Sometimes, the person who saves you is the one who needed saving too
Unseen (2023) is a taut, pulse-pounding thriller that transforms the simple act of a phone call into a life-saving connection between two women from vastly different worlds. Directed by Yoko Okumura, the film taps into the primal fear of being hunted and the unexpected strength that can arise when strangers become each other's last hope.
The story follows Emily (Midori Francis), a visually impaired woman who finds herself kidnapped and dragged into a desolate forest by her violent ex-boyfriend. Disoriented and injured, Emily has no one to turn to—until she randomly dials a number and reaches Sam (Jolene Purdy), a depressed gas station clerk who's ready to give up on her own life. What begins as a freak accident turns into a lifeline, as Sam becomes Emily’s eyes, guiding her through the treacherous woods using a glitchy video call.
The film’s core tension doesn’t rely solely on the physical threat Emily faces, but also on the emotional barriers both women must overcome. Sam is initially reluctant and self-doubting, unsure of her ability to help anyone, much less a stranger in mortal danger. But as the chase intensifies, so does Sam’s resolve. The connection between the two women becomes the emotional heartbeat of the film—two lives, both on the edge, intertwined by fate and fueled by growing trust.
Director Yoko Okumura uses tight shots, limited perspectives, and a gritty atmosphere to keep viewers on edge. The use of smartphone technology as a survival tool is timely and clever, turning something mundane into a lifeline under pressure. The suspense is relentless, and the pacing brisk, giving the film an urgent, breathless energy that keeps audiences invested from the first call to the final confrontation.
What makes Unseen truly compelling isn’t just its survival storyline—it’s the emotional redemption. Both Emily and Sam begin as victims of their own personal traumas. But through shared fear, courage, and a fragile digital connection, they grow stronger together. By the end, the story is less about being hunted and more about being seen—for who you are, what you’re worth, and the strength you didn’t know you had.