Unmoored Film Review: Captivating Thriller

Unmoored is a slow burn psychological thriller. Despite some tonal inconsistency, the film is a moving exploration of abuse, power, and truth.

Trigger warning: Unmoored contains themes of rape and domestic abuse.

Based on Håkan Nesse’s novel “Living and Dead in Winsford” (“Levande och döda i Winsford”), this psychological thriller has profound musings on self-determination, truth, and power.

Turestedt delivers a captivating and moving performance which is at times subtle, and at others flamboyant. Key to her performance is her gaze. In the first act, Maria’s suspicion regarding the accusations against Magnus and the serenity of her friends’ lives is displayed through micro-expressions. Slight eye twitches and slow blinks hint that though she is reserved, she’s not naive. These micro-expressions are seminal throughout the film; as the story takes a darker turn, they become considerably more entrancing and poignant.

A prominent theme throughout Unmoored is heartbreaking, though the film handles it well. (The rest of this paragraph contains spoilers.) Maria encounters people who have experienced abuse and rape. She embodies compassion and empathy, beckoning them to safety, security, and healing. Though it’s not clear whether she experienced these things personally, her story indicates that she cares deeply about them due to the accusations against Magnus. Again, Maria’s care is portrayed through subtle expressions and a peaceful demeanor. Power dynamics and the inequities of a world run by men are themes almost more haunting than Maria’s increased paranoia about her own well-being.

Maria’s sense of distance from her husband and friends, as well as her growing cognitive dissonance, are shown through excellently framed shots utilizing reflections. Studying her husband through a mirror in their living room, frantically checking her rearview mirror while driving, and, eventually, staring at her own disheveled frame in the bathroom are just a few examples of how cinematographer Michał Dymek (A Real Pain) captured the unease haunting Unmoored’s main character. The rest of the film is shot beautifully as well, particularly those scenes which capture the rural landscapes of England and Poland.

Unmoored is primarily a psychological thriller, but its second and third acts evolve into a crime thriller, with elements similar to Ripley and Anatomy of a Fall. This tonal shift is a bit jarring; what starts as a deep foray into Maria’s psyche becomes a chronicle of her involvement in suspicious events. It leads to plot holes as the film progresses, but the movie still ends on a strong note, tying together its difficult themes with intense drama and mystery. Despite its tonal confusion, Unmoored uses strong writing elements, including excellent foreshadowing, to make its final scene a striking and satisfying conclusion.

This is a deep character study of one woman’s life, following her as she fractures and tries to maintain her own autonomy. Unmoored is a slow burn, but eventually its blaze is enthralling. Its inconsistency in tone only inhibits it so much, and overall the film is a moving and thrilling exploration of abuse, power, and truth.

Unmoored will be released in select UK cinemas on 15 August, 2025.