“Run”–Walking Is Not An Option
Run is an intense and suspenseful thriller starring the master at horror and diabolical characters: Sarah Paulson. Portraying Diane, the mother of Chloe, a disabled seventeen-year-old girl (newcomer Kiera Allen, who is also wheelchair-bound in real life), has chosen to raise her daughter at home, in a rural town outside Seattle.
Mother and daughter seem to be very close. They begin each day settled into a cozy routine of daily lessons in physics or American lit, relaxing meals around the kitchen table, an occasional movie in town. But Chloe’s days also include hoisting herself into her wheelchair, spitting up in the toilet, massaging her skin with prescription creams, and swallowing a battery of prescription medicines. Born with severe complications (arrhythmia, hemochromatosis, asthma, diabetes, and paralysis in her legs), Chloe needs a lot of care that Diane provides diligently and lovingly, almost obsessively. Typical of any teenager, Chloe is looking forward to life away from home at the University of Washington. She waits every day for delivery of a letter of admissions.
And then the thriller ramps up. For this review I cannot say more or risk spoiler alerts and ruining the experience for some viewers. Don’t watch the trailer ahead of time! {It is at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Dhh7q9Us5c)
Both main characters’ worlds begin to unravel in terrifying ways and the viewer soon realizes that whatever has just happened, the worst is yet to happen.
The buildup is excellent. Run keeps the audience so tightly wound, some viewers may feel one step away from panic mode and hyperventilation. Both leading actors–Allen and Paulson– are noteworthy in succeeding to ratchet the suspense.
In a lean 90 minutes, the viewer almost wants the experience to be over because Run is so nerve-wracking, and you need to take a breath. Hang in there! There’s no way you should stop watching, even if you technically could end your anxiety by simply reaching for the remote!
The ending is well-worth the tension and– for this reviewer– is absolutely perfect!
Availability: Hulu as of November 20; originally scheduled for Mother’s Day (!)
Note: Casting newcomer Kiera Allen marks the first time an actual wheelchair user has played a lead role in a major thriller.
Eugene M
sounds as though this is too intense to watch alone…a real hand holder. thanks for review…looking forward to watching, definitely
not alone.