Run – Review

Writer/Director Aneesh Chaganty has returned to the screen with another feature length film, which is now available on Hulu to stream.

Run tells the story of Chloe Sherman, a young wheelchair bound girl who is homeschooled by her mother, when she starts to uncover secrets about her mother and herself.

Chaganty’s last film Searching, which was indeed a well made film, that was filmed solely from the camera’s electronic devices. In Run he is going in a different direction that is more traditional for the thriller genre, but he proves himself to be a worthy director nonetheless. Chaganty’s films thus far have aimed to depict and illustrate the relationship between parent and child, whether that be through father and daughter or mother and daughter. He also shows how, between the two, they conceal and hide things from one another.

There is a montage sequence at the beginning of this film, that shows the mundane process of being someone who has a physical disability, but also the range of someone with multiple disorders. We are right along side the young protagonist for a majority of the time, and we not only feel for them, but we also stress for them. Each scene where Chloe is putting each piece of the puzzle together, we as the audience are brimming with anxiety and fear. With slick editing, and a suspenseful score that surges as every minute goes by, you are gripping your seat wishing it would all be over.

Sarah Paulson and Kiera Allen do an excellent job in their respective roles, and when they have scenes together, it is truly a joy to watch. People that have seen this film can’t stop talking about Paulson’s performance, which is great. But lets not discredit Allen’s portrayal as Chloe, because without that performance, that drama and suspense wouldn’t have worked nearly as well.

It’s a nice looking film that is very clear, and well shot. Close up zoom’s and long takes that are executed very well, which only strengthen the character’s onscreen.

Run is a common genre thriller, that does have a predictable ending. That is a flaw that you can’t really avoid. However with the craftsmanship on display, I would not consider it just another throwaway concept. Let me also acknowledge that it’s a 90 minute thriller on the dot, and it does not waste a second.