by Shane Conto
Crazy overprotective mothers make the best antagonists for horror/thrillers, right? Writer/director Aneesh Chaganty who certainly agrees with those sentiments with his latest feature releasing on Hulu, Run. Chaganty made a splash with Searching (one of my top films of 2018) and will certainly make another one with this dark thriller. The trope of the overbearing mother in the name of safety has been around since the times of fairy tales yet it continues to rear its head to this day in all forms of media. This story centers around Kiera Allen’s Chloe who struggles with a list of health issues that together create the perfect storm of harm. She is confined in a wheelchair and is home schooled by her mother, played by Sarah Paulson. From the opening scenes, you know there is tragedy ahead and something dark below the surface. From the jump, Run is a thrill ride worth taking.
Chaganty shows his creative ability to induce poignant tension and suspense through Run.
His previous work on Searching was eye opening as he was able to milk every bit of tension and suspense from the desktop focused gimmick. Chaganty is at it again as he fills every sequence with dread and a sense of concern. The background is effectively used to deliver some scares and a deft handle on editing builds up the tension. The use of montage in one particular phone call scene is so effective in how it creates suspense and tension. The camera work is also quite effective despite the lack of flashy work. The framing creates intimacy with the emotional state of the characters and the clear focus in the background allows for some quality suspense as someone might always be watching. The pacing is perfect and lean as nothing feels forced or elongated. The film takes the audience on a ride and keeps that energy until the very end.
Chaganty also delivers with his script work as this pretty standard story is fleshed out and layers are folded in.
The story really comes down to Chloe slowly realizing something just might be off about her relationship with her mother. As the layers are pulled back, the tension builds and builds in such an organic way. The film knows just what it is and runs with it…you see what I did there? In some ways you know exactly how the film is supposed to play out, but Chaganty is able to add some intriguing twists that will shock you and leave the audience shaken. The finale of the does deliver quite the cathartic payoff which is very satisfying. Does the film rely on dumb decisions and poor logic at times? Yeah, but the script delivers too much for those smaller flaws to really detract from the experiences.
What really elevated this film beyond a standard thriller is the top-notch performances.
Sarah Paulson…well what else can be said about this talented actress. She has been on a giant roll as of late grabbing up plenty of fantastic and meaty roles for herself. Her portrayal as the mother, Diane, in this film pulls out so many dimensions to a character who can have easily fallen into caricature. She is unnerving and intense which is essential to this character to work. But there are times where she shows a warped sense of love and other relatable emotions. This character should not be this layered but Paulson’s performance delivers tenfold. Kiera Allen is a great standout as she delivers in the leading role. She plays off her illnesses and disabilities in a believable way. She delivers the emotional heft of the role whenever the plot twists and the shocking realizations need to be portrayed. The growth her character goes through is moving and inspiring and that is thanks to Allen’s performance.
The question is: will you be running over to Hulu to check out Run?
Why wouldn’t you? The performances from Allen and Paulson are impressive and affecting. The suspense and plot twists are effective in creating the necessary thriller for a great experience. The film is well crafted and well realized by a creative force like Aneesh Chaganty. So yes…you really should be checking out \Run this fall.
Grade: A-