Naman Shrestha
Directed by Brian Herzlinger, Lifetime’s ‘Deadly Yoga Retreat’ is a thriller movie that revolves around Isabella, whose complex marriage with her husband, Patrick, shows signs of frailties. When she receives an invitation to participate in an exclusive yoga retreat organized by a famous guru named Remy Morrow, Patrick convinces her to go and find herself. However, upon arriving in the supposed paradise, she realizes that neither the retreat nor Remy are how they seem to be.
As Remy kills the retreat guests one by one, Isabella must take each step cautiously to come out of the retreat alive. Finally, when he sets his preying eyes on her, paradise becomes a living hell for her. Just like Remy deceives his retreat guests with his charm, the beautiful landscape that the yoga retreat is set in deceives the viewers. Moreover, we are well aware that many people in real life are also not who they appear to be. So, are you eager to learn about the inspiration behind the narrative and the actual locations featured in the movie? In that case, we have all the details regarding the same!
Deadly Yoga Retreat Filming Locations
‘Deadly Yoga Retreat’ was filmed entirely in Hawaii, specifically on the island of Maui. Principal photography seemingly took place in November 2021. The picturesque landscape with the backdrop of the ocean works in favor of the Lifetime movie. Now, let’s navigate through the specific locations showcased in the film!
Maui, Hawaii
All the pivotal sequences for ‘Deadly Yoga Retreat’ were shot in Maui, the second-largest island in the state of Hawaii. The production team likely utilized several different regions across the diverse island to get suitable backdrops for each scene. Specifically, in mid-November, the cast and crew of the thriller movie were spotted lensing several important sequences in Kaanapali, a census-designated place on the island of Maui.
Moreover, the waterfall scene in the Lifetime thriller was filmed at the Twin Falls waterfall. Situated at 6300 Hana Highway in the incorporated community of Haiku in Maui, the sightseeing spot consists of waterfalls and pools after hiking through a rainforest.
Deadly Yoga Retreat Cast
Jonathan Bennett essays the role of Remy Morrow, a two-faced yoga guru who lures guests into his retreat for ulterior motives. He is known for his performance as Aaron Samuels in ‘Mean Girls,’ Bud McNulty in ‘Cheaper by the Dozen 2,’ Van in ‘Van Wilder: Freshman Year,’ and Casey Gant in ‘Veronica Mars.’
In addition, Danielle C. Ryan portrays Isabella, a married woman looking to find herself through the retreat. She began acting professionally in her early days and features in ‘Little Stars’ and as Thing One in ‘The Cat in the Hat.’ Furthermore, other cast members include Ashlyn Ani (Everly), Ashley Brinkman (Nina), Vene Chun (Jeffrey), Danielle Delaunay (Gretchen), Eric Gilliom (Patrick Miller), and Patty Lee (Erica).
Is Deadly Yoga Retreat a True Story?
No, ‘Deadly Yoga Retreat’ is not based on a true story. The intriguing narrative is instead the product of the creative minds and incredible writing of Robert Black and Brian Herzlinger, the latter of whom has a solid experience under his belt when it comes to writing screenplays. Thus, the two writers worked together and were able to craft a unique yet realistic plot for the Lifetime thriller.
Remy Morrow is a famous yoga guru who maintains a charming and professional facade but keeps his murderous urges under wraps until he finds the right time to kill his own guests. However, when Isabella learns his dark truth and becomes his next target, she must do everything she can to escape from his clutches. These similar characteristics have been seen in several other characters in different movies and TV shows, and one of the aptest examples is that of Hannibal Lecter in ‘Hannibal.’
Hannibal works as a forensic psychiatrist and is quite famous in his field of work, just like Remy. What makes the two characters even more similar is that Hannibal also tends to kill his own professional clients while maintaining his excellent reputation among the others. Hence, the subject of two-faced professionals who murder their own clients is not something that we as viewers haven’t seen before. With that being said, the fact that ‘Deadly Yoga Retreat’ is not inspired by actual events still holds true.
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