Unsane Review

Disclaimer: Contains spoilers!

Plot Summary: A woman is unwittingly committed to a psychiatric hospital in which her stalker works.

Review: The story is either the ravings of a complete lunatic or the most preposterous series of improbable coincidences. In some ways, I kind of like that ambiguity despite the movie presenting things in a straightforward manner. In fact, that's kind of the issue at hand. The story line is presented coherently enough, but the editing implies that there is much more going on than what we see. Or you could simply accept that these numerous contrivances could occur at once to create shenanigans of the highest order.

Let's recap the events to emphasize what we're working with. Sawyer is an anxious woman due to her experience with a stalker, named David. Having delusions, seeing David everywhere, Sawyer seeks help from a counselor at a mental hospital. After answering a few questions, Sawyer is admitted as a patient against her will. While trying to prove that she is very much sane, Sawyer comes to realize that David is working as an orderly at this hospital after taking on the identity of some random guy. When spazzing out over this revelation, Sawyer appears even crazier with no one believing her; this lengthens her stay at the hospital as she lashes out. Only one patient believes Sawyer's story as he claims that the hospital is admitting sane people as an insurance scam. This guy is killed by David as he abducts Sawyer and attempts to fulfill his fantasies with her. Likewise, David manages to kill Sawyer's mom and hides Sawyer within the mental hospital's inner chambers. Eventually, David takes Sawyer to the woods where she manages to kill the bastard. The murdered patient is revealed to have been a journalist who was working to expose the facility which happens once the body of the orderly David was impersonating is found. The film ends with Sawyer somewhat back to normal but still seeing David everywhere. Well, that's all there is to it...right? Nope.

Of course, we could accept the story at face value. But are we to truly believe that Sawyer walks into an insurance scam at the exact same time a journalist is working on a story...all the while her stalker can kill an orderly who just happens to start work the day after Sawyer is admitted and is able to steal his identity?! C'mon, son. How did David even know Sawyer was there? Worse, how could David have possibly known the orderly was starting work there? If that was the actual intent of the writers then they're retarded. However, I think there is more to this given the editing.

The film opens from David's perspective and uses the same bizarre blue lighting that is shown at the climax. Furthermore, we see two instances of this blue dress that David wants Sawyer to wear for him. Sawyer is already seeing David everywhere and even sees him at the hospital before he actually does turn up. Strangely enough, the orderly that Sawyer imagines as David is not seen again. Could the events of the film be what Sawyer thinks is happening? Even her discussion with the counselor and turning in the commitment paperwork has a weird editing blur; it's also worth noting the receptionist looks at Sawyer like she has no idea what she's talking about. Then there is the patient, Violet, who refers to Sawyer as someone else. Yeah, that might be weak support, but the surreal nature of the story could help explain things. After all, Sawyer's name sounds more grandiose which is mentioned; maybe her name isn't even Sawyer. This leads me to the mom and her unbelievable introduction. The mom wears clothes that match her wallpaper and she almost blends in with her own knickknacks with the dyed hair. You can't tell me these details and strange editing choices don't mean anything in a movie all about being crazy. Perhaps the events of the film took place in Sawyer's mind when David was driving her out to the woods. That might explain the opening scene. Or, maybe David is fantasizing this. I can't say for sure what's the answer, but I don't accept the film's events as presented.

Hmm...with all things to considered, "Unsane" is a decent thriller. I do find it extremely vague or utterly ridiculous if we are to accept the series of events that lead to the story's premise. The cinematography is unique which I enjoyed. I especially liked a lot of the lighting and visceral closeups; I would love this kind of camerawork applied to a film from a serial killer's perspective. Since I see this film's merits in an unusual way, it's tough to say whether this is a recommend or not. While this is an above average film for sure, I can see it boring casual filmgoers.

Notable Moment: When David is chasing Sawyer through the forest during the climax. The blue lighting was a surprisingly beautiful aesthetic.

Final Rating: 6/10

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