When presented in a cinematic form, an entertaining mystery has the potential to be utterly enthralling. If told in a smart way, an unravelling tale can put you on the edge of your seat. Co-written and directed by Aneesh Chaganty, Run is a new thriller that delivers spine-chilling suspense via the avenue of two fantastic lead performances. Although predictable and logically frail in some ways, the core of the narrative still works exceptionally well for this tense affair.
The story follows homeschooled teenager Chloe, a young disabled girl that begins to suspect that her mother has been hiding a dark secret. The aforementioned lead is played by Kiera Allen with Sarah Paulson as her seemingly loving parent.
From start to finish, the main thrust of Run is one that drips with a deep insidious nature. Even though the reveals are expected from early on, and this does remove a lot of the mystery, the events that transpire are still undeniably captivating. There are scenes in this movie that are terrifying, anxiety-inducing and utterly unforgettable. While these sequences are certainly impressively crafted by the filmmakers, it is the performances by our prime actresses that allow the script to successfully convey its strengths.
The acting from our cast elevates the entire picture, ensuring that each sharp-turn of this roller coaster is as effective as the last. The debut acting from Allen is remarkable, providing us with a believably distraught individual that makes refreshingly smart choices throughout. Additionally, every injection of new character information will leave audiences rooting for her more and more. However, while there are many positives to be discussed, there are some clear negatives too.
As mentioned, the dark secret is quite obvious from early on. Albeit not disastrous to the story, a bigger flaw that accompanies this is some of the logical fallacies that peak their head from time to time. This is particularly evident when it comes to the method of certain plot declarations. For a film that is so clever in so many ways, it is disappointing that some elements collapse under the slightest scrutiny or thought. A final criticism to mention pertains to the closing moments. Though the epilogue has the intention to close the movie in an intriguingly interesting way, the last few seconds add another twist that is simply unnecessary.
Created with limited sets and a likely small budget, the filmmaking must be commended for its efficiency. The direction by Aneesh Chaganty is tight and purposeful, using every component in a way that works for his intention. This includes the cinematography by Hillary Fyffe Spera and the music by Torin Borrowdale. These factors are not exceptional by any means but are functional for what they need to be.
Run is a very well made thriller, filled with petrifying suspense and supported impressively by its superb cast and fascinatingly dark story. Although the flaws are quite clear, they pale in comparison to the many positives and the viewing experience as a whole. For those looking for a quality thriller, Run might be the next movie for you.