Synchronic (2019) Review

 

Synchronic (2019)

Synchronic follows paramedics, Steve and Dennis, who are called to a string of grisly deaths, chalking it up to a new drug that’s floating around. Steve, however, makes a shocking discovery about the drug following the disappearance of Dennis’ daughter. 

Going into some movies completely blind is honestly one of the best feelings, especially for a movie like this where you never know where it’s going to go. This time travel, drug-induced mind trip really plays off of the lesser talked about aspect of certain drugs, in that they almost unlock something in the brain. It causes time to appear linear to the user, instead of relative, causing time to be happening all at once instead of just within your point of reference; unlocking a sort of third eye (which is what I believe Steve’s “tumor” actually was, only forming after his taking of Synchronic).

Meshing this aspect in with the overall story made for a really unique and high stakes movie, with there always being a danger in Steve’s trips to the past. It’s a danger that feels metrical to his situation because he’s a man yearning to escape death, instead facing it head on in his attempt bring back Brianna. It’s that yearning that makes his sacrifice all the more gut wrenching because he’ll never get to experience life in the same way, likely living toward the rare, unexpected death as foretold by Dennis in their final conversation. 

As with Dennis, his story was the one area where the story lacked in depth, relying on repetition that borderlines painful when looked at in correlation with Steve’s life. We never really care about his plight considering the internal and external struggle Steve is battling in his bid to get Brianna back. 

We get a small but pretty effective cast starring Ally Ioannides, Jamie Dornan, and Anthony Mackie. Mackie really beings home a convincing and killer performance that tackles subtle race issues and deeply personal feelings of doubt and self worth, all while never going too far in his mindful exploration of time and space. 

Synchronic, directed by Justin Benson, is a fascinating new spin on the well trodden time travel genre, using a steady mix of bloody horror and mind bending science fiction elements that create a uniquely profound experience that addresses the possibility of drugs unlocking more to brain and the dangers that can present. 

8.6/10