Synchronic – Movie Review (4/5)

SYNCHRONIC is a sci-fi horror movie by the brilliant filmmaker duo Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead. This time the movie stars Anthony Mackie and Jamie Dornan. With a solid runtime of around 100 minutes, it is definitely worth watching. Read our Synchronic movie review here!

SYNCHRONIC is the latest movie by Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead. If you’re familiar with their previous movies, then you’re probably ready to jump at the opportunity to watch something new by this amazing filmmaker duo. 

Their films are always visually stunning and have some form of sci-fi or supernatural element that is out of this world. This latest sci-fi horror story is no exception. The actual plot is rather small and simple, but the story evolves beautifully (and sometimes in terrifying ways, as well). You do not want to miss out on this one!

Continue reading our Synchronic movie review below.

Anthony Mackie and Jamie Dornan stars

The absolute star of Synchronic is definitely Anthony Mackie along with the plot. Jamie Dornan is the wingman to Anthony Mackie’s character – and I do mean that in the best sense possible, so it’s not to take anything away from Dornan’s performance. Just as was the case with The Fall series, I like Jamie Dornan playing characters that feel more realistic and less out of fanfiction.

Anthony Mackie is becoming an actor I am enjoying more and more as well. Sure, I liked him in the Avengers movies, but he was mostly a sidekick. This will surely change with the upcoming The Falcon and the Winter Soldier mini-series, but in the meantime, I love seeing him in these genre productions. He was also my favorite in the Netflix movie Outside the Wire which has just come out.

You might like: Our review of Outside the Wire which is out on Netflix now >

In Synchronic, Anthony Mackie plays the character of Steve. He has never really managed to find his place in life, so he jumps from one woman to the next, but would like something more solid. His dog is his only companion along with his best friend (and paramedic partner), Dennis, who is portrayed by Jamie Dornan.

His life is flipped upside down via two life-changing events that happen during the span of the 100-minute runtime.

Time-traveling via designer drug

As paramedics in New Orleans, Steve (Anthony Mackie) and Dennis (Jamie Dornan) are used to seeing all kinds of things. Still, a few very odd cases have something new in common; It would appear their patients have been taking a new designer drug prior to the events that lead to paramedics being called.

It turns out that this designer drug opens a gateway to another time. You stay in the exact same place, but simply in another time. The concept is explained wonderfully simple and essentially has to do with the drug opening up your consciousness to understand that time is not linear.

Essentially, this notion is nothing new. Surely, you’ve heard this in various sci-fi stories before. However, in Synchronic it’s taken to a new place that works perfectly for this story. Hell, I’d love to see a mini-series based on this exact concept!

Of course, being a black man in New Orleans and not knowing what time period, you will be taken to? Not the safest “trip”.

Watch Synchronic on VOD and Netflix

As already mentioned, Synchronic is a new movie by the filmmaker duo Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead. They’re both directors of the movie with the screenplay written by Justin Benson. This is their fourth movie as co-directors and I have loved every single one of their movies so far. This latest movie is no exception.

First came Resolution in 2012, followed by Spring in 2014, and then The Endless in 2017, which is linked with their first movie. If you like Synchronic and haven’t watched any of their previous movies, then you are in for a huge treat. And if you’re a fan of their three previous feature films, then you can get ready for another solid movie experience by this duo!

Up next for Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead is the Marvel series Moon Night starring May Calamawy, Ethan Hawke, and Oscar Isaac. They’ve co-directed the six episodes in the upcoming series, but are not attached as writers this time around, which is a first for them. Usually, Justin Benson writes their productions, which they then co-direct.

Personally, I am very excited to see what they can do with this Marvel series. Watching Synchronic certainly hasn’t made my expectations any smaller!

Synchronic is out in the US on Digital January 12, Blu-ray & DVD January 26, 2021. It will also be out in the UK on Digital from January 29, 2021. On April 16, 2021, Synchronic will also be out on Netflix in several countries.

Details

Directors: Justin Benson, Aaron Moorhead
Writer: Justin Benson
Stars: Jamie Dornan, Anthony Mackie, Katie Aselton