Synchronic (2020) - In Theaters

Streaming Services: In Theaters
Movie Name/Year: Synchronic (2020)
Genre: Drama, Horror, Sci-Fi
Length: 96 minutes
Rating: R
Production/Distribution: Patriot Pictures, Pfaff & Pfaff Productions, Love & Death Productions (LDP), Rustic Films, Well Go USA Entertainment, Signature Entertainment, Umbrella Entertainment
VVS Films
Director: Justin Benson, Aaron Moorhead
Writer: Justin Benson
Actors: Jamie Dornan, Anthony Mackie, Katie Aselton, Ally Ioannides, Bill Oberst Jr., Natasha Tina Liu, Aaron Groben, Martin Bats Bradford, Devyn A. Tyler, Betsy Holt, Lawrence Turner, Shane Brady, Kate Adair
 
Blurb from IMDb: Two New Orleans paramedics' lives are ripped apart after they encounter a series of horrific deaths linked to a designer drug with bizarre, otherworldly effects.
 

Selina’s Point of View:
I had the opportunity to see Synchronic yesterday, and I absolutely jumped at the chance.
 
Now, if you are in a part of the world where COVID cases are on the rise – don’t go to a theater, even if they’re open. If the numbers are steady or declining, but the theater does not have safety procedures in place that are strictly followed – DON’T go. Only go to the theater if it is as safe as possible for you and everyone around you. After my review, I’ll go into the safety precautions in place at my local theater.
 
On to the review.
 
I was seriously looking forward to Synchronic. I adore Anthony Mackie (Altered Carbon, Avengers: Endgame, IO) and I enjoy a good time bending sci-fi. So, this was right up my alley.
 
The first thing I latched onto was just how organic the dialogue was. When Mackie and Jamie Dornan (Robin Hood, Untogether, The Fall) are bantering, their lines feel natural. Sometimes they joke about sensitive subjects or roast each other, but it always feels like a friendship thing. It never comes off as obnoxious or heavy-handed. That’s not a simple thing to accomplish. It’s a testament to how talented the writer is, if it was pre-written, or the director, if he simply allowed them to ad-lib.

Am I now obsessed with the directors/writer, Aaron Moorhead (The Endless, A Glaring Emission, Spring) and Justin Benson (The Endless, Spring, Resolution), the way coming attractions insisted I would be? No. I’m a little more curious now than I was at the end of V/H/S Viral (2014) – but hardly obsessed.
 
What they put out was good. Still, it’s not something I’ll look back on as a favorite.
 
Although it’s a very interesting take on the time bending sub-genre, there were some missteps.
 
The first half-hour of the film felt fragmented. The scenes didn’t really flow well, and it made time move very slowly as I fought to stay interested. It wasn’t until the story really began to delve into the purpose of Mackie’s character that I felt myself sucked into what I was seeing.
 
Regardless, I’d still recommend Synchronic. It was a great return to the cinema for me.
 

With that said, let me talk a little bit about the theater that I frequent. I go to a ShowcaseCinema. They are currently working with J.S. Held, which is a firm comprised of experts (including those from health and safety areas), to produce the best possible environment for movie goers to return to.
 
Their new safety regulations include sanitizing methods, social distancing, reduced capacity, a new air purifying system, contactless payment options, covered containers at concession stands, protective shields for their employees, and mask requirements. From what I observed, they are holding employees and guests strictly to their new rules.
 
I feel safe at the theater I go to. The managers and employees are working hard to keep it up to COVID standards. Still, if numbers in my area start going up again – I will still stop going (although I live in NY, I moved to ‘the sticks’ last year – I’m not near the hot spots anymore). If it seems like the company is starting to slack on their new rules, that would cause me to stop too.
 
Be safe. That’s the only rule right now. Everything will return to normal eventually. Just remember that.
 

Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score – 81%
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score – None
Metascore – 68/100
Metacritic User Score – None
IMDB Score – 6.7/10
 
Trust the Dice: Selina’s Rating – 3.5/5
 
Movie Trailer: