Run (2020) – A Mother’s Love… or a Life Sentence?

She raised her. She loved her. She lied to her

Run (2020), directed by Aneesh Chaganty, is a tight, suspenseful thriller that explores the terrifying line between care and control. What begins as a story of an overprotective mother and her chronically ill daughter quickly unravels into something much darker—a psychological prison wrapped in maternal devotion.

At the center is Chloe (played by Kiera Allen in a breakout role), a smart and curious teenager who has lived her whole life in a wheelchair, homeschooled and cared for by her mother, Diane (Sarah Paulson). Diane seems like the perfect parent—devoted, nurturing, always there. But as Chloe begins to suspect that something isn’t right with her medications and the stories she’s been told, a terrifying truth starts to surface.

The brilliance of Run lies in how it transforms a quiet home into a labyrinth of dread. The film doesn’t rely on elaborate set pieces or gore—instead, it builds claustrophobia from the inside out. Every locked door, every missing label, every forced smile from Diane becomes a new piece in a puzzle Chloe must solve to escape a life she thought was built on love.

Sarah Paulson’s performance is chilling in its restraint. She doesn’t play Diane as a classic villain—she plays her as a mother who believes, with disturbing sincerity, that she’s doing the right thing. Her calm voice and patient eyes hide a woman who will do anything to keep her daughter dependent on her. And Kiera Allen, portraying Chloe with fierce intelligence and raw determination, brings a rare authenticity to the role—not just because she’s a real-life wheelchair user, but because she makes every moment of resistance feel earned.

Run taps into a real psychological condition known as Munchausen syndrome by proxy, where a caregiver fabricates or causes illness in someone else to gain attention or control. But it’s not just a film about illness—it’s about freedom. About a young woman who refuses to be defined by her disability or her circumstances. About finding strength in places no one expects.

Fast-paced, tightly written, and anchored by two unforgettable performances, Run is a masterclass in tension—and a reminder that sometimes the most dangerous place is the one that feels safest.