Synchronic
Signature Entertainment | Release Date: October 23, 2020
5.8
USER SCORE
Mixed or average reviews based on 58 Ratings
USER RATING DISTRIBUTION
Positive:
22
Mixed:
29
Negative:
7
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User Reviews

User scoreBy dateMost helpful
2
DaveAusFeb 7, 2021
Boring and all over the place. This poor film suffers from bad writing and worse acting with unlikable characters.
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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4
TVJerryOct 23, 2020
Anthony Mackie and Jamie Dornan play best friends and EMA technicians who keep running across people who’ve died from a new designer drug. Turns out it has a unique effect on the user, which ends up getting them involved on a more sci-fiAnthony Mackie and Jamie Dornan play best friends and EMA technicians who keep running across people who’ve died from a new designer drug. Turns out it has a unique effect on the user, which ends up getting them involved on a more sci-fi level. The concept has potential, but the logic has holes. It doesn’t really matter, because the few “trip” scenes don’t make up for the tedious dialogue that permeates the narrative. The actors do fine, but the lackluster direction and dull pace don’t make the trippy elements worth the trouble.… Expand
3 of 4 users found this helpful31
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3
franktimberJan 3, 2021
I watched this because I am a big fan of Anthony Mackie but even he and an actor like Dornan couldn't save this. The concept and script is terrible and the production quality is just... Poor.
2 of 3 users found this helpful21
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7
mbeckfordJan 14, 2021
Synchronic is the most conventional, "mainstream" movie Aaron Moorhead and Justin Benson have made to-date and unfortunately that's a bit of a step back. They're previous outings, especially their slow burn low-budget Resolution and theSynchronic is the most conventional, "mainstream" movie Aaron Moorhead and Justin Benson have made to-date and unfortunately that's a bit of a step back. They're previous outings, especially their slow burn low-budget Resolution and the fantastic The Endless, are mind benders that slowly unwind the respective film's underlying mystery. The astute viewer can figure out what's happening in this film's surreal prologue. And just in case you still can't figure it out, there's a bit too much exposition later on to hammer it home. Anthony Mackie is excellent. It's hard to not subconsciously see Marvel's Falcon, but overall he is an effective dramatic lead. The chemistry with fellow EMT Jamie Dorn is believable and authentic and adds poignancy to the films more dramatic moments.

They visit some well crafted scenes where they are called in as EMT's, and their weary "been here, done that " banter is effective. While the last act is WAY too formulaic, overall it's an entertaining flick, and if I hadn't seen their previous outings, I probably would have enjoyed it more.

P.S. Anybody catch the Andrew Garland Annihilation synths in both the beginning and end?… Expand
1 of 3 users found this helpful12
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10
DbizzleJan 12, 2021
Really thoughtful and creative in a lot of ways. Definitely worth watching!!
1 of 4 users found this helpful13
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6
bertobellamyApr 25, 2021
Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead's cinema keeps getting bigger, but 'Synchronic' could be their weakest film to date. If you loved 'Resolution' and 'The Endless,' you'll know what you're getting into. The concept —about a drug with a uniqueJustin Benson and Aaron Moorhead's cinema keeps getting bigger, but 'Synchronic' could be their weakest film to date. If you loved 'Resolution' and 'The Endless,' you'll know what you're getting into. The concept —about a drug with a unique and quantum effect— is wild and fun, but I think it gets fully introduced very late into the story. As in previous films, the directors work with a particular set of rules that govern the respective universe. The problem is that the other kind of lame subplots drives us away from it.

Anthony Mackie shines as Steve, but Jamie Dornan can't help to get overshadowed by his co-star. A lot has to do with a weak characterization, of course, but it's hard to get involved with him.

'Synchronic' is entertaining, yes, but it's when the film walks into unexpected but welcome territory —making the most out of things when you're about to meet your end— that the story makes a valuable point.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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4
TomHugFeb 7, 2021
This movie was OK. From the musical score, you get the sense that the movie thinks it's way more awesome and thrilling than it actually is. If Mr. Dornen was trying to portray a shallow narcissist about whom any sympathy was nearly impossibleThis movie was OK. From the musical score, you get the sense that the movie thinks it's way more awesome and thrilling than it actually is. If Mr. Dornen was trying to portray a shallow narcissist about whom any sympathy was nearly impossible to muster, he succeeded. Mr. Mackie did an admirable job of portraying a conflicted, yet sympathetic character. There are some nice photographic turns in the transitions. There's something along the lines of an M. Night Shyamalan twist at the end, but it feels kind of pro forma. To a large extent the whole movie feels like a setup to something significant, but we never get to the something -- or if we do, it's treated very superficially and formulaically.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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6
Brent_MarchantMar 18, 2021
This sci-fi offering tries mightily to spin a cutting-edge yarn but just never quite hits all the right notes. As a pair of New Orleans paramedics (and long-time friends) investigate a series of questionable incidents, they discover thatThis sci-fi offering tries mightily to spin a cutting-edge yarn but just never quite hits all the right notes. As a pair of New Orleans paramedics (and long-time friends) investigate a series of questionable incidents, they discover that they're tied to the unexpected side effects of a new, legal designer drug. But, the further they look, the more they discover the substance has not only mind-expanding properties, but also reality-expanding qualities, with results that reshape accepted views of the nature of existence. As interesting as that premise is, however, the story feels as if there are holes in the narrative, especially when it comes to fleshing out several of the picture's underdeveloped story threads. To its credit, the film has some intriguing and inventive special effects, though its sound quality is woefully lacking, especially in the first half. This is by no means a bad offering, but it is one that definitely could have been better, especially given the profound potential of the subject matter.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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7
RalfbergsJun 27, 2021
Interesting concept - good acting. At beginning was a bit boring but later got more interesting though
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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8
alejandro970Jun 9, 2023
The film is not to point out as one of the best of this century but its honesty is in its defense, the fact that it does not abuse the special effects and that it does not bother to give a moral speech about drugs. Not to mention more.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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4
eva3si0nJun 11, 2023
Synchronic is a film with lost potential. First of all, the film has a very long plot and the main events begin to develop in the middle of the timing. Secondly, Synchronic does not develop the topic of time travel, not to mention the factSynchronic is a film with lost potential. First of all, the film has a very long plot and the main events begin to develop in the middle of the timing. Secondly, Synchronic does not develop the topic of time travel, not to mention the fact that these movements themselves are not logically related, and the last movement associated with the finale of the film is not only not logical, but looks like nonsense. It seems that the authors had a concept, but they could not implement it in any way. Synchronic is one of the worst time travel movies. Not only because there is a terribly logical ending, but also the incoherence of events in general and lost potential.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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4
JLuis_001Jan 30, 2021
Aaron Moorhead and Justin Benson gained my admiration because they have carved their careers with films that are far from being simplistic.
However, although this is also a low budget film, Synchronic represents their biggest effort yet, andAaron Moorhead and Justin Benson gained my admiration because they have carved their careers with films that are far from being simplistic.
However, although this is also a low budget film, Synchronic represents their biggest effort yet, and sadly they made the mistake of wanting to bite off more than they can chew, and among its complexity, Synchronic represents the first work that got out of their hands. It has enough intrigue to take you to the end, but the path and the destination are not satisfactory, they never are, and that was a big shame.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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6
Iamcritical86Jun 27, 2021
It was alright but I was expecting more suspense than what this film ultimately offered. It didn't really get interesting until around the last 40 minutes or so. Up until that point, it was pretty slow.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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10
CasandraComplexAug 23, 2022
At this point, I think that I am only going to watch R rated shows and film on Nutflux because anything PG, PG13, MAT, and such is really just code for," we are going to bombard your children with intersectional woke nonsense with really badAt this point, I think that I am only going to watch R rated shows and film on Nutflux because anything PG, PG13, MAT, and such is really just code for," we are going to bombard your children with intersectional woke nonsense with really bad story writing and shallow special effects." This film is moody, introspective, intelligent and god forbid, shot from a male perspective. BLASPHEMY of the modern day. It has some real and authentic insights concerning what the main character is experiencing in his personal life concerning his own mortality and personal evolution. The story cleverly and judiciously uses special effects to illustrate a phenomenon rather than hitting you over the head with a CGI club. THAT in itself leaves certain misguided audiences to feel let down because they didn't get their CGI fix... as if that alone makes for good story telling. This film is just that and more... a very good story that was very well told.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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9
oz9090Apr 21, 2021
Great sci-fi. The movie is full of fantastic cinematography, themes, acting, and suspense. A great movie experience overall.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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5
Mauro_LanariAug 29, 2021
(Mauro Lanari)
1) Einstein's neoparmenidism (1905) proposes the concept of problematic and questionable spacetime.
2) His special theory of relativity has nothing to do with the synchronicity of Jung and Pauli (1952). 3) The apologia of the(Mauro Lanari)
1) Einstein's neoparmenidism (1905) proposes the concept of problematic and questionable spacetime.
2) His special theory of relativity has nothing to do with the synchronicity of Jung and Pauli (1952).
3) The apologia of the present is by no means attributable to the aforementioned authors.
4) In the movie, the time travels are more casual than in the TV series "Quantum Leap" (5 seasons starting from 1989), with the consequence that they do not follow any logic and therefore you can interchange / permute them how and how much you want.
5) The two directors do not have a shred of the visionariness shown by Ken Russell in "Altered States" (1980), which ranges from the Big Bang to the garden of Eden.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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5
Stream2BigScreeFeb 19, 2021
Let's talk about catching, Streamers. The best part of pandemic is the ability to catch up on all the junk you've missed on TV and movies. So, I finally got to catch a movie I thought sounded interesting in 2019, but it didn't release untilLet's talk about catching, Streamers. The best part of pandemic is the ability to catch up on all the junk you've missed on TV and movies. So, I finally got to catch a movie I thought sounded interesting in 2019, but it didn't release until the end 2020. Lord knows I wasn't spending $19.99 for the rental or risking my life in the theater for this movie, but, Synchronic, here I am. Synchronic is a movie that follows two New Orleans paramedics who have their lives torn apart during some chance encounters with horrific deaths linked to a designer drug. This is the drug of all drugs because the effects are more than bizarre and otherworldly. Check out the trailer below, but let's see what we got from this free Redbox streamer.

"Drugs are bad, mmkay. Don't do drugs, mmkay". That's the basic moral of this story. I'd go a bit further and say don't do drugs in New Orleans, but we all know that's just a hard ask. I mean I know life sucks but after seeing this new drug... life doesn't suck that bad. Anyway, New Orleans is one of my favorites cities, and I definitely appreciate movies investing in the city after it's been devastated so many times. That's really neither here nor there. The storyline in this movie takes a turn from the first 20 minutes to a sci-fi time travel-ly movie. While it was mostly random, it was also endearing and engrossing. It's one of those things where you enjoy it but you didn't even know you would enjoy this kind of thing. It's not quite original but it's also not something you've seen before. The best thing I can give you is that it's an odd mix of Limitless and Don't Let Go.

Let's talk about the cast. First, your boy, Anthony Mackie does his thing. He really does know how to give you the most solemn, callous faces while also simultaneously letting you know he's going crazy on the inside. It's a weird and awesome acting talent. Mackie is paired with Mr. Gray himself, Jamie Dornan. Dornan while pretty awful in the 50 Shades of Gray series, not his fault but he didn't make it better, Dornan looks and feels more normal in this movie. Talk about setting the bar low. Just being normal is a step up in his acting career, smh. Either way, our leading fellas tried their best in this random flick.

Let's get to it. Synchronic is a film that is hard to judge. It feels like two movies mixed into one which is strangely original but also a failing in itself. Just like the definition of synchronism, the movie displays chronological arrangement of historical events and personages so as to indicate coincidence or coexistence. Just like the definition it's interesting and boring at the same time, but somehow I just can't take my eye of it. So grab yourself a handful of popcorn and "enjoy" this puzzling feature.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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4
4EverAfterDec 21, 2022
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This is a goofy film that tries to present itself as serious.

Drug related sci-fi films are hard to pull off. They usually end up a bit cringe. Limitless is one of the few exceptions.

Synchronic starts off strong. I like the weirdness in the beginning and the mystery of what is happening to the drug users... unfortunately, the mystery was completely resolved about halfway through the film.

The main character explains to the camera (blatant exposition) what the drug does.

Who is he making the film for? There's no drugs left for anyone else to take - he somehow knows he has the last pills in the world - so who is he explaining the rules to?

If he only has half a dozen or so doses - and they are the last doses in the world - why use half of them up before even attempting to rescue the girl?

Why not take a weapon with you, or a helmet, or *something*. He has no idea where he is going to end up. He knows for a fact that people have been brutally murdered travelling back in time. So why not protect himself?

There is so much that doesn't make sense.

The acting is reasonable, but never great.

The special effects are good, but - ultimately - this doesn't differentiate the film from all the other spectacular blockbusters out there.

I was getting distracted watching this film. It took me two days to watch it and I kept pausing it and going to do other things. It failed to engage me.

It has some moments. I liked the scene with the black guy going back in time to a super racist era full of white rednecks (the true potential here was squandered)... but there are also really dumb parts like with the caveman in the snow.

Overall, it's a bit of a mess.

I don't care about any of the characters, at all.

The title - Synchronic - doesn't fit the film. It sounds like a strain of Indica.

The drug doesn't seem to actually have any drug-like effects. It just takes people back in time for seven minutes.

How does the world not already realize that a time-travel drug exists?

Not a single person who has taken it made a Youtube video?

Why would junky types want to take a time-travel drug?

I don't think the person who wrote this has ever had DMT. If it wasn't for their previous films, I wouldn't have been surprised if they've never had any drugs at all.

Synchronic isn't trippy. It has nothing to do with DMT or psychedelic drugs... or drugs, in general. It's a time travel film and it isn't a good one.

This film should've taken itself less seriously. There are ample missed opportunities for humour and self-awareness.

I've still got 23 minutes left. Finishing the movie feels like a chore.

I'm right on the fence with this one. If it is just (only just) watchable, IMO.

Benson & Moorhead's other films (Resolution, The Endless) are MUCH better.

EDIT So, the end doesn't make sense either. Has Brianna been on that battlefield for two weeks? What has she been eating/drinking? How has she survived? If she hasn't been there for two weeks, wouldn't they both appear by the boulder at the same time? Also - if time passes very slowly - why don't they find out where the drugs were made? That professor guy couldn't have pressed all of them himself, so the suicide doesn't fix that plot hole. We're just supposed to believe that these are the last pills and there will never be any more, even though (presumably) many people would still have some left over? The professor went around and bought all the ones from shops, but he didn't retrieve the ones that had already been purchased. It isn't explained why it's absolutely not possible to ever get any again. If it was me - and my best friend sacrificed himself to save my daughter - I'd do everything I possibly could to find way to save him. The whole thing is flimsy. The brain tumour thing is forced drama and it doesn't work. Maybe if I cared about the characters, I would care... but I don't, and I don't. The drama is completely valueless. If this was an episode in a sci-fi anthology series (like Room 104), it would be a bad episode.… Expand
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