AMAZON FEATURES "UNHINGED", A PEAK INTO ABUSERS' MINDS (GASLIGHTING)

What happens when a self-absorbed, irresponsible mother comes to blows with a murdering psychopath? The scenario in "Unhinged".

It is a disturbing story, because the monsters are real. This horrifying day could happen to anyone. Fortunately, "Unhinged" gives us the answer we need to avoid confrontation.

PAY ATTENTION.

It is the core message in the film, and Rachel's family is notoriously bad at it. The only family member who seems to have his head on straight is Rachel's teenage son, Kyle. The poor kid is stuck in a bad enough home life. He's a sweet, attentive boy, but he hates that he's surrounded by such selfish, obtuse people. The last thing he needs is to become the target of a psychopath, because of his mother's reckless driving.

Meanwhile, Fred, his equally selfish uncle, denies him the chance to recognize the problem before it occurs. Kyle is watching a news report detailing the psychopath's most recent crimes. Everything the family needs to identify him is blaring in their faces, but what do they do? Rachel is too busy rushing to get dressed for the day, and Fred talks over the report so loudly that Kyle cannot focus. If that's not bad enough, Fred then grabs the remote and turns off the television.

Both adults are too caught up in their own frivolous problems to recognize a very real danger. There is a psychopath lose in their area driving a grey pickup truck.

That said, we must ask. Does Rachel's thoughtlessness justify The Man's actions: stalking, torment, gaslighting, and murder? Absolutely not. A healthy person would have uttered some choice words in the car's direction, swallowed their damaged pride, and driven on. It's the responsible and safe thing to do. If more people could do that, maybe there would be fewer incidents on the roads. Fewer people would be dead.

Instead, this crazy person was out looking for a fight. After his criminal assault on his ex-wife, his blood lust was not satisfied. It never is. Thus, he projects his issues onto the first person with the nerve to stand up to him. Bottom line: He's a bully and menace with a terrible habit of gaslighting his victims. However, Rachel is not the kind of woman to stand for it. She knows his fault from the beginning, and she learns later how faulty he is.

Who the hell is he to tell her that she's not allowed to have a bad day?

Everyone has a bad day. The difference is not every one deserves that bad day. Sometimes, psychopaths drop into our laps. The best we can do is defend ourselves. That is exactly what Rachel does.

People are ALLOWED to have a bad day. Life is not a competition. We should cut each other some slack. Forgive. Let go. MOVE ON. It true that she needs to step it up to improve her life. However, he's the one who belongs in prison. He's the danger. Most importantly, we need to be vigilant of danger. Pay attention to the news. Unfortunately, people have forgotten it in our modern, fast-paced society. Let this film serve as a reminder of what we must do to protect ourselves on the road and from abusers.