Watch Danika

Danika is a psychological thriller movie from 2005 directed by Ariel Vromen and starring Marisa Tomei as the titular character, Hannah Marks as her daughter, and Guy Camilleri as her husband. The movie revolves around the life of Danika Merrick, a loving mother and caring wife, who starts to experience disturbing visions and strange occurrences that make her doubt her own sanity.

The plot starts with Danika, who is a successful nurse and mother of three, having a premonition of a car accident involving her son Kurt (Kyle Gallner). This vision shakes her to the core and makes her question her own perception of reality. She confides in her therapist, Evelyn (Regina Hall), who initially believes her to be suffering from anxiety and stress.

As Danika's visions become more frequent and intense, she becomes increasingly paranoid about the safety of her family. Her husband, Randy, tries to convince her that she is just experiencing stress due to her job and suggests that she take some time off. However, Danika's paranoia keeps escalating, and she starts to suspect that someone is following her and threatening her family.

The movie portrays Danika's struggle with her mental health issues and explores the impact it has on her family. Her daughter, Jenna (Hannah Marks), notices how her mother's behavior is changing and becomes concerned for her well-being. Meanwhile, Kurt is dealing with his own adolescent problems and feels neglected by his mother's erratic behavior.

The movie is shot in an atmospheric and surrealistic style, with dream-like sequences that reflect Danika's state of mind. Marisa Tomei delivers an outstanding performance as Danika, portraying a complex and multi-layered character that is both vulnerable and fierce. She captures the nuances of Danika's descent into madness and portrays the character with sensitivity and depth.

The movie also touches on important themes such as mental illness, motherhood, and familial relationships. It portrays how mental health issues can go unnoticed and stigmatized, and the toll it takes on the individual and their loved ones. It also portrays the complex relationship between a mother and her children and how mental health issues can affect that dynamic.

The supporting cast also delivers strong performances, especially Hannah Marks as Jenna, who portrays a troubled adolescent dealing with her mother's illness and her own emotional turmoil. Guy Camilleri also delivers a solid performance as Randy, Danika's husband, who struggles with his own job and family responsibilities.

Overall, Danika is a gripping psychological thriller that keeps the viewers engaged and intrigued. It offers a unique perspective on mental illness and family dynamics and portrays a compelling story with solid performances. The movie leaves the audience questioning the nature of reality and the impact of mental health issues on individuals and their families.

Danika is a 2006 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 19 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.5.