Unsane

Unsane is a riveting psychological thriller released in 2018, which features the stellar ensemble cast of Claire Foy, Joshua Leonard, and Jay Pharoah. The film showcases a brilliant fusion of suspense and horror as it explores themes of obsession, mental health, and survival within a distorted reality. Directed by accomplished filmmaker Steven Soderbergh, this movie deploys unconventional storytelling coupled with a palpable sense of claustrophobia to maintain an edge-of-the-seat experience throughout its runtime.

The film presents an intense narrative set primarily within the claustrophobic confines of a mental institution. Claire Foy delivers a riveting performance as Sawyer Valentini, a smart, young businesswoman. Trying to escape the painful memory of a disturbing and traumatic past, Sawyer relocates from Boston to Pennsylvania where she seeks to make a fresh start. However, the effects of her past continue to haunt her, leading her to wonder if she's truly shed her nightmares or if they're still persistently stalking her in her new life.

In an effort to deal with her emotional baggage, Sawyer seeks help and consultation from a psychiatrist. She casually signs a few documents, without realizing the repercussions - she unknowingly commits herself to a mental institution. Trapped, she struggles to convince the facility's staff that she doesn’t need to be held there. However, her assertions only serve to convince the staff further of her unstable mental state.

Claire Foy’s captivating performance as Sawyer commands attention throughout the movie. Her portrayal of a woman constantly straddling the line between sanity and insanity is truly mesmerizing. Foy's portrayal of fear, frustration, and desperation amid her circumstances showcases her talent and highlights the thematic depth of the plot.

Joshua Leonard plays excellently against Foy as a staff member who might or might not be the source of Sawyer's fears. His enigmatic character maintains the suspense, letting audiences ponder over his true character and motives. Leonard's performance infuses the film with a chilling menace that accentuates the unnerving atmosphere.

Jay Pharoah, known for his comedic roles, surprises with a dramatic turn as a patient who becomes Sawyer’s unexpected ally within the institution. Pharoah brings an element of levity and humanity to the somber setting. His character’s revelations about the facility's shady operations add another layer of complexity to the narrative, as it explores the underbelly of mental healthcare facilities' functioning.

Unsane's storytelling is remarkably enhanced through its unconventional filming technique. This film stands out as it was shot entirely on an iPhone 7 Plus. The choice to film with an iPhone introduces an up-close and invasive feel to the cinematography that adds to the sense of entrapment and invasion of privacy - reinforcing the film’s themes and Sawyer's experience within the mental institution.

The film successfully blurs the lines between reality and illusion, constantly keeping the audience wondering about Sawyer's mental state. It expertly handles the themes of obsessive stalking, predatory institutionalization, mental health, and survival. The viewers are left unsure about what is real and what might be a figment of Sawyer's tormented imagination.

Unsane is not a stereotypical horror movie filled with supernatural creatures or creaky haunted houses. Instead, it employs psychological facets to create a claustrophobic and nerve-wracking atmosphere. It is a taut thriller that plunges the audience into a chilling predicament and does not let up until the very end.

Overall, Unsane is a harrowing tale of a woman's struggle to hold onto her sanity while trapped within an institution, where reality is as subjective as perception. Its compelling narrative, riveting performances, distinctive cinematography, and deft exploration of relevant social issues elevate it beyond a conventional psychological thriller, making it a film worth watching for aficionados of the genre, and cinema at large.