Side EffectsMovie Reviews


  • Go Based on 8,186 reviews
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    Written February 8, 2013

    Bipolar Puts it Best

    by MedRed

    Side Effects has two very distinct halves.

    The first part of the movie is slow, meticulous, and intelligent. From someone in the industry, it paints a very realistic picture of depression symptoms and the network surrounding treating patients. The camera work does an excellent job of relaying the state of the characters such as the use of blur to show a drug induced fog or fuzziness around the edges to highlight a lack of clarity from sleep deprivation.

    The second half is not as polished as the first. As the pace picks up, the attention to detail relaxes. The audience is either made aware of plot points with a bull horn, or it is left to make mental jumps over ever widening chasms. The movie didn't balance in enough of the business aspect it alludes to to solidify the story. There is also an element that doesn't further the plot and only succeeds in making the story awkward. All in all, it's worth a watch...maybe two.

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    • 76 out of 118 found this review helpful.
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    Written February 8, 2013

    Smart.

    by mlr1012

    Great film. Keeps you guessing. I gasped, along with the rest of the audience, several times. Mara, Law, and Zeta-Jones were phenomenal. If you do nothing else this weekend, go see Side Effects.

    • 49 out of 80 found this review helpful.
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    Written February 11, 2013

    It will keep you guessing!

    by sjwalsh97

    We went to this movie for a date night...my husband picked it. I didn't know a lot about it, which was probably good. It was very interesting with lots of twists and turns, which I like. This is a movie that will stay with you after you leave. Slightly disturbing, slightly uneasy, slightly wondering if you really know and understand the whole story.

    • 46 out of 75 found this review helpful.
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    Written February 10, 2013

    Like a Good Episode of SVU

    by DCSoBe2NYC

    Enjoyed this movie. It's nothing spectacular, but it had enough twists and turns to keep it interesting. Don't go in with high expectations and you'll probably get a kick out of it.

    • 31 out of 50 found this review helpful.
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  • Must Go!
    Written February 11, 2013

    Say it ain't so! (derbergh)

    by scotticusmaximus929

    To explain that cumbersome title, Soderbergh has said that "Side Effects" will be his last feature film. I hope he's just a little burnt out and needs a break, because this is excellent filmmaking. This is one of those movies I wish I had been completely in the dark on before seeing. However, one craptastic review I read spoiled a major plot point for me, but luckily that happens relatively early in the movie, so I still had the chance to be thrilled by the rest of this great story that brings the works of Hitchcock to mind. Soderbergh's direction and editing are as crisp ever, and the score by Thomas Newman is truly haunting and unnerving in a fantastic way. The performances are all fine, but Rooney Mara is the stellar standout. This girl is going to be a huge star; she has a truly captivating quality that leaves your eyes paralyzed on her whenever she's in frame. If you like real movies that are constantly changing and shifting and feel ALIVE, this one's for you

    • 37 out of 62 found this review helpful.
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  • Must Go!
    Written February 10, 2013

    Keeps you guessing

    by Sikksnow

    This was a well made movie with a strong storyline. The entire cast did a fantastic job, and should all be up for awards. Rooney Mara does not disappoint and the dynamic created with the cast was meticulously created. The start of the movie was a bit slow, but there is a lot of story that needs to unfold. The ending was great! Big 2 thumbs up, easily a 9 out of 10.

    • 38 out of 66 found this review helpful.
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    Written February 24, 2013

    SIDE EFFECTS WORTH THE PRICE OF ADMISSION

    by judge256

    If you are a fan of Alfred Hitchcock you will appreciate this film. Not a dull moment. The story was convincing and believable. While I can usually figure out films like these pretty quickly, this one took some time to unfold as the characters and plot developed. This is not a film for folks expecting to sit back and watch things blow up, but if you are interested in being engaged with the characters and the storyline, go.

    • 17 out of 25 found this review helpful.
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  • Oh No!
    Written February 9, 2013

    Two BIG thumbs down....

    by mggoodman

    I was really looking forward to seeing this movie and I was anticipating a storyline pertaining to...well...SIDE EFFECTS. I was utterly disappointed. While I loved Jude Law's character simply because he was the only redeeming part of the movie...the rest were lackluster at best. The movie was set up under the premise of side effects and ultimately they referred to one side effect (sleep-walking) and used a brief tidbit of discussion to justify murder. Last tidbit, Catherine Zeta Zones has always been one of the classier ladies in Hollywood. This time she compromised being the classy lady and the result was not some steamy scene, but honestly it was just tacky. No thank you!

    • 41 out of 73 found this review helpful.
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    Written February 9, 2013

    Smart, Suspenseful, Thoroughly Entertaining.

    by Alon Patterson

    This film builds slowly, at first leading the audience to question its point, in addition to its plot. Turns out, that is the point, precisely. Skillfully, methodically, the writer steadily brings focus to what becomes one of the smartest plays on screen for some time. While this movie may not appeal to those with short attention spans or ones who must have constant stimulation, the rest should be pleasantly entertained. Adults only of course. This screenplay is absolutely masterful and well worth experiencing. Both Zeta-Jones and Mara execute their roles with precision and near perfection. Jude Law provides a balanced believability to this plot as well. The one deficit, if it can be called that, is that Tatum wasn?t given enough with which to work. However, with each new film he grows as an actor. It seems at long last he learning his chops. At the current rate, his will be a commanding presence on the screen during middle age. See this film. You won?t be disappointed.

    • 10 out of 12 found this review helpful.
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    Written February 9, 2013

    Slow start, strong finish

    by mikefromakron

    Fascinating story. Excellent acting. A movie with multiple twists and turns that is worth seeing. The beginning is a relatively long set up of one of the main characters, it takes some time to develop but once you begin to understand the depth of the story the pieces start to come together. Main characters are well acted by Rooney Mara and Jude Law. Not for children!

    • 33 out of 58 found this review helpful.
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  • Must Go!
    Written February 10, 2013

    A truly intelligent movie!

    by drcycle

    Rich in complex layers, twists and turns that require your full attention, which is a pleasure to do. Many issues are accurately revealed: depression, loyalty, pharmaceutical sales reps, consultant fees, greed, avarice, sociopaths, blind sexual love, self-preservation, and ultimate redemption. The nuances of this film cannot be fully anticipated. Rooney Mara, Channing Tatum, Jude Law, Catherine Zeta-Jones are all excellent! A standout?an intelligent movie that challenge your innate thoughts and emotions. The only weakness was the wife of Jude Law. She portrayed a wife that would easily dump her supposed love. A woman that cares only for herself and lacking loyalty to her man. Do such people exists, of course. But why would Law come back? Very minor complaint, overall a fabulous experience!

    • 10 out of 12 found this review helpful.
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  • Oh No!
    Written February 12, 2013

    Terrible save your $$

    by enigma2924

    This movie was so boring I almost feel asleep. I thought they were spiking my soda with Anti -Depressant because I was in such a stopper from boredom. Catherine Zeta-Jones is the worst ******* ever, she was so unbelievable. It was like watching a virgin portraying a hooker.

    • 30 out of 53 found this review helpful.
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  • Oh No!
    Written February 11, 2013

    Side Effects- do not waste your money

    by Fawn movie fan

    This movie is simply awful! You see Rooney Mara's hangdog look for practically the entire movie and it's unbearable. Painful people painful. I wish I was warned before throwing money away for this piece of crap.

    • 32 out of 57 found this review helpful.
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  • Oh No!
    Written February 10, 2013

    Side Effects

    by I see lots of movies

    Most of this movie was boring and depressing. We almost left it was so bad. The ending was good, but DEFINITELY NOT worth the torture of sitting through the rest of the film. WASTE OF AN EVENING!!!

    • 34 out of 61 found this review helpful.
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  • Oh No!
    Written February 9, 2013

    Side Effects

    by gwenfrye

    I read prior reviews and was excited about this movie. What a boring movie!! I really did not care what happened to any of the characters. The twists did not do it for me. I go to the movies quite alot and this one was not worth seeing.

    • 41 out of 75 found this review helpful.
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Tweets About Side Effects

86% positive
Join the conversation

jackrmd215 Just watched the movie side effects it was surprisingly good

6 days ago.

cucu4hallepuffs The movie side effects was >>>

7 days ago.

KlMHIMCHAN side effects was so good jude law have my child please

7 days ago.

Southern_pp Can cross side effects off my summer movie list, it does have Channing tatum in it but it was a weird movie

7 days ago.

courtneygoats Side effects was such a good movie

7 days ago.

Side Effects Featured Trailers + Video Clips

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Exclusive Features

Cast Interviews Exclusive Cast Interviews Channing Tatum and Rooney Mara talk about the twists in the film, Jude Law on playing a victim and Vinessa Shaw on her character's role being flipped upside down.