Watch Asylum Days
- R
- 2001
- 1 hr 40 min
-
3.5 (161)
Asylum Days is a psychological thriller from 2001, directed by Thomas Elliott. The film revolves around a group of patients in a psychiatric hospital, who are fighting their mental health issues and trying to overcome their inner demons. The movie begins with a young man named Shawn (Charlie Weirauch) being admitted to the mental hospital against his will. He is suffering from severe anxiety and is haunted by a traumatic event from his past that he can't remember. Later, he meets another patient named Loren (C. Thomas Howell), who is diagnosed with schizophrenia. Loren seems to be a benevolent character, who is always willing to help others in the hospital.
Other patients in the hospital include Valerie (Raymond T. Williams), who has multiple personality disorder and constantly switches between characters. Then there is Marcia (Sarah Lilly), who is suffering from severe depression and has lost the will to live. There is also a paranoid patient named Smithy (Jason Widener), who is convinced that the hospital staff is conspiring against the patients.
As the story progresses, we see that the hospital staff is negligent towards the patients and their health. The doctors are portrayed as cold and uncaring, and the nurses are depicted as cruel and sadistic. The patients are being subjected to horrific treatments, like electric shock therapy, and are given medications that make them zombie-like.
The film explores the mental health issues of the patients, along with the darker side of psychiatric hospitals. The patients are constantly struggling to keep their sanity, while the hospital staff seems to be doing everything in their power to make them more miserable.
The performances by the actors are commendable. C. Thomas Howell shines as Loren, who is a key character in the film. His portrayal of a mentally unstable patient is nuanced and convincing. Charlie Weirauch also delivers a solid performance as Shawn, the protagonist of the film.
The cinematography of the movie is dark and moody, which adds to the overall atmosphere of the film. The setting of the mental hospital is also appropriately bleak and oppressive.
Asylum Days explores several themes related to mental health, such as the stigma surrounding mental illness, the importance of drug-free treatment, and the need for compassionate care for mentally ill individuals. The film's message seems to be that mental illness is a serious issue that requires understanding and support, rather than punishment and isolation.
Overall, Asylum Days is a thought-provoking film that delves deep into the complexities of mental health. It is a disturbing and challenging movie that is not for the faint-hearted. However, if you are interested in exploring the darker aspects of the human psyche, then Asylum Days is definitely worth a watch.