Unsane

Unsane (2018): Spoiler-Free Review

Unsane is Steven Soderbergh’s 2018 psychological thriller, shot entirely on an iPhone. It is tense, close and hard to shake.

The Premise

Sawyer Valentini (Claire Foy) moves to a new city to escape a stalker. One day she visits a counselor and signs a form without reading it. She ends up locked in a psychiatric facility against her will. Inside, she sees a face she knows, and no one believes her.

Why It Works

• Claire Foy gives a sharp, fierce performance.
• The iPhone cameras make the film feel raw and close.
• Soderbergh keeps the story lean and the pace tight.

At a Glance

• Director: Steven Soderbergh
• Cast: Claire Foy, Joshua Leonard, Jay Pharoah, Juno Temple
• Format: Shot on an iPhone 7 Plus
• Genre: Psychological thriller

Verdict

A creepy, clever thriller that puts you in Sawyer’s shoes. It is short and effective.

• Who should watch: Fans of paranoid thrillers and Soderbergh’s experiments.
• Spoilers: none. We never reveal the twist in this review.