Lately, I’ve been gravitating towards films that make you question your sanity a little bit and Unhinged certainly fits that mold. This movie isn’t your typical thriller. Instead, it’s an adrenaline-fueled nightmare that taps into the fear of encountering someone having the worst day of their life and making it everyone else’s problem.
I'm sorry but I have to do a little spoiler
Directed by Derrick Borte, the story follows Rachel (Caren Pistorius), a single mother going through a rough patch. She’s late to drop off her son at school, stuck in traffic, and her day isn’t getting any better. Then, in an attempt to make up for lost time, she honks at a truck that’s blocking her way at an intersection. Unfortunately for Rachel, that truck belongs to Tom Cooper (Russell Crowe), a man who’s already on the edge and snaps after her impatient honk.
Tom isn’t just mad, he’s unhinged. What starts as a simple road rage incident quickly spirals into a full blown nightmare, with Tom vowing to teach Rachel a lesson for honking disrespectfully at him. He steals her phone, hacks it and stalks her relentlessly, targeting her loved ones and leaving a trail of violence wherever he goes. crazy The film from thence, becomes a tense, cat and mouse game as Rachel tries to survive Tom’s increasingly terrifying attacks while protecting her son.
My Thoughts?
I’ll be honest, this film left me both entertained and uneasy. Russell Crowe’s portrayal of Tom is chilling. I had goosebumps spread all over my skin the whole time. He’s not just your average villain, he’s every driver’s worst fear on the road. I think Crowe absolutely disappears into the role, with his hulking presence and dead-eyed stare making him a menacing antagonist. His performance alone is enough to keep you glued to the screen, even as the plot gets more and more outrageous.
What I loved so much about Unhinged is that it taps into a very relatable fear. We’ve all been in situations where tensions rise on the road and drivers chase each other just to have a verbal exchange, but this film takes that concept and cranks it up to 100. The way the film plays out feels like a slow motion train wreck. You know things are going to get worse, but you can’t just look away.
I absolutely loved the film's pacing. It's relentless. From the moment Tom and Rachel’s fateful encounter happens, there’s barely any time to breathe. It almost felt like I was watching fast and furious but in a more dramatic and horrifying way. The tension just keeps building and the action sequences are surprisingly brutal. There’s a raw, unpredictable energy to the film that kept me on edge the whole time.
The only critique there is about this film is that the plot is pretty thin. Once you strip away the layers of road rage and violence, you realize there’s not a whole lot of substance. Tom’s motivations are barely explored beyond the fact that he’s having a very, very bad day. I mean, sure, the guy is unhinged, but the film doesn’t really give us much insight into his backstory or why he’s so broken. I made guesses but I needed to be sure.
And I have to say, some of the scenes really push the boundaries of believability. There are moments where Rachel makes decisions that had me shouting at the screen, “Why would you do that?!” I was so mad when she left her phone in the car and went out to do groceries. The script is just filled with these frustrating moments where characters seem to lose all common sense.
But to be fair, I think that’s part of the fun of Unhinged. It’s over-the-top, ridiculous, and leans into its own absurdity. You’re not supposed to analyze it too deeply anyway. It’s meant to be a high-octane, edge-of-your-seat thriller that keeps you entertained for 90 minutes.
All in all, this is one of those films that you watch with a bowl of popcorn, even though you won't get to consume half of it because of the film's wild ride. It’s intense, it’s violent and it’s definitely not for the faint of heart.
Russell Crowe’s performance alone makes it worth watching, but don’t expect too much in terms of plot depth or character development. It’s a straightforward, adrenaline-pumping thriller that plays on our everyday fears in the most extreme way possible.
Rating: 3.5/5
PS : leave your expectations for realism at the door.