First Trailer for iPhone-Shot Thriller Film 'Unsane' Released

The trailer has arrived for Steven Soderbergh’s new film. Starring Claire Foy, the thriller was shot entirely using iPhones. Review the footage here.

The film, entitled “Unsane,” is due to debut in cinemas on March 23. With Foy (previously of “The Crown”) playing the lead, it follows the story of her character who leaves town in order to escape a stalker. However, she finds herself committed to a mental institution against her will.

The plot also echoes many a current social media movement: Woman cries for help alleging a man is harassing her, only to be considered crazy and gets silenced. The plot has potential to echo the realities of what is currently happening in the film industry.

“There’s a philosophical obstacle a lot of people have about the size of the capture device. I don’t have that problem,” Soderbergh told Indiewire about the iPhone-shot project. “I look at this as potentially one of the most liberating experiences that I’ve ever had as a filmmaker, and that I continue having. The gets that I felt moment to moment were so significant that this is, to me, a new chapter.”

What do you think of the footage? Some scenes are genuinely impressive with a real cinematic feel, while in others, it seems obvious that a phone has been used. It runs the risk of potentially distracting from the suspense since it can feel like we’re watching a video on a friend’s phone. Several clips appear grainy, and not in a romantic, analogue sense. Could it just be because we’re aware of it, though? Would we be able to tell this was shot on iPhone had it not been announced first? Soderbergh seems to think not, adding: “Anybody going to see this movie who has no idea of the backstory to the production will have no idea this was shot on the phone.” Regardless, the grain and grittiness do create an aesthetic that complements the plot.

Check out the video above and judge for yourself.

Jack Alexander's picture

A 28-year-old self-taught photographer, Jack Alexander specialises in intimate portraits with musicians, actors, and models.

Log in or register to post comments
5 Comments

I'm excited about this one - the trailer looks intense, and I'm all for storytelling using whatever means are available. It may be gimmicky, but no more so than House using 5D2s for their season finale several years back. Looking forward to it!

I watched this thinking it was going to be a joke. This thing actually looks like it could be great.

It looks and sounds like it was shot on a phone.
Oh wai....

Maybe the plot has nothing to do with what is happening in Hollywood with sexual harassment... maybe you're just caught up in the current hysteria?

A helluva movie! Can't wait to see it whatever camera will be used. It reminds me of the good times when we were glued to those CRT screens watching Twin Peaks.