RUN (2020): A Chilling, Gripping Thriller of Control and Escape
Run is a taut, claustrophobic thriller that traps viewers in a disturbing world of manipulation, secrecy, and fear. Directed by Aneesh Chaganty, the film follows a homeschooled teenager named Chloe who begins to suspect that her mother is hiding terrifying secrets from her. What begins as a subtle sense of unease quickly spirals into a full-blown nightmare as Chloe uncovers layer after layer of deceit.
Sarah Paulson delivers a chilling performance as Diane, the seemingly devoted mother whose love masks something deeply sinister. Kiera Allen, making her feature film debut, gives a powerful and nuanced performance as Chloe, portraying both vulnerability and fierce resilience. The tension between the two is palpable, driving the story with relentless psychological pressure.
What makes Run so effective is its minimalist approach. The story is largely confined to a single house, yet every hallway, locked door, and prescription bottle becomes a source of paranoia. The pacing is tight, and the suspense builds with surgical precision, keeping audiences questioning what’s real and what’s a carefully crafted illusion.
More than just a thriller, Run explores themes of control, dependency, and the desperate lengths to which some people will go to protect the lies they live in. It’s a film that lingers after the credits roll, making you question how well we truly know the people closest to us.
With smart direction, strong performances, and a story that grips from start to finish, Run is a standout psychological thriller that reminds us — sometimes the person who claims to love us the most is the one we need to escape from.
