Synchronic is a 2019 American science-fiction horror film in which two New Orleans paramedics’ lives are ripped apart after a series of horrific deaths linked to a designer drug with bizarre, otherworldly effects.
Directed by Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead (The Endless; Spring) from a screenplay written by Benson, the movie stars Jamie Dornan, Anthony Mackie, Ally Ioannides, Bill Oberst Jr. and Betsy Holt.
Plot:
When New Orleans paramedics and longtime best friends Steve (Anthony Mackie) and Dennis (Jamie Dornan) are called to a series of bizarre, gruesome accidents, they chalk it up to the mysterious new party drug found at the scene.
However, after Dennis’s oldest daughter suddenly disappears, Steve stumbles upon a terrifying truth about the supposed psychedelic that will challenge everything he knows about reality—and the flow of time itself…
Home Viewing News:
Synchronic will be released on Blu-ray and DVD by Well Go USA on January 26th 2021. Special features:
Audio commentary with directors Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead and producer David Lawson Jr.
Making of featurette
Previsualization featurette
VFX Breakdown featurette
Alternate ending
Deleted scene
Trailers
Reviews:
” …the filmmakers’ imagination, both visually and in the script, is well worth noting. Its suggestion of the past as a nightmare and the present as an undervalued miracle also puts an interesting spin on contemporary conversations about historical injustice and the grip it holds on the present. It’s just that this particular idea needs more perspective and depth to fully develop.” Birth. Movies. Death.
“The two chief aspects of Synchronic that make it work so well as science fiction and just as marvelously entertaining filmmaking are the overall correctness of the story at hand and the compassion that flows throughout the tale and its characters. Moorhead and Benson have addressed the themes of addiction and reality-bending concepts in all three of their previous features, but they mesh them together seamlessly here.” Den of Geek
“Synchronic‘s use of this recreational drug as the time travel mechanism is rather brilliant – simple in concept but intriguing in execution. I just wanted them to push it further. Maybe it was a budgetary limitation, or maybe it was their plan to keep the film minimal. Right when it’s getting good, they pull back…” First Showing
“It’s a fine acting showcase for its two leads, even if you’d be forgiven for wishing the script weren’t quite so keen to walk audiences through so much of the experience. Synchronic doesn’t match the heights of Benson and Moorhead’s prior efforts, but it nevertheless offers a creative – if messy – riff on a tired sci-fi subgenre.” Flickering Myth
“The science is a little bit complex but it’s well explained, the performances are excellent (especially Mackie who exhibits real star quality in this) and it’s obvious that Benson and Moorhead have improved considerably as storytellers since Resolution.” House of Mortal Cinema
” …they are armed with a much larger budget and a high-profile cast and put the mystery and action more to the centre than the philosophy. But that philosophy is still there, proving that they can turn their hand to a more mainstream story that still is smarter and more enjoyable than the average, thanks to their particular talents.” Screen Anarchy
“Making underwhelming use of its not-bad “time travel pill” conceit, Benson’s sci-fi-tinged script is not at all ingeniously plotted, insists we care about tritely sketched characters and is never credible enough to transcend an air of escalating silliness.” Variety
“Seemingly beginning as an updated take on Scorsese’s (brilliant and underseen) Bringing Out the Dead, Synchronic reveals other layers one can attribute to some very neat sci-fi stories, turning everything on its head in the process. As a result, this trippy film provides a cinematic high well worth checking out. It’s aided by strong work all around…” We Live Entertainment
Cast and characters:
Jamie Dornan
Anthony Mackie
Ally Ioannides … Brianna Dannelly
Bill Oberst Jr. … The Looter
Betsy Holt … Leah
Aaron Groben … Klansman #1 (voice)
Martin Bats Bradford … Bob
Natasha Tina Liu … Christina
Shane Brady Shane Brady … Travis
Matthew Underwood … Officer Beaumont
Divine Prince Ty Emmecca
Devyn A. Tyler … Danika
Lawrence Turner … Joe
Sam Malone … Doctor
Walker Babington … Conquistador
Filming locations:
Deep South Studios, New Orleans, Louisiana
Technical details:
102 minutes
Aspect ratio: 2.39:1
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YouTube reviews:
