Unsane

Sawyer Valentini is involuntarily admitted to a cramped urban psychiatric facility after a frightening incident, and she begins to doubt what she remembers. She fights a system that seems more intent on control than care, while odd coincidences and whispered rumors echo through the ward. The hospital's sterile corridors feel like a pressure chamber as she tries to identify who she can trust and what is real. With her fear intensifying, she confronts a threat that refuses to stay in the shadows, forcing her to rely on wit and nerve rather than anyone else. The movie keeps the tension tight and relentlessly anxious. The film uses a lean, real time feel that heightens realism and keeps the audience on edge.

Released in 2018, directed by Steven Soderbergh, Unsane is based on an original screenplay by James Greer and Jonathan Bernstein and represents a lean, inventive thriller from a renowned filmmaker. The production kept things tight with few locations and schedules.

Worldwide box office reached about 14.29 million dollars against a modest 1.5 million budget, signaling strong performance for a tight genre thriller. Its earnings reflect solid audience appeal without a large advertising push. That success came from word of mouth.

Unsane is frequently cited for its production trick of shooting entirely on an iPhone 7 Plus, a move that inspired discussions about mobile filmmaking. The handheld, intimate look amplifies the sense of confinement and paranoia that drives the story. Its success encouraged other filmmakers to experiment with phone-based cameras worldwide.

Critics praised Claire Foys performance, Steven Soderberghs restrained direction, and the film's tight, anxiety driven pace. The story probes autonomy, the power of institutions, and the fragility of perceived reality, delivering a chilling look at fear, control, and identity. Critics also note its lean runtime and restraint, avoiding jump scares.