Sightless is a 2020 Psychological Thriller movie starring Madelaine Petsch as the main protagonist Ellen Ashland

Synopsis

A vicious attack leaves Ellen Ashland, a young woman and violinist, blind and she withdraws from the world to recover. Soon she struggles with paranoia when she perceives that that her assailant has returned to terrorize her by hiding in plain sight and nobody around her seems to believe that. She fights back to escape her new reality in which people around her are not who they seem to be.

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The focus of this post is the main character Ellen Ashland. She delivers a brilliant performance in Sightless. The movie takes you on a literal visual story through her sight as she tries to perceive everything with the help of her other intact senses. 

Ellen really pulled me to her character with her struggles, conflicting emotions, and journey. She gave me a feeling of urgency and angst at pivotal moments in the movie. Along with eliciting empathy for her situation and bravado for her courage during her fight.

Meet Ellen Ashland

A former violinist, after having gone through an abusive past with her ex-husband, Ellen has been trying to regain her life. A brutal attack by an assailant outside leaves her blind and in need of assistance from officials and aid workers.

She stands out as a character in her own right navigating the reality around her, the aftermath of the attack. Trying to figure out patterns of daily events around her through her senses. Struggling with her feelings of fear and agitation due to her vulnerability, and ultimately fighting back one hell of a battle toward the end.  

Memorable Scenes With Ellen

When the deceiving reality around her starts to perplex her, there’s a moment when she wants to just hide behind the illusional safety of her bedcovers. 

But she regains her courage and tries to take steps forward which was marvelous to watch. 

The pivotal moment when everything falls into place for her, thanks to her sharp honing of her senses despite struggling in the first few days after her blindness, was brilliant as she pieces together the truth.

Ellen’s Contribution to ‘Sightless’

Her character arc was empowering in the story. She fought to not lose her spirit despite the brutal ordeal and horrifying truths.

Sightless delivered a captivating visual experience to the audience, with Ellen’s character playing a significant role in its overall excellence. With the confusing mind twists and perceiving the people and events through her senses, the movie gave us a hooking psychological thriller story.

Ellen’s character adds complexity, tension, and a unique perspective to the plot.

‘Sightless’ as a Psychological Thriller

A psychological thriller, portrays the complex mental state of the characters, creating intense suspense and engaging the viewer with emotional torment, intricate mind games, manipulation, and explores the human psyche. 

Often with themes of mystery, suspense, and tension, it keeps the audience guessing and deeply focusing on the inner thoughts, and motivations of the characters

It evokes intense emotional reactions, captures the audience’s attention, and challenges their perception of reality.

And Sightless does exactly that making it one of the best psychological thrillers. The movie leads us with confusing twists and an intense end where are left with a release of emotions. 

Ellen’s Significance in ‘Sightless’

Ellen’s character enhances the psychological elements of ‘Sightless.’

Her moments of confusion as to what is happening around her contribute to suspense and tension for us. Her explosions, mental state, and emotions make up for an empathetic and frustrating ride.

Her courage, and spirit to fight back evoke audiences’ bravado for her and make them root for her to be free. 

Conclusion

The climax and ending of Sightless make the best representation of a woman escaping an abusive situation that is harming her strength and agency.  

In a world where she is already vulnerable and deterred from returning to her happiness and dreams, she ultimately ends up fighting with her strength to escape a trap, a harmful reality that seeks to control and break her. The fear of being confined and abused will always be with most women in some form in their lives. 

The movie showcasing her breaking from that confinement exactly makes for the best visual viewing and takeaway. I would definitely recommend it for a watch. 

Ellen stole my breath away in Sightless and warmed up her way to my list of favorite characters. And I am happy to have watched her and the movie. Kudos to the writer and team! An excellent job done.

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Have you met someone like Ellen? Share your comments on your favorite psychological thrillers or characters below.

[*All image courtesy of Google and YouTube. I do not own the copyrights to any of them.]

Read More: Sightless Ending & All 4 Twists Explained (*Spoilers)