The Butterfly Effect

New Line Cinema | Release Date: January 23, 2004

8.5	USER SCORE Universal acclaim based on 644 Ratings

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AlvaradoKTAJun 16, 2014

With such an original script, it's a shame the ambitious writing didn't create a more compelling storyline. The latter half of the film shows obvious results of writer's block as it become repetitive and the entire premise falls into itselfWith such an original script, it's a shame the ambitious writing didn't create a more compelling storyline. The latter half of the film shows obvious results of writer's block as it become repetitive and the entire premise falls into itself by the end, the final scenes being the weakest of the entire film. The only thing worth watching this for, is the initial setup and minor thrill.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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hama33644Aug 1, 2020

this movie is probably the only one with this huge of a gap between critics and user... I do not agree with either ... the movie is not as bad as critics portrait it but it's also not good... just ok, I could watch it til the end and somewhatthis movie is probably the only one with this huge of a gap between critics and user... I do not agree with either ... the movie is not as bad as critics portrait it but it's also not good... just ok, I could watch it til the end and somewhat enjoyed it... story is not bad...… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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elanaMar 24, 2020

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. The movie starts off with all the events leading up to the main character Evan’s discovery that he can travel through time. At first, it was okay. It was pretty average, but not too unremarkable. Then it kept switching between different scenes and I started getting a bit confused. “Did the movie mean for it to seem random and sudden, or is it really just that bad?” After the meeting with Evan’s father and the scene where Tommy loses it at the cinema, I was laughing at how ridiculous and exaggerated the events were and how they just rushed those events by without ever stopping to think about how that’d affect anything. The interesting parts start when Evan reads journal entries he wrote when he was younger, and discovers that by reading them, he can travel back in time to when these blackouts occurred. That was fine, though it could have been better. The writing could have been more imaginative. Why is it that every time Evan saves Lenny, Lenny ends up as his roomate? Why is it that every time Evan saves Kayleigh, she ends up with him? Why is it that every time Evan saves Tommy, he ends up a nice religious guy? How could Evan’s empty threats stop Kayleigh and Tommy’s father from being a pedophile and abuser? Why didn’t Evan get charged with self defense in the first place? The movie tries to make their characters seem real and deep or whatever, but the script changes too fast and provides way too much mood whiplash that it ends up being confusing and frustrating. This contradictory writing is a great source of unintentional hilarity.

The ending of the movie is something I can appreciate. It was probably the most well-written part in the entire movie, and certainly the only part I can’t find any glaring or aggravating problems about.

All in all, the most I’d give this movie a 6/10. The hilarious way it goes about trying to be dramatic and meaningful keeps the movie from being unremarkable, but it’s still not simething I’d watch again nor recommend to others.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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juliankennedy23Nov 2, 2014

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. The Butterfly Effect: 4 out of 10: The first 40 minutes of The Butterfly Effect are tough sledding. It's not incompetent film-making mind you. If anything the film is simply too effective. Literally showing the world's worst childhood. It is so much of a downer with child molestation, baby killing and burning puppies that it's almost a Stephen King parody. I guess there is a reason we repress memories after all. I would repress that childhood as well.

The film to that point kind of reminded me of Sleepers where it was so unpleasant it didn't matter how good the movie is. It's certainly nothing I would ever want to see again. Then the movie takes a wild turn as Ashton Kutcher shows up. As easy a target as he is I hate to admit the second two-thirds of the film are really not his fault.

Some notes to writer/directors Eric Briss and J. Mackye Gruber. If your going to have scenes in a prison you might want to visit one first, or at least watch a documentary on the same. Speaking of documentaries "Revenge of the Nerds" and other eighties comedies are not a documentaries on college life. Sororities do not resemble the Playboy Mansion. And twenty-three year old crack whores often look bad but they tend not to resemble a Dawn of the Dead extra.

If The Butterfly Effect didn't keep flashing back to the puppy and baby horrors, then the second two thirds would be a hoot. There is even a "hey there is a psycho chasing me lets take a walk in the dark woods" scene.

Since Kutcher's time travel effects only his friends and family and nothing else at all. The Butterfly Effect inadvertently substantiates the reverse of the Butterfly theorem.

Needless to say the change in tone from the childhood scenes and adult scenes is jarring. Though most of the humor in the adult scenes is admittedly unintentional. Kutcher travels back in time by staring at notebook paper. I tried the same technique staring at my screen. It didn't work I still lost two hours.… Expand

2 of 3 users found this helpful21

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ingie44Mar 29, 2014

Interesting idea, with a good theme. Unfortunately very badly acted with freakin huge plot holes. Plot caverns. Honestly I don't know why anyone would get Ashton to be in a film if they wanted the film to be good? I reckon they knew they hadInteresting idea, with a good theme. Unfortunately very badly acted with freakin huge plot holes. Plot caverns. Honestly I don't know why anyone would get Ashton to be in a film if they wanted the film to be good? I reckon they knew they had a weak script here. Anyway somewhere along the line they manage to get an interesting point about human nature across, but its pretty much smothered by the surrounding crap. Shame really.… Expand

1 of 3 users found this helpful12

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PatC.Mar 27, 2006

Only watched Director's Cut. Fragmented screenplay, which in itself is a powerful argument for chaos theory, but an interesting premise. Actually, this is a good example of the stuff of a classic movie clumsily handled. An "It's A Only watched Director's Cut. Fragmented screenplay, which in itself is a powerful argument for chaos theory, but an interesting premise. Actually, this is a good example of the stuff of a classic movie clumsily handled. An "It's A Wonderful Life" heavily laden with the darker alternatives of the supposed choices we make in life. A difficult movie to absorb, but lurking in this mess message of undeniable value to those who have been through hell and still try to remain positive.… Expand

0 of 2 users found this helpful

mrniceJan 22, 2014

More creepy than I'd expected, but also a bit clever and funny. All in all, a mix of entertainment elements that can make young adults see some underlying laws that run through life. Unless you philosophize about time and space occasionally,More creepy than I'd expected, but also a bit clever and funny. All in all, a mix of entertainment elements that can make young adults see some underlying laws that run through life. Unless you philosophize about time and space occasionally, it can provide some food for thought. And hey, it's rare that an American teenage-entertainer has philosophical content!… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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axelkochNov 10, 2012

One of the best storys in film history, but deplorably reliazed. The child actors can't play their complex characters good but disappointingly, the grown-ups can't either! There are also some logical mistakes and disproportionateOne of the best storys in film history, but deplorably reliazed. The child actors can't play their complex characters good but disappointingly, the grown-ups can't either! There are also some logical mistakes and disproportionate stylizations. It's no good movie, but I love the story and I was so touched with all the horrible butterfly effects in it.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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JamesHDec 29, 2009

Such an interesting subject idea given such a convoluted and less than thrilling treatment. It is imaginative, and very well made, but it gets repetitive and tiring after awhile. The acting is fair.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

russiangamerMay 24, 2017

Любил раньше этот фильм, но пересмотрев, увидел кучу проблем с логикой, актёрской игрой, да и просто второй раз смотрится без интереса.
Тем не менее, фильм я рекомендую, всё же в первый раз вполне динамично и интересно, но лучше неЛюбил раньше этот фильм, но пересмотрев, увидел кучу проблем с логикой, актёрской игрой, да и просто второй раз смотрится без интереса.
Тем не менее, фильм я рекомендую, всё же в первый раз вполне динамично и интересно, но лучше не пересматривать, только испортите впечатление, как я.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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justrussian1337Sep 7, 2021

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. One of the best film's ideas I have ever seen (notice: the film's idea, not the film). I can tell you that films in our times can give you only a leftist trash in your brains, really, but this film have bad ideas as well. Yeah, this film can give you some thoughts about your life, society, relationships and etc, but has anyone noticed a big package of propaganda about guys in this film? I noticed. Listen to me, why all guys figured in the film are fully **** Lenny is a j**king motherf**ker, Tommy is a ruthless psycho, Evan is a full idiot too. Only girls are good here. Absolutely, that's more better than marvel's or dc's stupidity, but some scenes and themes are really useless… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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