Run (2020)

Run (2020)

7/10

Starring

Sarah Paulson

Kiera Allen

Directed by Aneesh Chaganty

Here’s a fine psychological thriller to check out. Sarah Paulson (as Diane) delivers a performance that’s nothing short of legendary, as expected. The movie masterfully builds tension, steadily increasing the viewer’s pulse rate as everything escalates toward a gripping climax. With just two main actors carrying most of the film, Run makes the best use of its small cast and likely modest budget, creating a memorable and intense experience.

Contains Spoilers

The stakes are high for the two central characters as they battle in a life-or-death scenario, leaving viewers on edge as they wonder who will come out on top. Run is a fun and thrilling watch. While I wasn’t completely hooked at first, the subtle discrepancies in Diane’s actions began to draw me in. The film carries a familiar sense of déjà vu for fans of similar thrillers, so I wasn’t entirely surprised when Diane’s condition, factitious disorder imposed on another (FDIA), was revealed. However, the extreme lengths Diane goes to and Chloe’s determination to outsmart her kept me fully engaged.

The movie begins with a heartbreaking scene of Diane crying, presumably over the death of her child. We then jump 17 years into the future, where Diane is attending a support group for mothers. This scene subtly sets the tone that something is off with Diane. Although she puts on a composed façade, claiming she’s confident in her daughter Chloe’s ability to become independent, hints of instability peek through her words.

Chloe, Diane’s daughter, is portrayed as a severely ill teenager. She has asthma, diabetes, and is paralyzed from the waist down. Despite her health challenges, Chloe is technically skilled and has applied to universities, eagerly awaiting her acceptance letter. However, Diane micromanages Chloe’s life to an extreme degree. Chloe is homeschooled, isolated from the outside world, and doesn’t have a phone or friends.

The turning point comes when Chloe, trying to sneak some chocolates, notices that one of her pills is labeled with her mother’s name. Her questions about it are dismissed by Diane, but Chloe’s suspicion grows. Determined to uncover the truth, Chloe investigates the pills and, in doing so, begins unraveling a dark and sinister reality about her mother’s actions.

Once Chloe discovers the horrifying truth about what Diane has been doing to her, the movie takes a sharp and chilling turn. The tension escalates as Chloe fights back, trying to escape the twisted web her mother has spun around her.