Review: Unseen (2023)
Genre: Thriller / Horror
Unseen is a tense and cleverly executed survival thriller that takes a simple premise and turns it into a heart-pounding experience. Directed by Yoko Okumura, the film explores the terrifying fragility of human connection under extreme circumstances—and how even a stranger’s voice can become a lifeline.
The story follows Emily (Midori Francis), a woman who has been kidnapped and wakes up in a remote forest. She’s injured, disoriented, and her glasses have been destroyed—leaving her virtually blind in an unfamiliar and dangerous environment. Desperate, she manages to call Sam (Jolene Purdy), a clerk at a gas station miles away. Sam becomes her only hope of survival, guiding her through the phone using what little she can see via a glitchy video call.
The tension builds quickly as Emily navigates obstacles, injuries, and the ever-present threat of her captor returning. What sets Unseen apart from other survival horror films is the emotional connection that forms between the two women. Midori Francis gives a raw, urgent performance, and Jolene Purdy provides heart and grounding to the story with her empathy and determination.
Despite being visually minimal in some aspects, the film uses sound, limited perspective, and pacing to keep viewers on edge. The concept is small-scale but executed with precision, making the viewer feel just as vulnerable as the protagonist.
Unseen is a reminder that heroism can come from the unlikeliest places—and sometimes, a voice on the other end of the line can be the most powerful thing in the world.
Did this nail-biter keep you holding your breath too? Let us know how you felt about the bond between Emily and Sam
