HYPNOTIC (2023)

HYPNOTIC (2023)

Tagline: Control is an illusion.

(Mystery, Thriller, Sci-Fi Mind Bender) [R].

Are you familiar with the concept of hypnotics?

In this one Detective Danny Rourke is undergoing some occupational therapy due to having some grief about his missing daughter. Things ratchet up when he and his partner Nicks track a bank robber who they discover uses hypnotic powers to override the will of others to do his bidding and Danny becomes aware there may be a connection between this mysterious man and his missing daughter. 

First off, I can’t believe this thing isn’t getting more attention. This is a freakin mind-bending blast with just about every element I would have wanted out of this one. It’s incredibly well written and to be honest it had me guessing down to the credits to try and figure out what was really going on. I see people ripping on this or just being blah about it and I am just kind of stunned. Thank God my reviews are not based on what other people are doing and saying. 

If there is any complaint here it’s probably regarding Ben Affleck’s acting. I do really like Ben (ZACK SNYDER’S JUSTICE LEAGUE), but sometimes it feels like he’s kind of mailing it in. Most of this thing he does a great job as Danny, but there are other parts where I found myself thinking “Why isn’t he putting more effort into this scene”. Outside of that, I can probably see where this plot gets a bit too convoluted for some almost feeling like something we would be getting from Christopher Nolan and not Robert Rodriguez. Rodriguez is known for directing a wide range of films including things like ALITA: BATTLE ANGEL, MACHETE KILLS, and the SPY KIDS series among a host of other films. I thought this thing was brilliantly handled and the direction and cinematography are top-notch. I guess how you receive this film depends on what you were expecting to get. I thought from the previews we’d be getting one thing and we got something else and I was totally thrilled with that. 

Acting wise aside from Ben, we’ve got some pretty fantastic talents here. Alice Braga (PREDATORS) crushes her role in this as Diana Cruz. Then again, watch any movie she’s in and she is usually the bright spot or one of the bright spots. William Fichtner (ARMAGEDDON) takes on the role of Dellrayne and is his usual intimidating self. I thought he was basically perfect in this as the dude you can’t stand with an almost Kilgrave (from JESSICA JONES) like quality about him. To a lesser extent, this is also a good outing for both Jackie Earle Haley (WATCHMEN) and Dayo Okeniyi (TERMINATOR: GENISYS), but I do wish both had gotten more screen time. The same can be said for Hala Finley (BACK ROADS) who plays Minnie. This is kind of embarrassing but when I heard “Minnie” in this movie, I knew it was a reference to Danny’s daughter, but I had no idea that was her name. I thought it was meant to be an affectionate nickname. 

This movie reminds me a lot of some of the other mind-benders I’ve seen, but I don’t want to say which ones because the plot twists here are really where the movie delivers most. I actually walked out of this really thrilled I saw this one and in a lot of sci-fi mind benders I walk out thinking “Well crap, that was a downer I wish I had never bothered with”. This is not to say that depressing movies can’t be good also. However, I just don’t really love walking out of any movie thinking I need to spend 5 weeks at Knott’s Berry Farm trying to get over. I say Knott’s Berry Farm because no one can afford to spend even 5 days at freakin Disneyland or Disney World unless they take out a loan, want to max out every credit card they have, or just won the lottery. 

Anyway, this thing is a gem especially if you like Alice as much as I do. I give this thing a solid 5 out of 7. I would definitely watch it again.

GRAPHICS ARE THE PROPERTY OF BLUE RIDER PICTURES AND ARE USED FOR REVIEW PURPOSES ONLY.