Run
Production Companies: Lionsgate and Search Party
Director: Aneesh Chaganty
Producers: Natalie Qasabian and Sev Ohanian
Scriptwriters: Sev Ohanian and Aneesh Chaganty
Main Cast: Sarah Paulson, Kiera Allen, Onalee Ames, Sara Sohn and Pat Healy
Release Date: April 2, 2021
Running Time: 89 Minutes
Certificate: 15
Run, a Thriller added to Netflix April 2nd tells the story of Diane and Chloe Sherman.
Synopsis
Run begins with Diane (Sarah Paulson) giving birth prematurely. Firstly, after being taken to see her daughter in the intensive care unit, she pleads and cries asking if the child will be ok. Shortly after, the screen blacks out. The screen features the definitions of multiple conditions. It should be noted we are to assume that child has: arrhythmia, hemochromatosis, asthma, diabetes, and paralysis.
Sometime after, 17 years to be exact, the plot now performs the narrative of Diane’s daughter Chloe Sherman (Kiera Allen). A talented young student who is waiting for the US colleges to accept her application. Chloe with her condition is expected to be housebound. She is in the care of her mother. Finally, with A lengthy routine of tablets and ointments followed by a strict diet, her health is the number one priority of her mother.
Later, in a rush to sneak a few extra chocolates, Chloe finds some green pills that are prescribed to her mother. Shortly after, Diane gives one of the ‘Triogoxin’ pills to Chloe. Denying that these pills are hers, Chloe trusts her mother and takes them anyway. With the internet being cut off, Chloe struggles to find what this medication does. Later, determined to find out, Chloe dials a stranger and asks what the medication is for. Eventually, he explains that Triogoxin is a heart medication and is a red pill.
Now aware that her mother has lied to her, Chloe figures out a way to learn the truth about these pills. During a movie date, she tells her mother that she needs to use the restroom. Her mother lets her go. Without a doubt, this is the perfect distraction, Chloe visits the pharmacy across the road, cutting in line, and demands to know more information. With patient confidentiality a key aspect in the film, she must lie and use the excuse as a scavenger hunt. And the pharmacist eventually gives in. The pill is actually Ridocaine which is for dogs. Human consumption suggests that this could make a human’s legs numb. Chloe begins to hyperventilate. Diane sedates her and brings her home.
Following, Chloe is now on house arrest by her own mother. The house is chained up. After working her way through the course of traps, Chloe eventually makes it to the front door and heads to the main road. The mail truck comes to be her rescue vehicle. Diane follows. As they make the journey, Diane intercepts and injects the mailman with a lethal sedative.
They return home, Chloe is in the basement. Exploring an area she’s never seen before; her college acceptance letters are on the floor and a box of photos and documents. These documents show that her real baby died two hours after giving birth. Alongside this is another document showing the parents reaching out for their child who had gone missing. Chloe finds pictures of her walking, showing that she was never ill in the first place. Diane comes to start fresh. Chloe accuses her mother of Factitious disorder imposed on another (known to make the child seem poorly, so that the mother can play the nurse role.) Refusing to admit these claims, Diane fills a syringe with household neurotoxins. Clearly realizing her mother can’t live without her, Chloe drinks a bottle of Organophosphates, forcing her to be hospitalized.
Subsequently unable to speak, Chloe asks for the nurses to bring her a piece of paper and a crayon. Interrupted by her mother, she only manages to write ‘mom’. Eventually, in an attempt to break her free from the hospital, Diane forces Chloe into her wheelchair and makes a run for it. After suspicions from the doctor after reviewing Chloe’s medical record, he orders for security to find the two. Diane pulls out her gun and they shoot her.
Seven years later, Chloe goes to visit someone in the infirmary ward. She talks about her life, her children, and her husband. Her mother is lying there in the bed. Pulling out the green pills in Chloe’s mouth, she tells her mother that she loves her, and tells her to open wide.
Finally, the movie ends by Chloe taking her revenge and poisoning her mother the exact same way she did to her.
Analysis
Firstly, Sarah Paulson is no stranger to this genre of thriller. With her previous work in the Netflix series of ‘Ratched and American Horror Story’ the role that she adapts to in ‘Run’ really is just second nature to her. The acting from her in this film truly is great. This film is Kiera Allen’s debut film. I hope that this film will not be her last. The narrative of this film is incredibly harrowing and I should imagine very hard to portray. Both actresses present such a convincing narrative which makes this a very interesting and good watch.
If you’ve watched the Kathy Bates hit film of ‘Misery’ released in 1990, you’ll find that this film produced similarities in its narrative. Except for its mother and daughter rather than an obsessed fan. The hiding of the green pills in her room and the attempted escape route is very similar to James Cann’s scenes. I think this film took real inspiration from a classic film, adapted it, and made it a modern-day Thriller named Run. Personally, Misery still holds the crown for this type of narrative, however, Paulson and Allen do a very good job to try and take the title.
Unfortunately, the film is very fast. The 89 minutes seemed to fly by very quickly. Undoutbley, this definitely kept me gripped to my screen. Alongside the excellent screenplay, it over before I wanted it to be!
Finally, the film although predictable at times due to it being done before. Nonetheless it’s still well worth your time.
Summary
Last but not least, to conclude, if you’re looking for a modern-day adaptation of the firm favorite of the 1990’s film Misery, ‘Run’ is seriously your best bet.
Notes
Target Audience: 15+
Content: Violence, threat, illness theme and drug references.
Recommendation?: Yes
Overall Rating: 7/10 – Good
Further Reading
For more information on the film ‘Run’ please click here.
To read our previous movie reviews, please click here.
