The Mandela Effect (4/5) – Movie Review

THE MANDELA EFFECT is a new Sci-Fi Thriller that works extremely well. The plot is brilliant on its own, but the actors make everything come together. Prepare to want to jump down the rabbit hole with this one. Read more in our The Mandela Effect movie review here!

The Mandela Effect is a Sci-Fi Thriller that should work perfectly for fans of these genres. It’s a rather short movie at just 1 hour and 20 minutes, but this just makes for a tight and strong story.

But be warned though, you might want to look up the whole “The Mandela Effect” afterward and that should truly mess with your mind. Then again, art does immitate life and The Mandela Effect is a perfect example of a Sci-Fi Thriller that does just that. 

Continue reading our The Mandela Effect movie review below.

Such a strong cast

The lead character in The Mandela Effect have to carry the entire plot of the movie. If you can’t buy into his beliefs, the story simply does not work. Fortunately, the lead character, Brendan, is portrayed by Charlie Hofheimer in a very strong and impressive manner.

You may recognize Charlie Hofheimer from his recurring roles on both 24: Legacy (2016-2017) and Mad Men (2010-2013). Finally, we get to see him in a lead role which he can easily pull off. Also, he was in the movie Would You Rather which was directed by the filmmaker behind The Mandela Effect.

Aleksa Palladino also plays a big part in the story as Claire, who is Brendan’s wife. You may have seen Aleksa Palladino in the new Scorsese Netflix movie The Irishman or the horror anthology Holidays where she was in the “Mother’s Day” segment.

The young Madeleine McGraw (Pacific Rim: Uprising) plays Sam, who is at the heart of the story, with Robin Lord Taylor as her uncle. We will soon see a lot more of Robin Lord Taylor since he’s in season 2 of the Netflix series You which premieres in December 2019.

In a smaller supporting role, we also see Ptolemy Slocum. The name might not be familiar but the face should be. He’s in the HBO series Westworld, The Man in the High Castle series and the recent anthology Portals. Finally, Ptolemy Slocum was also in Would You Rather.

This is what I want from a Sci-Fi Thriller

Being a fan of genre films and loving indie and low-budget movies, I watch a lot of movies. The Mandela Effect is definitely one of the best Sci-Fi Thrillers I’ve watched in a long time. Mostly because the story and characters keep me intrigued but also due to its style and vibe.

From very early on, the plot of The Mandela Effect manages to create an entire universe for itself. And yes, it does have elements that are inspired by other classic sci-fi movies, but it never loses itself.

The Mandela Effect should make you question a lot of things you know to be true. Because if you decide to look up some of the elements from this story afterward (like the whole “False Memory” phenomenon), you will most likely be jumping down the rabbit hole. Just as the main character in the movie did.

As humans, we just can’t help but question things. Nor should we. However, we also need to be ready for answers that our restricted minds might not be able to fully grasp. I love it when a movie has this kind of effect on me!

Don’t miss out on The Mandela Effect movie!

The Mandela Effect was directed and co-written by David Guy Levy with the other screenplay writer being Steffen Schlachtenhaufen. The two also made the horror-thriller Would You Rather back in 2012, which was reason enough for us to want to watch their latest movie. 

David Guy Levy is a wonderful filmmaker who always manages to draw in the audience and keep them in a vice grip. Something I always love from a movie! Also, Steffen Schlachtenhaufen clearly knows how to build a story that makes this kind of movie possible. I just really hope we won’t have to wait another seven years for their next joint effort.

While I must admit the trailer for The Mandela Effect really made me want to watch the movie, it does also contain a few spoilers. In other words, if you feel the need to watch the trailer, make sure you just watch the first half. It will give you plenty to want to watch this brilliant sci-fi thriller!

The Mandela Effect (2019) will be out in theaters and on VOD on December 6, 2019.

Details

Director: David Guy Levy
Writers: David Guy Levy, Steffen Schlachtenhaufen
Stars: Charlie Hofheimer, Aleksa Palladino, Robin Lord Taylor, Clarke Peters, Madeleine McGraw

Plot

A man becomes obsessed with facts and events that have been collectively misremembered by thousands of people. Believing the phenomena to be the symptom of something larger, his obsession eventually leads him to question reality itself.