Movie Breakdown: Unsane

Pre-Screening Stance:

Steven Soderbergh has directed so many good movies that it’s impossible for me to not look forward to something with his name on it.  With that being said, I’m more intrigued than usual by this shot-on-an-iPhone thriller of his.

Post-Screening Ramble:

Even though I went into Unsane expecting an unsettling experience, I was surprised at how much it weirded me out.  Not only does the film highlight the PTSD that comes from being the victim of a stalker, but it adds a horror element on top of it all that simultaneously makes things too unbelievable and too realistic.  This means that as Sawyer Valentini (a very good Claire Foy) struggles to keep her shit together in a mental institution that she’s been involuntarily committed to, your head is swirling and unsure of what’s real and what’s only happening in her head.  There’s also something to be said about this film being shot on an iPhone.  Yes, it’s certainly gimmicky, but director Steven Soderbergh keeps the backgrounds dull and implements a lot of close-ups, so it works to the strengths of the phone’s camera while also adding a semi-claustrophobic feel to the film.

I think Unsane is better than it has any right to be, so that means you should go and see it.  Just don’t be surprised when it gives you the willies.

One Last Thought:

Most of the people seated near me at the screening found this film to be absolutely hilarious.  At first I figured it was nervous laughter, as it’s a tense movie, but by the end of it they were cracking up so hard that it started to make me feel crazy.  Could it be that the cacklers were planted by the studio in order to make the film come off as super bonkers?  Or did I just happen to sit next to 40 crazy people?  It’s the latter, isn’t it?  Dang it.