Is Side Effects based on a true story? Find Out Is The Movie Side Effects Is Based On A Real Story
by A Maria
Updated Mar 11, 2023
Side Effects - 2013 Film
Side Effects is a psychological thriller movie made in 2013, directed by Steven Soderbergh and written by Scott Z. Burns. The film stars Rooney Mara, Jude Law, and Catherine Zeta-Jones in lead roles, with Channing Tatum playing Mara's husband who has been released from prison. The plot revolves around the protagonist being prescribed experimental drugs by her psychiatrists following her husband's release from prison. Originally titled as "The Bitter Pill," the film was later renamed to "Side Effects." It was released in the United States on February 8, 2013, by Open Road Films, and was screened in competition at the 63rd Berlin International Film Festival.
Is Side Effects based on a true story?
The movie "Side Effects" is not based on a true story. The director, Steven Soderbergh, developed the film from a screenplay written by Scott Z. Burns, who originally intended to direct it himself. Burns compared his attempts to get the film made to the myth of Sisyphus, describing it as pushing a boulder up an endless hill. Eventually, he handed it over to Soderbergh, who directed it as his third collaboration with Burns, following "The Informant!" and "Contagion." While the movie initially explores the exploitation of people and the system by big pharma, it ultimately becomes a conventional psychological thriller with a focus on personal motives. In fact, the ending of the film even seems to vindicate a big pharmaceutical company and its antidepressant drug.
Plot of Side Effects
The film 'Side Effects' follows the story of Emily Taylor, a socialite from Bedford, New York, who attempts suicide after her husband Martin is released from prison. Her assigned psychiatrist, Jonathan Banks, tries multiple antidepressants, but none of them work. Victoria Siebert, Emily's previous psychiatrist, recommends an experimental new drug, Ablixa, which appears to help Emily but causes sleepwalking. One night, Emily stabs Martin to death while sleepwalking, and Jonathan fights for her acquittal. Emily is declared innocent on the condition that she stays in a psychiatric hospital until cleared by Jonathan. As he investigates the case, Jonathan discovers that Emily is lying and does not suffer from depression. He also learns that someone may have profited from Ablixa's fall in stock value. Emily admits to hating Martin and plotting to kill him. She had been seeing Victoria, who became her lover and co-conspirator. The women plotted to use the negative publicity surrounding Ablixa to manipulate stock prices. Victoria, caught in the plot, is arrested for conspiracy to commit murder and securities fraud. Emily cannot be charged due to double jeopardy. Jonathan prescribes her unpleasant medications, and she is sent back to the mental ward for refusing treatment. Meanwhile, Jonathan regains his family and reputation.
About Side Effects
Directed by
Steven Soderbergh
Written by
Scott Z. Burns
Produced by
Lorenzo di Bonaventura
Gregory Jacobs
Scott Z. Burns
Starring
Jude Law
Rooney Mara
Catherine Zeta-Jones
Channing Tatum
Cinematography
Steven Soderbergh
(as Peter Andrews)
Edited by
Steven Soderbergh
(as Mary Ann Bernard)
Music by
Thomas Newman
Production
companies
Endgame Entertainment
FilmNation Entertainment
Di Bonaventura Pictures
Distributed by
Open Road Films
Release date
February 8, 2013 (United States)
Running time
106 minutes
Country
United States
Language
English
Budget
$30 million
Box office
$66.7 million
Is Side Effects based on a true story - FAQs
"Side Effects" is a psychological thriller movie.
"Side Effects" was directed by Steven Soderbergh.
The screenplay for "Side Effects" was written by Scott Z. Burns.
"Side Effects" stars Rooney Mara, Jude Law, Catherine Zeta-Jones, and Channing Tatum.
The plot of "Side Effects" revolves around a woman who is prescribed experimental drugs by her psychiatrists after her husband is released from prison.