Side Effects (2005 film)

Side Effects is a 2005 American psychological thriller film directed by Kathleen Slattery-Moschkau. The film explores the ethical and social issues surrounding the pharmaceutical industry, focusing on the marketing and use of antidepressant medications.

The plot centers around Claire (Katherine Heigl), a successful pharmaceutical sales representative who begins to question the ethics of her job and the potential harm caused by the drugs she promotes. As she delves deeper into the industry's practices, she uncovers a web of deception, manipulation, and potential conflicts of interest between pharmaceutical companies, doctors, and patients. The film examines the pressure to increase profits, the influence of marketing on prescribing habits, and the potential for negative side effects of antidepressant medications, both physical and psychological.

Unlike the more widely known 2013 film Side Effects directed by Steven Soderbergh, this film takes a more documentary-style approach, incorporating interviews with medical professionals, patients, and whistleblowers to present a critical perspective on the pharmaceutical industry and its impact on mental health care. The film aims to raise awareness about the complexities and potential dangers associated with the widespread use of prescription drugs and encourage viewers to critically evaluate the information they receive about medications.