Side Effects (2013 film)
| Company type | Film |
|---|---|
| Industry | Film industry |
| Founded | 2013 |
| Founder | Steven Soderbergh, Scott Z. Burns |
| Products | Crime thriller film |
| Parent | Open Road Films (distributor) |
Side Effects is a 2013 American crime thriller helmed by director Steven Soderbergh and penned by Scott Z. Burns. The narrative features Rooney Mara portraying a woman who, following her husband's (Channing Tatum) release from prison, is prescribed experimental medications by psychiatrists (Jude Law and Catherine Zeta-Jones).
The film premiered in the United States on February 8, 2013, under the distribution of Open Road Films. It was met with favorable critiques and earned $66 million globally against a production budget of $30 million.
Plot
Following her spouse Martin's completion of a four-year incarceration for insider trading, Bedford socialite Emily Taylor attempts suicide by crashing her vehicle. Psychiatrist Jonathan Banks initiates treatment with various antidepressants, which prove ineffective. Consulting Emily's former psychiatrist, Victoria Siebert, leads to the recommendation of an experimental medication called Ablixa. While Ablixa alleviates Emily’s symptoms, it triggers episodes of sleepwalking.
During one such episode, Emily unintentionally kills Martin by stabbing him. Jonathan serves as her defense attorney; she pleads not guilty due to insanity and is subsequently committed to a psychiatric facility. The trial damages Jonathan’s professional reputation, resulting in his dismissal from practice and financial hardship.
Jonathan discovers that Emily's depression was feigned and suspects a scheme involving stock manipulation linked to Ablixa. Employing a counterfeit truth serum confirms her deceit. When Jonathan confronts Victoria, she retaliates by sending compromising images to his wife, causing personal distress.
Jonathan reveals the conspiracy: Emily and Victoria, who are romantically involved, orchestrated Martin’s murder to benefit from a decline in Ablixa’s stock value. Jonathan negotiates Emily’s release in return for a portion of the illicit gains. Equipped with a wire, Emily assists in apprehending Victoria, who faces charges of conspiracy and securities fraud. Due to double jeopardy protections, Emily cannot be prosecuted again for the murder.
In retaliation, Jonathan prescribes Emily high doses of medication with severe adverse effects. She rejects the treatment and is readmitted to the psychiatric ward. Meanwhile, Jonathan restores his family life and rebuilds his career. The story concludes with Emily confined once more in a secure mental health institution in Brooklyn.
Production
Initially titled The Bitter Pill, Side Effects was directed by Steven Soderbergh and produced by Lorenzo di Bonaventura, Gregory Jacobs, along with Scott Z. Burns, who also co-wrote the script. Annapurna Pictures was originally attached to produce early in 2012 but later withdrew; Endgame Entertainment subsequently took over financing. Blake Lively was first cast for the lead role but was replaced by Rooney Mara. By March 2012, Vinessa Shaw joined the ensemble as Jude Law's character's wife.
Filming
Principal photography commenced on April 5, 2012, in New York City. Initial production stills were released on April 10, 2012.
Music
The musical score for Side Effects was composed and produced by Thomas Newman. The soundtrack became available on March 3, 2013, through Varèse Sarabande.
Release
Originally named The Bitter Pill, the movie was purchased by Open Road Films in January 2012 and subsequently renamed Side Effects. Its initial trailer was released in November 2012. The film was part of the competition lineup at the 63rd Berlin International Film Festival.
Side Effects premiered across the United States on February 8, 2013, opening at third place with $9.3 million in earnings, following Identity Thief ($34.6 million) and Warm Bodies ($11.4 million). The film accumulated $32.2 million domestically and $31.2 million internationally, reaching a global total of $63.4 million.
Reception
On Rotten Tomatoes, Side Effects holds an approval rating of 83% based on 223 critic reviews, with an average rating of 7.3 out of 10. According to Metacritic, it has a score of 75 out of 100 from 40 critics, reflecting generally favorable feedback. Audience surveys by CinemaScore assigned the film a "B" grade.
Reviewers commended the movie’s intelligent thriller aspects and Steven Soderbergh’s direction. Kirk Honeycutt referred to it as a "post-modern Hitchcock thriller" featuring an "incredible" narrative. Richard Corliss from Time praised its tight pacing and sharp screenplay, drawing parallels to classics such as Spellbound and works by Brian De Palma.
In the United Kingdom, Peter Bradshaw of The Guardian gave the film five stars, describing it as a captivating psychological thriller focused on pharmaceutical industry issues and mental health, with a standout lead performance by Rooney Mara. Scott Tobias of The A.V. Club lauded Mara’s portrayal and Soderbergh’s refined direction. The Daily Telegraph's Robbie Collin also awarded five stars, noting influences from Hitchcock and Henri-Georges Clouzot’s Les Diaboliques. Peter Travers from Rolling Stone applauded the acting, screenplay, and direction for delivering suspense enriched with psychological complexity centered on psychotropic drugs.
Accolades
| Award | Category | Recipient | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Berlin International Film Festival | Golden Berlin Bear | Steven Soderbergh | Template:Nom |
| International Online Cinema Awards | Best Original Screenplay | Scott Z. Burns | Template:Nom |
| Best Actress | Rooney Mara | Template:Nom | |
| World Soundtrack Academy Award | Film Composer of the Year | Thomas Newman | Template:Nom |