Deaf Filmmaker's Chilling Thriller Premieres at Toronto Film Festival

Deaf writer and director Ted Evans is making his feature film debut with the chilling thriller Retreat, which is set to have its world premiere at the 50th Toronto International Film Festival on September 4, 2025. The film, adapted from Evans' 2013 short of the same name, follows the story of Eva, a woman who arrives at Chilmark, a secluded society of deaf individuals that has chosen to live separately from the hearing world.

Upon her arrival, Eva befriends Matt, who has lived in Chilmark since childhood. As Eva begins to shed the damage caused by her old life, she triggers a desire in Matt to experience the world outside of their isolated community. However, when Matt pleads with Chilmark's leader, Mia, to be allowed to travel, his request is denied. Undeterred, Matt embarks on his own journey of self-discovery, leading him to question everything about himself and his community.

The film features an all-deaf cast, including Sophie Stone, Anne Zander, James Boyle, and Ace Mahbaz, who Evans says were essential to bringing the story to life. "I wrote this story for me and my friends, so it was imperative we cast the film from within the community," the director explains. "These are wonderful actors who brought so much inner life to their roles, and I couldn't imagine making this film without them."