The twisted drama of “Side Effects” takes viewers on a dizzying ride that both electrifies and unsettles the heart.

Rooney Mara stars as Emily Taylor, a woman struggling with depression, who after a series of medication switches ends up murdering her husband Martin (played by Channing Tatum) during a sleepwalking episode. 

Dr. Jonathan Banks, her psychiatrist  (portrayed by Jude Law), is pulled into the legal drama and aftermath and finds his world subsequently crumbling around him as he is investigated and looked on with disdain for having her in his care when the murder occurred. 

The film is jolting and has a strong and engaging plot line. Twists and turns abound, and the script is well written. Writer Scott Z. Burns did an excellent job, and the execution by Steven Soderbergh is fantastic. The camera work is blurry at times, and mirrors the haze Emily Taylor finds herself in. The timing of this film is remarkable and goes at a steady pace that makes one beg to find out more exactly about what is really going on. 

Though Law’s character finds his world falling apart he keeps his composure with poise and dignity. Law succeeds as a man swept up by a tsunami of deceit, that he should have never been apart of.

Rooney Mara is delicate in her portrayal of Emily, and gives the character a cool subtlety and disarming innocence, that is both fascinating and, later in the film, chilling.

Another prominent actress in the film is Catherine Zeta Jones who plays Dr. Victoria Siebert, Emily’s former psychiatrist. Whenever Zeta-Jones appears on screen she commands the viewer’s attention, and saunters through causing both uneasiness and fascination. She gives her character a depth and mysterious gleam that is hard to shake. 

What the film also succeeds in is raising questions about the overuse and side effects of medication to deal with mental illness. Initially it would seem a commentary on what these pills are capable of doing. However, it develops into something far greater, and questions both human motive and intent.

Other issues the film brings up is reliance on medication to deal with mental health issues. Dr. Banks is given a substantial amount of money to test a new medication on his patients, one which the side effects are unclear and the long term effects are undeterminable. In the wake of the unconscious murder, people begin to question his ethics, even his own colleagues, who themselves are pill pushers, are upset because he did not forsee the murder coming. 

The plot twists are completely unpredictable. The film transitions from a social commentary to a psychological thriller and murder mystery of sorts. Characters are not who they seem, and the revelations of true character are striking and wash over the audience with force. This film does not fail to shock and is extremely interesting. Prepare to have your thoughts provoked and your world shaken from the side effects of this film.