806 reviews
I feel like sometimes great movies don't get enough recognition, films like Prisoners, Enemy, or Predestination.
This film impacted me heavily, and it kept me thinking and thinking about it for a week after I saw it. Ethan Hawke gave a great performance, which keeps me wondering why he ever agreed to do "The Purge", but the real standout is Sarah Snook, who is breathtaking in her role.
One of the best things about this film was that when I thought it was going in one direction, it took a hard right hand turn. Not many movies make me doubt myself like that. The direction was clean and solid, the cinematography was immaculate, and the special and visual effects were outstanding. Everything about the look of the film was perfect.
My only complaints are that the movie's first act was a little slow. However, as the film progresses into the second and third act, the long first act is absolutely necessary. If it was a little shorter, it would've worked so well.
Confusing? Yes. Enjoyable? Big time.
If you can see Predestination, definitely do so. 8/10
This film impacted me heavily, and it kept me thinking and thinking about it for a week after I saw it. Ethan Hawke gave a great performance, which keeps me wondering why he ever agreed to do "The Purge", but the real standout is Sarah Snook, who is breathtaking in her role.
One of the best things about this film was that when I thought it was going in one direction, it took a hard right hand turn. Not many movies make me doubt myself like that. The direction was clean and solid, the cinematography was immaculate, and the special and visual effects were outstanding. Everything about the look of the film was perfect.
My only complaints are that the movie's first act was a little slow. However, as the film progresses into the second and third act, the long first act is absolutely necessary. If it was a little shorter, it would've worked so well.
Confusing? Yes. Enjoyable? Big time.
If you can see Predestination, definitely do so. 8/10
"Predestination" is an incredibly original and creative film, employing what may seem like 'common' aspects of the science-fiction genre, and putting a darker, grimmer twist on them. Time travel is handled quite well in this Australian film, focusing less on the effects of travelling back (and forth) in time than other sci-fi films. "Predestination" uses decidedly odd pacing, beginning with a 'bang' and following that up with almost an hour of subdued plot. But oddly enough, these moments of -almost- pure dialogue and occasional flashbacks never become boring, but rather deepen the film's characters and their back-stories. The cast performances are what really make this movie 'shine'. Ethan Hawke, as usual, delivers an almost flawless performance as the unnamed lead, and Sarah Snook, an Australian newcomer, surprises with her wide range of acting abilities. Overall, the third feature film by the Spierig Brothers is a surprisingly original, daring, and genre-bending film.
- cashton-859-438869
- Sep 18, 2014
- Permalink
Sadly I had to travel to an old and tiny cinema to see this movie as it didn't play in the major cinemas on the Gold Coast...after watching this movie i have absolutely no clue why.
I truly enjoyed every minute of this film, all of the actors did a great job, especially Ethan Hawk. I did see some of the plot lines coming and still got a bit of a surprise in how they delivered those plot lines...if you get a chance and like a sci-fi with brains then go and watch this!!!
I would definitely not compare it to looper (just to add to the end) yes looper and predestination are about time travel, but thats were it ends... :)
I truly enjoyed every minute of this film, all of the actors did a great job, especially Ethan Hawk. I did see some of the plot lines coming and still got a bit of a surprise in how they delivered those plot lines...if you get a chance and like a sci-fi with brains then go and watch this!!!
I would definitely not compare it to looper (just to add to the end) yes looper and predestination are about time travel, but thats were it ends... :)
This movie was a total mind bleep. Allow me to take you through my emotional time line of the movie.
Phase 1--Excited. Electric beginning. Action right away with some good special effects. Immediately drawn in.
Phase 2--A tad bored. Story time. Nice story but not what I came for. I came for a good time travel sci-fi not a tragic life story, however unique.
Phase 3--Layers begin to be peeled back. Start to see what's really going on. Mind starts to melt.
Phase 4--The end. The brain has exploded trying to comprehend it all.
It was a crazy series of events, an insane temporal loop, it was fantastic.
Phase 1--Excited. Electric beginning. Action right away with some good special effects. Immediately drawn in.
Phase 2--A tad bored. Story time. Nice story but not what I came for. I came for a good time travel sci-fi not a tragic life story, however unique.
Phase 3--Layers begin to be peeled back. Start to see what's really going on. Mind starts to melt.
Phase 4--The end. The brain has exploded trying to comprehend it all.
It was a crazy series of events, an insane temporal loop, it was fantastic.
- view_and_review
- Jan 23, 2016
- Permalink
- A_Different_Drummer
- Nov 30, 2014
- Permalink
Interesting and captivating with a new twist to the classic formula. Great cinematography and excellent acting contribute to this refreshing Sci-Fi/Time Travel film.
Rising actress Sarah Snook with a stellar performance is backed by solid performances of both Hawke and Taylor.
Such movies usually suffer from failed attempts at originality and complexity boarding on confusion. This movie avoids both by not trying to surprise and shock the viewer but rather act more as a mystery novel - unfolding with precision, letting the viewers participate in the events and discoveries to come. Much like a good old Agatha Christie book would successfully do.
The Spierig brothers keep getting better with each movie and this is a great step forward in what seems to be a promising career.
There is nothing new under the Time Travel sun but the delivery is excellent which makes this movie worth watching - at least twice, as any good Time Travel movie requires.
Rising actress Sarah Snook with a stellar performance is backed by solid performances of both Hawke and Taylor.
Such movies usually suffer from failed attempts at originality and complexity boarding on confusion. This movie avoids both by not trying to surprise and shock the viewer but rather act more as a mystery novel - unfolding with precision, letting the viewers participate in the events and discoveries to come. Much like a good old Agatha Christie book would successfully do.
The Spierig brothers keep getting better with each movie and this is a great step forward in what seems to be a promising career.
There is nothing new under the Time Travel sun but the delivery is excellent which makes this movie worth watching - at least twice, as any good Time Travel movie requires.
Good analogy but incomprehensible for my linear thinking brain. I agree causality is generally the main problem in movies with time travel and generally it has often been tried to be avoided but in this movie it is put at the center of the plot for the twist. Bold move. That is why after having watched the movie, I had this feeling of incompleteness while my poor brain try to justify the plot. Even having thought about the delayed-choice quantum eraser experiment did not help much. I need to let it go with 6.
A must watch for anyone who enjoys a mind bending, soul imploding film. Although the first scene is action packed, not much is understood as to the who's and why's. After that, and for only a few minutes, the movie seemed slow and without direction. Soon after it becomes intriguing, suspenseful, and where the direction of the film is going (although not yet understood). The Director was able to clearly explain the unexplainable at the very end of the movie. So, for those that sometimes walk out of a movie not understanding what happened, I can assure you that will not be the case here. I give many kudos to the original writing, screen writing, directing, and acting. This movie will be ranked as one of my all time best films ever.
- moneyminder
- Nov 23, 2014
- Permalink
- TheOneThatYouWanted
- May 15, 2016
- Permalink
As a fan of Sci-fi and the concept of time travel interests me, I thought i'd give this ago as it sounded interesting. At the start of the movie a person starts telling a story to which the other character acts surprised about something. Problem is...is that it was really obvious. A little further in you can predictably guess who the bomber is. The story starts at the beginning and ends about 20 minutes before the end to which then they get around to the bomber and time travel bit. Even then things just did not make sense. It was really boring and tedious and the end conclusion as a said before was predictable and not worth sitting through the rest of the film for confirmation.
- JustS0meDude
- Apr 30, 2023
- Permalink
- gregsrants
- Oct 22, 2014
- Permalink
it's been a while since i've been this satisfied with a movie, it's compelling, thought provoking and extremely clever film that keeps you guessing to the last frame.
excellent storytelling thanks for the great work from the directors/writers despite the low budget they pulled out a great movie with good production values, sets, costumes and special effects.
powerhouse performances from the two leads Ethan Hawke as usual is a very serious actor though he haven't been in any good movies in the past few years but you can see that he's making a comeback with this one as well as this years magnificent BOYHOOD but his performance in PREDESTINATION is a very strong one because he had to handle such a very complicated character, same thing goes for Sarah Snook.
the less i say about the plot the better, this is the kind of movies where you have focus throughout the whole runtime of it trying to figure out where is it going and any detail that you miss might ruin the whole experience for you but hey don't worry there's an explanation for everything here.
this movie is one of this years' personal favorites as well as the indie of the year so far (still have to see BIRDMAN).
excellent storytelling thanks for the great work from the directors/writers despite the low budget they pulled out a great movie with good production values, sets, costumes and special effects.
powerhouse performances from the two leads Ethan Hawke as usual is a very serious actor though he haven't been in any good movies in the past few years but you can see that he's making a comeback with this one as well as this years magnificent BOYHOOD but his performance in PREDESTINATION is a very strong one because he had to handle such a very complicated character, same thing goes for Sarah Snook.
the less i say about the plot the better, this is the kind of movies where you have focus throughout the whole runtime of it trying to figure out where is it going and any detail that you miss might ruin the whole experience for you but hey don't worry there's an explanation for everything here.
this movie is one of this years' personal favorites as well as the indie of the year so far (still have to see BIRDMAN).
I don't know where to start with this film, it's got so much going for it and yet it comes across as dull and pointless, plus your brain will hurt after watching it.
The basic story/idea is interesting but it's told in such dull confusing way that you kinda don't care once you get to the end, in fact you feel a sense of relief because it's over ! Not what you want in a film really. It's a bit all or nothing aswell!
The time travel stuff is decent, I especially like the item used for the time travelling. Also love Ethan Hawke, he's a great actor and I enjoy watching him on screen (even if he stars in some odd films). Beautiful eyes too.
The basic story/idea is interesting but it's told in such dull confusing way that you kinda don't care once you get to the end, in fact you feel a sense of relief because it's over ! Not what you want in a film really. It's a bit all or nothing aswell!
The time travel stuff is decent, I especially like the item used for the time travelling. Also love Ethan Hawke, he's a great actor and I enjoy watching him on screen (even if he stars in some odd films). Beautiful eyes too.
- gromit-03057
- Sep 8, 2023
- Permalink
Out of Australia, Predestination is directed by Michael Spierig and Peter Spierig (who also scores the music). The Spierig's also adapt the screenplay from Robert A. Heinlein's story "All You Zombies". It stars Ethan Hawke, Sarah Snook, Noah Taylor, Christopher Kirby and Madeleine West. Ben Nott is the cinematographer.
If we throw up a simple synopsis for this pic, it's about a time travelling agent who goes back in time to stop a killer known as "The Fizzle Bomber" - whilst helping a trans-gender man who has just told him a fascinating and emotionally wrought story. But simple is not a word readily associated with the Spierig's deliriously complicated mind meld of a movie.
The first half of film is the story being relayed by Snook to Hawke, and then the film spirals into a world of temporal loops and frazzled paradoxes. This demands the utmost attention from the viewer, a piece guaranteed to have you asking tricky questions, and also likely to have you rewinding some scenes for clarity - like I did!
This is not an actioner, this is very cerebral and sedate in tone, adult science fiction that's as audacious as it is clever. Snook is quite simply outstanding, the various layers she gives to her characterisations grip with intensity and emotional heart tugs. Hawke once again is reassuringly great - in that how he doesn't need to overact, he recognises the tone needed here, whilst knowing it's wise to let his co-star take the main stage.
Thematically the story blends its dizzying thoughts about time and its impact on the human race, with that of our basic human condition, that of identity. This is a very rewarding production for those who wont be popping off to make a cup of coffee during the viewing, it's hoped that in time this will garner more fans and be seen as something of a sci-fi gem. 8/10
If we throw up a simple synopsis for this pic, it's about a time travelling agent who goes back in time to stop a killer known as "The Fizzle Bomber" - whilst helping a trans-gender man who has just told him a fascinating and emotionally wrought story. But simple is not a word readily associated with the Spierig's deliriously complicated mind meld of a movie.
The first half of film is the story being relayed by Snook to Hawke, and then the film spirals into a world of temporal loops and frazzled paradoxes. This demands the utmost attention from the viewer, a piece guaranteed to have you asking tricky questions, and also likely to have you rewinding some scenes for clarity - like I did!
This is not an actioner, this is very cerebral and sedate in tone, adult science fiction that's as audacious as it is clever. Snook is quite simply outstanding, the various layers she gives to her characterisations grip with intensity and emotional heart tugs. Hawke once again is reassuringly great - in that how he doesn't need to overact, he recognises the tone needed here, whilst knowing it's wise to let his co-star take the main stage.
Thematically the story blends its dizzying thoughts about time and its impact on the human race, with that of our basic human condition, that of identity. This is a very rewarding production for those who wont be popping off to make a cup of coffee during the viewing, it's hoped that in time this will garner more fans and be seen as something of a sci-fi gem. 8/10
- hitchcockthelegend
- May 13, 2016
- Permalink
No need to give the game away: this adaptation of a Heinlein classic short is nicely directed and acted, but tries a bit hard to create the suspense of its twist. This makes the movie long in parts as it works on its building of clues, but most viewers will have guessed the ending well before the finish. All the cast put in convincing performances, with Snook stealing the show in what is essentially a three actor movie. Some back-story items are interesting- particularly the training of in-flight courtesans for the all-male astronauts - but other parts look more like fillers. In summary the movie is solid - but not exceptional in the way of, say, Inception. However - it is great to see Australia contributing to the SciFi body of work and there is nothing to be ashamed of in this contribution.
- account-85-622099
- Aug 25, 2014
- Permalink
Predestination is beautifully filmed and acted, and that would almost make it a good movie. Almost. Truly, I found it compelling from the very first pictures, and I enjoyed the eye-and-ear-candy until the end.
Despite its extreme predictability. For a number of reasons, every trick, every bit of smoke and mirror is instantly and completely see-through, and the entire jigsaw is understood before the half-mark. All that's left is to see how it will develop in the details. I could do with predictable, but what really reduces the value of Predestination is that the story keeps kicking itself in the gonads.
That's the kind of stories we write when we are 12, and that we trash right away because they never work. Not without too many convenient extraordinary occurrences. Not without being contrived to the point of ridicule. And above all not with the human factor. Respect of chronology is not enough. Characters' actions need to make sense. Here they never do, neither the agent's, nor the Bureau's.
I still recommend to watch it once for its qualities and despite its idiocy. It may even make you dizzy if you're not used to time travel.
Despite its extreme predictability. For a number of reasons, every trick, every bit of smoke and mirror is instantly and completely see-through, and the entire jigsaw is understood before the half-mark. All that's left is to see how it will develop in the details. I could do with predictable, but what really reduces the value of Predestination is that the story keeps kicking itself in the gonads.
That's the kind of stories we write when we are 12, and that we trash right away because they never work. Not without too many convenient extraordinary occurrences. Not without being contrived to the point of ridicule. And above all not with the human factor. Respect of chronology is not enough. Characters' actions need to make sense. Here they never do, neither the agent's, nor the Bureau's.
I still recommend to watch it once for its qualities and despite its idiocy. It may even make you dizzy if you're not used to time travel.
- voyou-703-655350
- Nov 25, 2014
- Permalink
Twisty, turny and mind-bending, one viewing won't be enough for this time travelling head scratcher. Two plots – one revolving around Ethan Hawke's temporal agent seeking to stop a terrorist, the other following the life of a precocious orphan who isn't quite like everybody else – are intricately and intelligently woven together to not only build tension but to explore provocative themes to spoiler-y to mention here. In fact, Predestination is one of those movies its hard to say much of anything about. It's such a meticulously drip-fed thriller – slowly and superbly unravelling as each and every minute of the runtime ticks on – that the real joy here is unwrapping and grasping (or attempting to any rate) what it is you're actually witnessing. In his second collaboration with Aussie filmmakers the Spierig Brothers, Hawke is in career-best form as the veteran time traveller on the brink of burning out, whilst relative newcomer Sarah Snook (born and bred South Australian) is outstanding in a complex and demanding role that has rightly grabbed the attention of Hollywood. The Spierig's also demonstrate their diversity in both the writing and directing departments, going from the enjoyable but tonally lightweight splatter-fest Daybreakers to this altogether more mature, thematically heavy and narratively elaborate sci-fi saga that still manages to maintain a high excitement level. This year's Looper or Inception.
- Troy_Campbell
- Sep 2, 2014
- Permalink
Predestination is kind of like a good movie in reverse - it starts off interesting, with some breadcrumbs tossed about here and there, but the more you watch and find out, the stupider the movie gets, until the end, when you wish you had one of the guns that Ethan Hawke used in the movie, so you could shoot yourself.
Never have I gotten to the end of a movie with more hope that I would not be as disappointed as I thought I was going to be, only to have that disappointment expanded by a factor of 10.
If you are wanting to off yourself and are waiting for that final push, watch this movie, it will really make you wonder what you have been waiting for.
Never have I gotten to the end of a movie with more hope that I would not be as disappointed as I thought I was going to be, only to have that disappointment expanded by a factor of 10.
If you are wanting to off yourself and are waiting for that final push, watch this movie, it will really make you wonder what you have been waiting for.
- rorge_retson
- Oct 20, 2017
- Permalink
- makkus-98660
- Mar 16, 2022
- Permalink