Unhinged (2020)
Genre: Action / Thriller
Directed by: Derrick Borte
Unhinged (2020) is a tense, pulse-pounding thriller that puts the audience on the edge of their seat from start to finish. Directed by Derrick Borte, this film takes a simple premise—a road rage incident—and escalates it into a dangerous cat-and-mouse game between an ordinary woman and a man spiraling into uncontrollable violence.
The film follows Rachel (Caren Pistorius), a single mother on her way to drop off her son. After a brief encounter with a stranger (Russell Crowe) at a traffic light, she unknowingly sets off a chain of events that will turn her life into a nightmare. The stranger, whom she later learns is a man on the edge, becomes unhinged and targets her with an escalating series of violent acts, intending to make her pay for a simple, yet seemingly unforgivable, mistake—honking at him in traffic.
Russell Crowe gives an intense, terrifying performance as the unnamed antagonist, a man whose personal troubles have manifested into unchecked rage. He plays the role of the villain with chilling precision, making the viewer feel his fury through every scene. His portrayal is a stark departure from his usual more nuanced characters, showcasing a different side of his acting range as he becomes a relentless, vengeful force.
Caren Pistorius is a worthy counterpart, bringing a grounded, sympathetic quality to Rachel. She’s an everywoman thrown into an extraordinary situation, and Pistorius plays her with a mix of vulnerability and resolve, showing how far a mother will go to protect her child. The tension between these two characters is what drives the film, as Rachel tries desperately to escape a seemingly unstoppable man who is more than willing to stop at nothing to make her suffer.
The direction by Borte is straightforward but effective. The film doesn’t overcomplicate things with unnecessary subplots; instead, it focuses squarely on the cat-and-mouse chase, creating a mounting sense of dread and urgency. The pacing is relentless, with each scene raising the stakes as Rachel’s world crumbles around her. The cinematography is suitably gritty, enhancing the raw, real-world terror that Rachel faces. The film’s sound design also contributes to the rising tension, particularly in the intense, high-speed chase sequences.
While Unhinged doesn’t break new ground in terms of its premise or themes—road rage and a villain on a destructive rampage—it succeeds by delivering thrills, suspense, and psychological tension. It’s an edge-of-your-seat ride that’s both terrifying and captivating, making it a guilty pleasure for fans of thrillers who enjoy a fast-paced, high-stakes narrative.
Though it may be predictable at times, Unhinged is a solid, no-frills thriller that does exactly what it sets out to do—keep the audience tense, anxious, and fully engaged until the very end. It’s a great pick for those looking for a no-holds-barred action film that thrives on adrenaline and the raw intensity of its performances.
