Primer
THINKFilm | Release Date: October 8, 2004 CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
68
METASCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 25 Critic Reviews
Positive:
15
Mixed:
8
Negative:
2
Watch Now
Buy on
Stream On

Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
100
Village VoiceDennis Lim
Primer unites physics and metaphysics in an ingenious guerrilla reinvention of cinematic science fiction. Read full review
91
Entertainment WeeklyLisa Schwarzbaum
Consider Primer a successful lab experiment with, as they might say in techie chat rooms, significant indie-cred applications, IMHO. Oh, and :-). Read full review
90
Chicago ReaderJ.R. Jones
A half-baked conspiracy subplot in the last third makes Carruth's knotty narrative even harder to follow, but this is still scary, puzzling, and different. Read full review
88
Chicago Sun-TimesRoger Ebert
It is maddening, fascinating and completely successful. Read full review
88
PremiereAaron Hillis
Refusing to dumb down for a mass market, Primer is "Mullholland Dr." for math geeks, "Memento" for mad geniuses, or simply one of the most inventive films ever made for pennies on the Hollywood dollar. Read full review
88
Philadelphia InquirerSteven Rea
An ingenious blend of sci-fi and mystery. Read full review
80
The A.V. ClubScott Tobias
A brainteaser of the first order, Primer ranks among the best of recent thrillers such as "Memento" or "The Matrix," which rupture the fabric of reality and radically destabilize the narrative in kind. Read full review
80
L.A. WeeklyScott Foundas
A dense and dazzling science-fiction mind-bender unassumingly dressed up in a tech geek’s short-sleeved oxford shirt, pocket protector and safety goggles. Read full review
78
Austin ChronicleMarjorie Baumgarten
It's hard to always know what Primer is saying or where it's heading, but it looks fantastic while it unfolds and you won't be able to forget what you've witnessed. Read full review
75
Baltimore SunChris Kaltenbach
The movie may be too precious for mass consumption, but its filmmakers' willingness to assume the best of their audience, combined with its Everyman origins, suggest a movie that deserves a chance. Read full review
75
Miami HeraldRene Rodriguez
Primer is obviously not for all tastes, but if it connects with you, prepare to be obsessed. Read full review
75
Christian Science MonitorDavid Sterritt
The screenplay is convoluted but fascinating, flawed less by its built-in complexity than by the limitations of the characters' psychological depth. Read full review
75
Boston GlobeTy Burr
Shane Carruth's extraordinary work of shoestring speculation throws you into a deep ocean of techno-jargon and lets you dog-paddle or sink like a stone. Read full review
70
Los Angeles TimesCarina Chocano
Frustrating as I ultimately found it, Primer is undeniably geek heaven. For everyone else, it's a nice antidote to big-budget bogusness. Read full review
63
New York Daily NewsRobert Dominguez
One of those purposely head-scratching films meant to be viewed more than once. The extra ticket sales should easily cover Carruth's initial $7,000 budget. Read full review
60
EmpireKim Newman
It's a puzzle as much as a plot, but when it's in focus (which it isn't for long stretches) it's remarkable brain-food. Read full review
60
The New York TimesDana Stevens
At a certain point, Mr. Carruth's fondness for complexity and indirection crosses the line between ambiguity and opacity, but I hasten to add that my bafflement is colored by admiration. Read full review
50
The Hollywood ReporterKirk Honeycutt
May be too clever for its own good. Essentially, it's the story of weekend scientists who build a time machine in a suburban garage. But this nearly gets lost in a miasma of technical jargon and scientific conjecture. Read full review
50
Dallas ObserverRobert Wilonsky
Love it or hate it, you won't be able to leave it alone. Read full review
50
TV Guide MagazineKen Fox
A fascinatingly obtuse puzzle box that manages to be gripping even after it stops making sense. Read full review
50
San Francisco ChronicleNeva Chonin
Doesn't always work, but it challenges, nonetheless. Read full review
42
Seattle Post-IntelligencerWilliam Arnold
Every frame of the way, it's eminently clear that Primer is the work of an engineer, not a film- maker. Read full review
40
Film ThreatEric Campos
Inspires plenty of head scratching and maybe a little irritation. Read full review
30
Washington PostMichael O'Sullivan
As Primer progresses, it just gets murkier and the experience of it more drudgelike. Read full review
25
New York PostLou Lumenick
A real head-scratcher that somehow won the grand jury prize at this year's Sundance Film Festival. Read full review
More From This Movie

68 Critic Reviews

7.5 User Reviews

Details & Credits|Trailers

Current Movie Releases
By MetascoreBy User Score
1 81 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple
2 77 Project Hail Mary
3 75 Send Help
4 73 Hoppers
5 72 The Sheep Detectives
SEE ALL
Essential Links
New on Amazon Prime Video
New on Netflix
Coming Soon to DVD/Blu-ray
SEE ALL