If you were in an unfathomable life-or-death situation, but calling for help would only make you look crazy, what steps would you take to save yourself? Run asked and answered this question.
I love a movie with a victim that no one believes. Your average thriller usually pits a few people against one killer, but the victim everyone suspects makes for a perfect Friday night. “The Run” is the perfect movie in this category, with a villain you both hate and pity, and a protagonist you root for desperately.
“Run” is a great movie that definitely deserves more attention. The execution of this film makes it one of the most underrated films on Hulu.
What makes The Run so special
“Run” centers on Chloe (played by newcomer Kiera Allen), a teenager in a wheelchair who begins to uncover dark secrets about her overbearing mother Diane (Sarah Paulson) . The film begins with Diane’s premature baby, Chloe, facing a series of health issues. The camera then flashes back 17 years to show their isolated country lifestyle, with Diane tightly controlling Chloe’s homeschool curriculum and medical care. Chloe knew basically no company other than her mother’s.
When Chloe discovers a bottle of suspicious medication prescribed to Diane with Chloe’s name on it, she begins to suspect that her mother has fabricated her medical history. As she investigates further, the mother-daughter relationship changes drastically, and Chloe tries to leave before it’s too late.
Escalating tensions, threats of violence and unexpected twists lead to an emotionally and physically painful confrontation between two strong-willed women, one of whom has the disadvantage of being in a wheelchair. The question arises: If these medications weren’t meant for her at all… was Chloe ever sick?
Without giving away spoilers, this unusual premise explores the theme of maternal manipulation, which is interesting in its own right. This is something many of us can relate to, our families weigh every big decision we make and it can feel suffocating at times. In moments like these, all we can get is the comforting thought that they meant well. Can Chloe give herself the same comfort?
“The Run” has all the elements of a classic thriller – a vulnerable protagonist trapped in a terrifying situation, a creepy antagonist keeping a secret, and escalating psychological games filled with surprises. What’s refreshing is that disabled teen Chloe is seen as a capable, ruthless hero rather than just a helpless victim. Watching her piece together the lies she’s been told and figure out how to save herself is a powerful and gripping viewing experience.
Aneesh Chaganty, the director of “Run”, previously filmed the 2018 movie “Searching”. Searching is a truly innovative thriller because it takes place entirely on smartphone and computer screens. John Cho stars as a father desperately searching for his missing daughter by tracking her online activities for clues.
Chaganty once again uses clever editing and camerawork in Run to create an immersive atmosphere of paranoia and tension. His skill at crafting thrillers with emotional depth and technical flair makes this film a must-see for fans of the genre.