Run

Directed by Aneesh Chaganty
Starring Sarah Paulson, Pat Healy, Erik Athavale, Kiera Allen and Onalee Ames
Running time: 1 hour and 30 minutes
MPAA rating: Rated PG-13 for disturbing thematic content, some violence/terror and language

by Emily Maesar

In 2018, along with many other people, I saw Searching in theatres and was completely taken. It featured one of my favorite actors, though I fear he still remains deeply overlooked by the mainstream, and held my attention like nothing else. It was a thriller told through screens, not a new concept by any means, but I remain convinced it’s still the best and most creative use of this newer storytelling device. 

I bring up Searching because Run is the direct follow up from writer duo Aneesh Chaganty and Sev Ohanian, with Chaganty directing. It’s their sophomore effort and it’s a good one. Their problem, however, is that their debut was just such a knockout. Run is a thriller that certainly nails it, but all the elements are vastly different from its predecessor. It works in the classical sense, while Searching felt like a whole new beast. Run is tense and the performances were all good, great even. And honestly, newcomer Kiera Allen is one to watch. I’m stoked to see where her career goes from here.

The film is about the relationship between Diane (Sarah Paulson) and her daughter Chloe (Allen), on the verge of Chloe (hopefully) leaving for college. Chloe uses a wheelchair and has some health conditions like diabetes and asthma from what we assume is a premature and difficult birth. She’s been homeschooled, but she and her mother seem quite well adjusted. Until, one day, Chloe sees a pill bottle she’s not meant to and her medication changes color. She becomes suspicious and from there it’s a tight, thrilling story about a daughter’s escape, while the walls of a mother’s love close in around her.

I want to say that I think this film is good. It was an enjoyable ride - thrilling in all the right places, with solid set pieces. The one with the mailman, in particular, had me on the edge of my seat. However, compared to their first film, Run is tame. Never quite as compelling, interesting or shocking. Still very fun, but not quite on the same level. 

Also, from a marketing point of view, I think this film being picked up by Hulu as an exclusive for distribution is beyond interesting. Mostly because of its similarity to the real life story of Gypsy Rose Blanchard, which was fictionalized for a Hulu original series, The Act. 

Now, I find this interesting not just because they already have a version of this story in a longer format with award buzz, but also because the real life story that Run seems to be pulling from was way more batshit than almost anything that actually happens on screen. Perhaps if the twists and turns of Run were different and more their own, then this comparison might not leap to the front of my mind. 

But, ultimately, I think that’s kind of why this film is perfectly fine. It pulls, pretty directly, from a real true crime story (at least for the set up), but doesn’t quite go there. It’s only an hour and a half, but Searching wasn’t much longer in runtime and was able to do so much more. 

I think it’s pretty obvious that Chaganty and Ohanian are talented. Searching being so good, and well received, was not a fluke. Run is well-made and fun, even if it falls short of the greatness they’d already achieved. People are going to like this film, though, and I’m stoked to talk to everyone about it. Sarah Paulson does exactly what you want, and expect, in the best kind of way, and the few supporting actors really flesh out Diane and Chloe’s very small world. It’s well shot, performed and edited. In fact, Run makes me excited about their next film. Not because it’s on the same level as their debut, but because it’s a good film, even with my issues. 

Run is like getting to third base with a single hit, rather than hitting a homerun. Still pretty damn impressive. 

Run is available to watch on Hulu exclusively on November 20, here.

The Fall 2020 print issue of Moviejawn is available for pre-order here.