IMDb 7 2013 HD

Side Effects

Side Effects

2013
Crime Drama Thriller
106 min R USA
6.612 / 10
7 IMDB

A woman turns to prescription medication as a way of handling her anxiety concerning her husband's upcoming release from prison.

Personnel // Cast & Crew

Director Steven Soderbergh / Gregory Jacobs / Jody Spilkoman / Eva Z. Cabrera
Starring
Rooney Mara / Jude Law / Catherine Zeta-Jones / Channing Tatum / Vinessa Shaw / Ann Dowd / Polly Draper / David Costabile

How Viewers Describe This Film

Common themes and sentiments

tense intriguing complex surprising thought-provoking unsettling stylish character-driven suspenseful manipulative dramatic

Reviews

P
Penelope Croft
Apr 22, 2026
4.0 / 5
4.0

Steven Soderbergh’s 'Side Effects' is a meticulously constructed thriller that probes the murky depths of mental health and the pharmaceutical industry. Rooney Mara is exceptional, portraying Emily’s vulnerability and growing instability with remarkable nuance. Jude Law provides a…

H
Hamish McGregor
Apr 22, 2026
3.0 / 5
3.0

While 'Side Effects' boasts an impressive cast and Soderbergh's characteristic visual flair, its intricate plot sometimes feels more convoluted than clever. Rooney Mara gives a committed performance as a woman struggling with anxiety, and Jude Law is suitably…

S
Seraphina Dubois
Apr 22, 2026
4.5 / 5
4.5

Prepare for a masterclass in suspense with 'Side Effects'. Soderbergh orchestrates a symphony of unease, beginning with the quiet desperation of Emily Taylor, brought to life by a superb Rooney Mara. Her descent into a world dictated by…

M
Marcus Bellweather
Apr 22, 2026
3.5 / 5
3.5

A slick and often intriguing psychological drama, 'Side Effects' offers a disquieting look at the power of prescription drugs. Rooney Mara is compelling as a woman whose life takes a sharp downturn after starting a new medication, with…

E
Eleanor Vance
Apr 22, 2026
4.0 / 5
4.0

Steven Soderbergh crafts a tightly wound thriller in 'Side Effects', a film that dissects the anxieties of modern life and the seductive promises of pharmaceutical solutions. Rooney Mara delivers a performance of captivating fragility and unnerving resolve as…

FAQs

The film intricately portrays the psychological impact of medication, using Emily's journey as a focal point. It explores how prescription drugs, intended to alleviate anxiety, can paradoxically lead to unforeseen and dramatic changes in behaviour and perception. The narrative raises questions about dependency, the blurring of reality, and the potential for manipulation, suggesting that the line between therapeutic intervention and detrimental side effect can be perilously thin.