Directors: Justin Benson & Aaron Moorhead

Story By: Justin Benson

Cast: Anthony Mackie, Jamie Dornan, & Ally Loannides

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Chile… I said it in a past post, and after watching this film I think it’s important for me to say it again… 

“I believe/feel that some folks in Hollywood are taking advantage of streaming, and just giving us all of their experimental shyt to see what sticks.”

And I’on like that. LOL 

This is the second film via Netflix with Anthony Mackie that really wasn’t up to par. Is Anthony reading these scripts carefully? He is 2 for 2 right now with me. I didn’t even think the premise was cute or interesting. 

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Below are my grades for key components in #Synchronic that I find to be key in any story/film/series—Theme, Plot, Pacing, and Character Arc/Development. 

Additionally, I have added an entertainment factor scale to help you determine whether or not the film is something you’d be interested in taking time out of your weekend, evening, or day to watch. The scale range consists of: Worth the Watch, Interesting Enough (if looking for something new to start), & Don’t Rush.

I have also added a few non-spoiling thoughts, wonderings, and comments as I watched the film to help give some rationale for my grades and entertainment scale.

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Theme: C

Plot: D

Pacing: B

Character Arc/Development: D

General Entertainment Factor: Don’t Watch (first time rating…)

Film Enthusiast Entertainment Factor: Don’t Watch (first time rating…)

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TAKEAWAYS:

1. Anthony Mackie delivered a strong performance. 👍🏾👍🏾

2. Messaging was very cloudy. It seemed that a main theme was around the ways we find/need/give meaning to our lives, and this couldn’t have been more apparent via Mackie’s character and the premise…but there wasn’t any grace nor true development with this theme. It was just thrown at us as if trying to get it out the way. 🥴🤦🏾‍♂️

3. I was confused about the film’s direction. Was this supposed to be a serious drama? A comedy drama? A simple drama? There were moments that felt awkward with, and different from, the storyline…especially the comedy. Nothing landed or felt authentic. 🤷🏾‍♂️🤦🏾‍♂️👎🏾

4. Pacing was decent, and is possibly the best thing about this film… (shout out to the editing team, I guess?) Now it does move a little fast which impacted the character arc and theme, but in terms of the events…it moves well. 👍🏾

5. To piggyback off point #3…that snake back and forth…what the hell was that? 👀🤦🏾‍♂️

6. I really wish there was more purpose and intentionality placed upon the different dimensions. For me, they gave Scooby Doo mysteries meets PBS Wishbone travels…👀🤷🏾‍♂️👎🏾👎🏾👎🏾

7. This was some pretty bad character development. I mean…Mackie’s character was thrown a personal conflict that was obviously random (we were just “told” the conflicts, but never saw him actually struggle with it…), and was only meant to help give the plot some gas. Unfortunately, the gas was the wrong type, or the writer only had enough for “5.00 on pump 1”, or both…🤦🏾‍♂️👎🏾

8. That ending sucked turtle nuts. 🤷🏾‍♂️👎🏾

9. Phew, that marriage and pain escalated quickly. 👀🥴🤦🏾‍♂️

10. This storyline…my goodness. I honestly can’t think of one moment that was memorable. Characters just seemed to act and move through different scenes. 🤦🏾‍♂️👎🏾

11. okay, I lied…seeing the Wooly Mammoth was a moment I liked. 👀🤷🏾‍♂️😂

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Overall, #Synchronic is Fox’s 911-meets-PBS’ Wishbone-meets-Bliss on Amazon Prime. It is yet another film where it seems that creators took advantage of streaming and just threw out some experimental shyt to see if it would stick. Also, this is Mackie’s 2nd Netflix film where he was clearly the only strong aspect…but seriously, Mackie needs to start reading these scripts more carefully because this film didn’t deserve him.