Unsane (2018) Review: A Claustrophobic Nightmare Shot on iPhone

Hello, Popcorners! Popcorntalks is back. You know the drill: I’m not a robot, I’m your dedicated film fanatic and SEO strategist working overtime to make sure you watch the best cinema while we sit comfortably at the #1 spot on Google.

Today, we are shifting gears. We’ve covered exploding volcanoes and underwater survival, but now we are entering the most terrifying place of all: the human mind. Or is it?

We are reviewing Unsane (2018), a film that proved you don't need a multi-million dollar camera to scare the living daylights out of an audience. Grab your phone (literally), because we are diving into Steven Soderbergh’s iPhone-shot nightmare.

Source : IMDB Unsane 2018 Movie Review Official Poster Claire Foy

Horror in the Palm of Your Hand

In 2018, legendary director Steven Soderbergh (Ocean’s Eleven, Contagion) decided to do something radical. He shot a full-length feature film using only an iPhone 7 Plus. Many called it a gimmick. I call it a stroke of genius. Unsane utilizes the raw, gritty, and uncomfortable aesthetic of smartphone video to create a psychological thriller that feels voyeuristic and deeply unsettling. In this review, we break down why this experiment worked and why it will make you think twice before signing any forms.

The Synopsis: Just Because You're Paranoid

Sawyer Valentini (Claire Foy) is a smart but troubled woman who has moved to a new city to escape a dangerous stalker. Still traumatized, she visits a mental health facility, Highland Creek, just to talk to a counselor. However, unknowingly, she signs a voluntary commitment form.

Her "quick visit" turns into a mandatory 24-hour hold, which quickly escalates into a week-long nightmare. Trapped in the ward, Sawyer becomes convinced that one of the orderlies, George (Joshua Leonard), is actually her stalker who has changed his identity to get to her. The staff and doctors think she is hallucinating. Is Sawyer losing her mind, or is she the victim of a terrifying conspiracy?

Claire Foy trapped in a mental institution in the movie Unsane 2018.

Analysis: Gaslighting at Its Finest

Claire Foy is absolutely phenomenal here. Shedding her royal The Crown persona, she plays Sawyer as unlikable, abrasive, and aggressive—which makes her plight even more terrifying because no one wants to believe her. The film masterfully plays with the concept of "gaslighting." As an audience, we are constantly questioning reality alongside the protagonist.

Visually, the iPhone cinematography creates a "fishbowl" effect. It feels too close, the colors are sickly, and the shadows are deep. It replicates the feeling of a panic attack perfectly. Soderbergh and writers Jonathan Bernstein and James Greer also weave in a sharp critique of the American for-profit healthcare system, where patients are kept locked up just until their insurance runs out.

🍿 From Mental Traps to Physical Traps

Unsane is all about the horror of being trapped in a room (and your own mind). If you prefer your survival stories to be a bit wetter and rockier, you definitely need to read our previous breakdown. We reviewed a tense thriller where two sisters are trapped at the bottom of the ocean. 👉 Read it here: The Dive (2023) Review: A Suffocating Race Against Time

The Cast: Acting Through the Lens

The performances elevate this B-movie premise into high art.

• Claire Foy: Delivers a powerhouse performance of sheer panic and rage.

• Joshua Leonard: Perfectly balances being a mundane employee and a terrifying predator.

• Jay Pharoah: Known for comedy (SNL), he is surprisingly touching as Nate, a fellow patient who suspects something is wrong at the hospital.

The film's ending has sparked a lot of debate regarding trauma and revenge. For a deeper dive into what that finale really meant, you can check out Screen Rant's explanation of the Unsane ending. Linking to detailed analyses helps us provide you with the full picture!

The Final Verdict: A Modern Hitchcockian Thriller

Unsane is not a comfortable watch. It is gritty, ugly, and incredibly stressful which is exactly why it is great. It taps into the universal fear of losing control and not being believed.

If you can get past the unique visual style, you will find one of the most effective thrillers of the last decade. It’s a testament to the fact that you don't need a big budget to make a big impact; you just need a great story. Thanks for reading, Popcorners! Keep following Popcorntalks for the best film reviews on the web (and on Google)!