Run

What's rather interesting with the suspense thrillers is how their premises don't rely too much on their budgets but rather how engaging the suspense is. In order to succeed, they just need to identify the protagonist, make sure we share their stress as they undergo this physical or mental conflict, and find a satisfying conclusion that's fitting to what came before. A few recent personal favorites that comes to mind with this are Searching (2018) and Don't Breathe (2016). This brings us to a new entry in that area from the writer of the former, Run, which was directed/co-written by Aneesh Chaganty and released on Hulu this past November. There wasn't much social media marketing buzz for it but it was brought to my attention due to a review from a YouTube movie critic (in this case Chris Stuckmann). I watched it not knowing too much about it and ended up having a bit of fun with it, despite its noticeable issues. 

What's it about? The story follows a homeschooled 17 year old girl with physical health issues who suspects her mother is up to something malevolent. It's interesting to look at a protagonist in a wheelchair with afflictions such as asthma deal with a stressful conflict. It's good seeing a low budget thriller making the most of its environment since the majority of it takes place in the house. The chess game between these 2 characters is fascinating to watch until a point. The twist itself, despite not being anything new or special, works efficiently for what it's going for. 

The big stumbling hurdle, however, that stops the momentum from the first 2 acts is the final third. It felt like after they revelation that's discovered, the filmmakers were like "Well we got to that nice twist...oh wait, how should we end this with what's left of the budget?" It doesn't maintain the anxiety from before and feels rather stock in that section. 

 

How are the actors? In regards to story importance, the actors to focus on are Sarah Paulson and Kiera Allen. Sarah provides a great performance that blends uneasiness and a manipulative attitude for her role. Kiera does a surprisingly good job with the responsibility of this part in her film debut (she's an actual wheelchair user in real life). The chemistry between these two actresses works well enough as a fun chase of sorts between them until the third act where the writing and directing gets rushed.

 

Overall Consensus: Run is an effective thriller with solid tension, good lead performances, and an effective yet familiar twist, despite suffering from third act that loses momentum. ⭑⭑⭑3/4 Runtime: 90 minutes PG-13

 

Reasons to watch it: You like any of the aforementioned actors and/or director Aneesh Chaganty. You like seeing wheelchair user protagonists in tense conflicts. You don't mind familiar twists that are effective for the plot. 

 

Reasons to avoid it: You dislike any of the aforementioned actors and/or director Aneesh Chaganty. You aren't in the mood for suspense thrillers. You are bored with twist reveals that aren't anything new for you.