Today’s quick review: Synchronic. Steve (Anthony Mackie), a paramedic with a substance abuse problem, and his partner Dennis (Jamie Dornan) are haunted by a series of bizarre deaths linked to Synchronic, a designer drug that can supposedly alter the flow of time. When Dennis’ daughter Brianna (Ally Ioannides) goes missing after taking Synchronic, Steve begins experimenting with the drug to get her back.
Synchronic is a science fiction drama about a mysterious drug that takes people to other points in time. The movie follows the fraying personal lives of two paramedics as they investigate something they cannot explain. Synchronic has a moody atmosphere, places a heavy emphasis on its characters, and uses nonlinear storytelling and unusual camerawork to keep the viewer on edge. However, its story and characters leave something to be desired.
Synchronic suffers from two main issues. The first is that its characters are difficult to like. Steve and Dennis are both struggling with believable problems, but their personalities are passive and bitter. The personal half of the story is a cavalcade of bad news with nothing to break it up. The friendship between Steve and Dennis gives the movie a glimmer of optimism, but in general they feed each other’s worst traits.
The second issue Synchronic has is that it does not fully capitalize on its premise. The drug makes for an intriguing mystery in the early stages of the movie, and Steve’s attempts to understand it are good sci-fi fodder. But none of the drug trips themselves are that interesting. The drug offers glimpses of the past, but the past holds very little that matters to the characters. As such, the whole endeavor feels pointless.
Still, Synchronic earns points for weaving together a science fiction premise with a personal story. Steve goes through a lot in the weeks the story covers, and the movie does a good job of conveying just how much it all is weighing on him. Likewise, the paramedic angle gives the story a unique perspective that ties in well with the movie’s themes of drug use and unintended consequences. Synchronic is fertile ground for storytelling.
Whether Synchronic is a worthwhile watch will depend on your tastes. Fans of science fiction who are drawn to novel ideas, regardless of their outcomes, will find that the movie is a solid addition to the genre. However, the movie’s dour tone and limited use of its premise will make Synchronic a miss for many viewers. Those curious should give it a shot. Anyone who is borderline may want to skip it.
For a more proactive thriller about a mind-altering drug, try Limitless. For a dark thriller about a drug with terrible side effects, try Urge. For a budget sci-fi drama that deals with time travel in a more systematic way, try Primer. For a surreal drama about the harmful effects of drug abuse, try A Scanner Darkly or Requiem for a Dream. For a surreal psychological thriller with a similar tone and less explanation, try Enemy.
[6.2 out of 10 on IMDB](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9016974/). I give it a 6.0 to 6.5 for an intriguing premise with some missed potential.