- Genre: Psychological thriller / medical noir
- Stars: Rooney Mara, Jude Law, Channing Tatum, Catherine Zeta-Jones
- The Vibe: "Gone Girl" meets "Contagion" in a sterile doctor’s office.
- Perfect For: A rainy night when you want a puzzle-box mystery with a shocking ending.
- Where to Watch: Streaming now on Prime Video
Steven Soderbergh’s name has been circulating lately with the anticipated spring release of his black comedy, "The Christophers." Boasting a powerhouse cast including Michaela Coel, Ian McKellen, Jessica Gunning, and James Corden, the film follows the children of a once-famous artist who hire a forger to finish their late father's work in a desperate bid for a payday.
While a new Soderbergh project is always cause for celebration, I’ve always been most drawn to his thrillers. His 2013 film "Side Effects" is one of those features that has lingered in my mind for years, and it has finally made its way to Prime Video.
Starring Channing Tatum, Rooney Mara, Jude Law, and Catherine Zeta-Jones, the story centers on a woman who commits a horrific crime while under the influence of experimental prescription medication. If you’re looking for a psychological thriller that actually keeps you guessing, this is it.
Plot: What is 'Side Effects' about?
The film opens with a haunting, blood-streaked crime scene, though the "who" and the "how" remain a mystery. We quickly jump back three months to find Emily (Rooney Mara) awaiting the prison release of her husband, Martin (Channing Tatum). While Martin is obsessed with reclaiming their former life of luxury, a sharp close-up of Emily reveals the cracks in the facade. Her hollow response — "OK, baby" — suggests that for her, things are far from fine.
The tension snaps when Emily deliberately drives her car into a concrete parking garage wall. This "accident" leads her to Dr. Jonathan Banks (Jude Law), an ambitious psychiatrist who begins treating her depression with a new experimental drug. As Banks consults with Emily’s former therapist (Catherine Zeta-Jones) to understand her history, the film takes a violent, unexpected turn.
Emily stabs her husband to death, appearing completely disconnected from reality in a trance-like state. As the doctors and lawyers debate whether the medication is to blame, it becomes chillingly clear that Martin wasn't the only con artist in the room.
Why you should stream 'Side Effects'
"Side Effects" is one of those movies where you’ll want to watch it again. I love watching films that challenge me to figure out what happened, and then rewatching them to see what I might have missed.
Rooney Mara does a phenomenal job playing a woman clearly under duress, but with her own secrets to hide. It’s hard to truly blame her for all that has happened, which shows how strong she plays her character. Jude Law does well playing a compassionate, overconfident psychiatrist (not quite so far off from the character he played in "Contagion").
While the second half of the film features an abrupt shift in pace that completely alters the tone, the pivot is handled with such precision that it only adds to the enjoyment. You don't just watch "Side Effects," you try to survive it.
Stream "Side Effects" on Prime Video
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