternative energy.
It sounds like a great way to spend a rainy day. The movie sounds really intriguing and the food looks great!
A very good way to spend a rainy day. The movie was fantastic. Highly recommend it as long as you don’t mind psychological tension. And the food was excellent, too.
❤
The Maine Beer Company is right up my alley. I’d love that place.
There’s a lot to love about it.
My first thought was that Exit 8 might be the name of a restaurant located at the 8th Exit on some freeway or other. Not so much! I’m glad you enjoyed the film, although my preference would have been for that pizza. Of the offerings you showed, it looks the best!
That would be a good name for a restaurant. That pizza was pretty darned good. The cannolis weren’t too bad either. Ditto for the pretzel. 😉
I would have to ask you if you liked the Oscar winner, “Parasite”? If this movie is like that, no thank you. It looks like the stuff of nightmares.
Yes, I did like Parasite. No, Exit 8 is not at all like Parasite. The trailer makes Exit 8 look much creepier than it is, and the rating is PG-13. But if you are easily creeped out, it might be best to give Exit 8 a pass.
You and your family know how to make the best of an outing, even on a miserable day 🙂 🙂
We had a lot of fun, and seeing a really good movie is always uplifting.
Yes. Pretty darned good
Sure was!
Looks like a good day (though I might give that movie a miss!). The pretzel looks great.
If psychological tension isn’t your thing, then it probably would be wise to give the movie a miss. However, along with the tension, there is warmth and compassion. Unfortunately, the trailer does not show this. Probably is beyond the scope of a trailer.
I’d drive that far just for that delicious looking food!
Worth a trip, that’s for sure!
Fun day! Thanks for the movie recommendation. I’m going to put it on my list.
Let me know what you think if you see it.
Glad to hear you were very impressed with Exit 8. I’ve probably mentioned this before, but remember this being a hot ticket at last year’s LFF, so it’s reassuring to know that it lives up to the hype. I also prefer psychologically unsettling films to full-on horror, so that’s another point in its favour. Thanks for the tip, Laurie!
My pleasure! And the director has managed to give a psychologically unsettling film a warmth and humaneness that is normally not found in such films. If you see it, do let me know what you think.
I enjoyed reading your description of Exit 8. I especially liked the line, ” Think Groundhog Day melded with The Twilight Zone with a dash of Waiting for Godot.” I can’t quite picture how these all mush together, but what’s not to like?
Tee-hee! Plus, Lost Man’s journey is extremely moving, which the trailer does not show and probably couldn’t. Anyway, if psychological tension along with a dose of creepiness doesn’t bother you, then Exit 8 is definitely worth watching.
Sounds like a fun day, though I don’t think I could watch the movie. Even if it was light horror. I don’t do well with psychological tension either. Guess I don’t do tension of any type well. : )
Exit 8 is creepy rather than horror-filled, but if psychological tension isn’t your thing, then it would probably be best to give Exit 8 a pass. My only other comment is that the trailer, unfortunately, doesn’t give a sense of how warm and moving Exit 8 is. Not sure how it could as this builds with the Lost Man’s journey.
Thanks for that trailer. The movie sounds intriguing. The food looks pretty special, too!