Unsane Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Girl goes to therapy, accidentally signs up for extended stay at a stalker’s summer camp, chaos ensues, filmed on a phone…because, reasons.

🍿 Unsane: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Troubled Past

Sawyer Valentini, haunted by a two-year stalking ordeal, relocates to Pennsylvania hoping to escape her past. Despite a new job and city, she struggles with lingering trauma and anxieties triggered by interactions with men. She seeks counseling at Highland Creek Behavioral Center to address these issues, unaware of the nightmare that awaits.

Involuntary Commitment

During her initial consultation, Sawyer unknowingly signs a consent form that commits her to a 24-hour observation period at Highland Creek. Realizing she’s been tricked, she attempts to leave, but is prevented from doing so. Frustrated and feeling trapped, Sawyer calls the police, but they are unable to intervene due to the signed consent form, setting the stage for her terrifying ordeal.

Descent into Madness or Reality?

As Sawyer navigates the unfamiliar and unsettling environment of the psychiatric ward, she experiences escalating conflicts with both patients and staff. Her attempts to assert her sanity are undermined by these outbursts, leading to an extension of her stay. Adding to her distress, Sawyer becomes convinced that her stalker, David Strine, is working at the facility as an orderly named George Shaw. Is this a genuine threat, or a manifestation of her deeply rooted paranoia?

Insurance Scam and Deceit

Sawyer finds an unlikely ally in Nate Hoffman, a fellow patient recovering from opioid addiction. Nate reveals the facility’s unethical practice of prolonging patients’ stays to maximize insurance payouts. He exposes a system where individuals are kept against their will for financial gain, adding another layer of corruption and conspiracy to Sawyer’s already dire situation. Nate helps Sawyer contact her mother, setting in motion a chain of events that will have deadly consequences.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Sawyer Valentini (Claire Foy): A troubled young woman who is involuntarily committed to a mental institution and confronted by her stalker.
• David Strine (Joshua Leonard): Sawyer’s obsessive stalker who poses as an orderly in the mental institution to get close to her.
• Nate Hoffman (Jay Pharoah): A fellow patient and recovering opiate addict who befriends Sawyer and helps her uncover the hospital’s insurance scam.
• Violet (Juno Temple): An unstable patient in the institution who is a danger to herself and others.
• Angela Valentini (Amy Irving): Sawyer’s mother who is determined to help her daughter get out of the mental institution.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• David Strine: “I love it when you wear blue. I mean, I love you in anything.” – David’s opening narration, establishing his obsession and Sawyer’s initial encounter with him.
• Sawyer Valentini: “This is insane. I want to leave.” – Sawyer expresses her panic and frustration when she realizes she is being held against her will.
• Nate Hoffman: “This place is running a scheme to milk health insurance claims for profit.” – Nate reveals the truth about Highland Creek and its insurance scam practices.
• Sawyer Valentini: “Your life slips away from you, you know? Changing your phone number and your email becomes normal. Taking out a restraining order, normal. Relocating to another city, normal.” – Sawyer tells Nate about how stalking changed her life.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $1.5M
• Domestic Gross: $7.7M
• Worldwide Gross: $14.3M

💥 Unsane Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, I was super intrigued by this movie because it was shot on an iPhone. I wasn’t sure what to expect. I was pretty much on the edge of my seat the whole time! The story is messed up, but in a good way. There were moments when I was totally questioning Sawyer’s sanity, and then BAM, something would happen that made me think she was actually telling the truth. It kept me guessing and I felt really invested in her story. The ending? Whoa. I’m still not sure what to think about it!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of psychological thrillers”
  • “Viewers interested in films exploring themes of paranoia and stalking”
  • “Those who appreciate experimental filmmaking techniques”
  • “Claire Foy fans”
  • “Viewers seeking a suspenseful and intense viewing experience”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Violence”
  • “Stalking”
  • “Mental health themes”
  • “Claustrophobia”
  • “Disturbing images”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “Unsane is a gripping and unsettling psychological thriller. Soderbergh’s choice to shoot on an iPhone gives the film an unsettling intimacy. While the plot occasionally veers into the improbable, Claire Foy’s performance keeps you invested.
• The Hollywood Reporter: “A taut, claustrophobic thriller that effectively uses its limited budget to create a sense of unease. Claire Foy delivers a powerhouse performance, and the iPhone cinematography adds to the raw, visceral experience. If you like thrillers, this should be your pick.
• Empire Magazine: “Unsane is a stylish and suspenseful thriller that benefits from Claire Foy’s committed performance and Steven Soderbergh’s inventive direction. The plot is somewhat predictable, but the execution is undeniably effective.

Audience Reactions

Claire Foy’s performance was absolutely captivating!: Many viewers praised Claire Foy’s performance, noting her ability to convey a range of emotions and her commitment to the role.

The iPhone cinematography gave the film a unique and unsettling vibe.: Viewers found the iPhone cinematography to be effective in creating a claustrophobic and unsettling atmosphere that enhanced the overall viewing experience.

Overall Consensus: Unsane is a psychological thriller that polarizes viewers with it’s iPhone cinematography but has a solid performance from the main actress.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Unsane was filmed entirely on an iPhone 7 Plus using the FiLMiC Pro app.”
• “The movie was shot in just 10 days, a remarkably short production schedule for a feature film.”
• “Director Steven Soderbergh served as his own cinematographer and editor for the film.”

🖥️ How to Watch Unsane?

Unsane is currently available for rent or purchase on various digital platforms such as Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your preferred streaming service for availability, as it may change over time. Physical copies on Blu-ray and DVD are also typically available from major retailers like Amazon and Best Buy, providing options for collectors or those without reliable internet access.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Unsane, you might like these similar films:

• Session 9 (2001): Features a psychological thriller set in an abandoned mental institution, blurring the line between reality and delusion.
• The Machinist (2004): Explores themes of paranoia and distorted reality.
• One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1975): Explores the themes of mental health, power dynamics within an institution, and the question of sanity.
• Identity (2003): A group of strangers are trapped in an isolated motel during a storm, and they soon realize that they are all connected to a dangerous individual with multiple personalities.

🛒 Unsane Related Products

• The Complete Blair Witch Project Film Collection [Blu-ray]: Explore one of the most influential found-footage horror franchises. A unique addition to any horror fan’s collection, complete with bonus content.
• Mental Health Awareness T-Shirt: Show your support for mental health awareness with this stylish and comfortable t-shirt.
• Stalker Movie Collection [DVD]: A great collection to learn more about stalker behaviors.
• iPhone 15 Pro Max: It’s not just a phone, it’s your next camera to film a psychological thriller!

🎧 Soundtrack

Unsane features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Burn” – performed by DTCV
• “Halloween Theme” – performed by John Carpenter

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

UNSANE (2018) Ending + Twists Explained

Confused by the ending of Unsane? This video breaks down all the twists and turns, making it much easier to understand. I found it super helpful in piecing everything together!

This Movie Was Shot On An iPhone

Did you know ‘Unsane’ was shot entirely on an iPhone? This video explores how that decision impacted the film and the unique challenges the director faced. It’s mind-blowing what they accomplished!

Unsane – Movie Review

Curious what the critics thought of ‘Unsane’? Chris Stuckmann gives his take on the movie’s plot, performances, and overall impact. I always value his perspective, it might help you decide if you want to watch the movie!

Creative Limits In Movies | Video Essay

Ever wonder how limitations can actually *improve* a movie? This video uses ‘Unsane’ as an example to show how restrictions like shooting on an iPhone can boost creativity. It’s a fascinating look at filmmaking!

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