Side Effects

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2:18

Side Effects

R

Released Feb 8, 2013

1h 45m

Drama

Mystery & Thriller

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

82%

Tomatometer

224 Reviews

70%

Popcornmeter

50,000+ Ratings

For four years, Emily Taylor (Rooney Mara) has awaited the release of her husband, Martin (Channing Tatum), from being imprisoned for insider trading. Finally, Martin comes home, but Emily feels just as bad as she did when he was incarcerated, and she sinks into a deep depression. After her failed suicide attempt, psychiatrist Jonathan Banks (Jude Law) prescribes a series of medications. When those don't work, he gives Emily a new medication -- but the drug leads to ruined lives and death.

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Critics Consensus

A smart, clever thriller with plenty of disquieting twists, Side Effects is yet another assured effort from director Steven Soderbergh.

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Wendy Ide

The Times (UK)

Steven Soderbergh has crafted a meticulously treacherous Hitchcockian thriller; the atmosphere crackles with sexual tension and betrayal.

Mar 22, 2023

Full Review

Inkoo Kang

Bitch Media

Dr. Banks' battle against evil lesbian scheme-hatchery sculpts him into a perfect husband, father, and doctor. It's surprising there isn't an epilogue to the film of him undergoing yet another transformation-this time into a saint, or maybe Superman.

Jan 14, 2021

Full Review

J. Hoberman

ARTINFO.com

Side Effects showcases much of what the just 50-year-old filmmaker does best.

Feb 22, 2019

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Noah Berlatsky

Everything is Horrible (Substack)

Side Effects, like Psycho before it, is a carefully wrought engine of hate.

May 29, 2025

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JD Duran

InSession Film

Mara and Law are terrific in this film. Mara does a great job of drawing you into the character and making you feel her pain, while at the same time, you’re trying to understand her and what is going on with the story.

Rated: B+

Aug 23, 2024

Full Review

Patrick Cavanaugh

The Wolfman Cometh

A sexy, surprising, and straightforward psychological thriller that leads to a fulfilling payoff.

Rated: 4/5

Sep 22, 2023

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THE NASHVILLE I

One of those rare gems with an insatiable sense of suspense and a wildly clever script that was overlooked, purely due to the studio's unwillingness to spend money on PR. A brilliant movie about unexpected mystery with an unpredictable, yet wholly believable series of moves and twists from it's cast. People don't realize Soderbergh was one of the world' best from 1997-2011, and Side Effects is one of his top-4 films of all time.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

06/10/25

Full Review

Stephen L

Side Effects is a captivating thriller that masterfully intertwines timely themes with an intricate plot. Steven Soderbergh delivers a film that's both exhilarating and thought-provoking, keeping audiences on the edge of their seats. The all-star cast shines, with Rooney Mara and Catherine Zeta-Jones delivering stellar performances. Channing Tatum and Jude Law also excel in their roles, adding depth to the complex narrative. The film's exploration of the darker aspects of psychology and its intersection with the business world raises compelling questions. Side Effects is a must-see that didn't receive the recognition it deserved during its award season.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/22/25

Full Review

Martin S

I bet the drug companies loved this film for it exonerates them of responsibility for the adverse side effects of their psychoactive drugs and implies the side effects are malicious acts of individuals for evil intent. I bet Psychiatrists hate this film, for it implies they are gullible fools to be conned by anyone however young. The acting is not convincing. Maybe because they actors are required to tell a lie, to deny the very real adverse side effects of psychoactive drugs. The film seems to run out of time. The end telling you rather than showing and engaging you which makes the ending feel false.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

02/23/25

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w Scott c

Some twists and turns with great acting.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

08/09/24

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Josh B

Tedious dross. Neither the story or the characters are credible. The context and the driving ideas rarely meet. An audio visual sedative prescribed for those who find it hard to wait for silly reveals.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

06/15/24

Full Review

Melissa L

This was a great movie, but the ending wasn't what I wanted.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

05/06/24

Full Review

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Steven Soderbergh

Director

Jude Law

Dr. Jonathan Banks

Rooney Mara

Emily Taylor

Channing Tatum

Martin Taylor

Catherine Zeta-Jones

Dr. Victoria Siebert

Vinessa Shaw

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Video Interviews with the Cast of Side Effects: Jude Law, Channing Tatum, Rooney Mara, and more

Critics Consensus: Side Effects is Certified Fresh

Side Effects: Trailer 3

2:18

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Synopsis

For four years, Emily Taylor (Rooney Mara) has awaited the release of her husband, Martin (Channing Tatum), from being imprisoned for insider trading. Finally, Martin comes home, but Emily feels just as bad as she did when he was incarcerated, and she sinks into a deep depression. After her failed suicide attempt, psychiatrist Jonathan Banks (Jude Law) prescribes a series of medications. When those don't work, he gives Emily a new medication -- but the drug leads to ruined lives and death.

Director: Steven Soderbergh
Producer: Lorenzo di Bonaventura, Gregory Jacobs, Scott Z. Burns
Screenwriter: Scott Z. Burns
Distributor: Open Road
Production Co: Endgame Entertainment, FilmNation Entertainment, Di Bonaventura Pictures
Rating: R (Nudity|Language|Sexuality|Violence)
Genre: Drama, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Feb 8, 2013, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 9, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA): $32.2M
Runtime: 1h 45m

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