The Scopia Effect (2014) User Reviews

Arty camera angles and multiple stories don't make a good movie

[krismeulemans · 5/10 · 26 May 2015]

I got put off in this movie straight from the start by the ridiculous portrayal of the hypnosis session. Suspension of disbelief, I know it and even that didn't work, it was just too bad. At least do a little research.

However, let that not spoil what can possibly a great movie. The soundscapes were ominous and promising and it looked like this film had an interesting structure, weaving past lives into the present. Unfortunately, the cuts ended up being too erratic, even arty jump-cuts need some sort of logic, even if it's dreamlike logic, but even dreams make more sense than the edits in this movie.

One sure thing is that the filmmaker knows how to use a camera. There are some nice shots in the movie and there is a general line in the way the movie is told visually, so some kudos's for that.

The acting is good, although after a while I was dreading the cuts back to real life, which were an exercise in various ways of screaming and acting crazy. Yes, sure, these are meant to portray the gradual decline and loss of reality of the protagonist but when gradual means 'shout a bit louder and act even crazier', it gets too much. I was almost happy with the ending in this case, which isn't a good thing.

Overall, it seems the director took on a project where he could deliver the visual and auditory angle, but didn't put enough thought into the storytelling and directive side. Give this man a good scriptwriter and a bit more experience, and I'm sure we'll see a lot better things coming.

2 hours of random flashbacks

[bainz · 3/10 · 18 May 2015]

If you enjoy random nonsensical flashbacks from different eras for 2 hours, sandwiched in between scenes of a lady screaming and acting crazy...maybe this movie is for you.

I'm not even joking, this is what happens over the course of 2 hours...the "payoff" at the end wasn't worth the time. Picturesque scenes and sappy moments don't automatically provoke emotion - which was clearly the goal here as the plot was non-existent.

Well, at least it's not 3 hours like Cloud Atlas. A movie along similar lines which is much better would be "The Fountain", directed by Darren Aronofsky, starring Hugh Jackman.

I want my time back

[mauricio-leyzaola · 3/10 · 16 May 2015]

It is not a total disaster, I mean the movie has a crazy plot and it goes slowly. I was expecting (from some very optimistic reviewer here) something really original, scary and unpredictable.

It turned out to be original, but that's all for what its worth it. The acting is average at best. Around 3/4 of the movie I began to figure it out, and the result wasn't as unpredictable as I was expecting. There are some violence parts, but really nothing to be scared of. So I could not rate this movie as horror; probably an insane thriller is where it belongs to.

It is a shame because the idea probably with a better plot and direction could be a good thing, but it is not.

I stress you not to waste your time and look something else. I gave it a 3/10 because it could have been worse.

it is terrible

[ReviewerBrianTopp · 1/10 · 21 June 2015]

I am not teenager and I like horror movies with character building and slow pace with a great plot. This movie is a blatant rip off movies like the fountain and the cloud atlas.

Please ignore Brian review where he brags how fantastic his review is while wearing tight jeans, smoke with a pipe and grow a neck beard.

This movie falls short with poor camera angles, story jump and weak acting. You spend the entire time going OK we get it, she's going insane.

There are far more interesting and original horror movies out there and this is not one of them.

The Worst camera experience ever

[kimnisar · 2/10 · 11 May 2015]

OK, this is my first review and watching his movie compelled me to make an account and write a review in order to remind and aware others to not to waste your 1 hour 45 minutes on this totally insane and psychopathic movie.

The first and most irritating thing throughout the movie is the way it is directed. The camera focuses on peripheral environment rather than the characters and it drives you insane too. I think the director wanted to make his audience feel the insanity the protagonist was going through but this has completely ruined and spoiled the movie.

Next, the story line itself is shown in a very complex manner which further adds to your insanity. Multiple lives in one past life makes it very difficult to contain. The acting is above average.

All in all, avoid this movie.

C- I watched it once and never again

[ledryno · 4/10 · 12 May 2015]

Basia starts remembering strange and disturbing things after her therapist guides her through a hypnotic timeline regression. Her new memories and waking hallucinations affect her job and personal life.

The storyline repeatedly shifts between past and present time to reflect what's going on with Basia. It confused me because I didn't understand the connection between Basia and these past events. And after I did make the connection I was still left wondering why the characters from past times all died in similar ways. There's also no explanation how or why Basia's therapist is involved outside the therapy sessions.

The movie was confusing at first and, while it was, kept my interest. After I was able to grasp what the memories represented there wasn't anything more to keep my interest, but I watched to the end anyway. I thought the ending was both dissatisfying and hopeless.

A rather proselytizing movie

[fleroux-96950 · 5/10 · 5 July 2022]

I believe the director/writer was young and just had to share his newfound belief in reincarnation. Although he loses track of where he's at a few times and seems to lose track about who is being reincarnated.

For part of the movie Basai is reincarnated of her look alike, then she's actually the reincarnation of her look alikes husband. The only way for her to be saved is to be killed, by her look alikes husband because she is actually a reincarnation of his friend who tries to kill him and her.

The director/writer just got into reincarnation and tried to make it interesting.

There was not a great amount of nudity at the beginning. I can say that although she was butt naked, I couldn't see anything. At the end she's but naked and blurred out. I gave it five stars because it appears that some of the reviewers didn't actually watch it beyond the first few minutes. I might watch it again.

Original, creepy, powerful

[briancpettit · 9/10 · 12 May 2015]

First of all, the first two reviews sound like they were written by teenagers with short attention spans, who were looking for a cookie-cutter horror movie. Sadly, that's who most horror/sci-fi films are made for.

My review will probably be more relevant for intelligent adults who enjoy original and engaging films.

My high rating is due to the originality of concept, the visual execution of story, and very solid acting.

My biggest pet-peeves are plot-holes and clichés. Modern horror and sci-fi films are usually riddled with them. This movie is congruent and mysterious, with no clichés.

It is a slow creeper, with genuinely unnerving scenes. There is realistic, scary violence. I wanted to look away, because I felt like I was watching real human evil, not another corny slasher scene.

The screenplay jumps around in time, but anyone with half a brain will easily follow. Midway, it all starts to come together. I like films like this because they don't spoon-feed you the plot with dialogue or cliché. If you pay attention and think, you will feel a building sense of understanding. This is much more rewarding for the intelligent film buff.

The direction, cinematography, and special effects are great. Nowadays, CGI is often used to compensate for a weak cast, story, and direction. This film doesn't need much, except for some cool dream/hallucination sequences. The only special effects used to great...er, effect. They are done the old-fashioned way, but I actually felt scared.

Once again, we see that you don't need a blockbuster budget, or pretty faces with limp lines and empty emotion, to make a great film.

The lead actress does a GREAT job playing her role. I believed her and empathized with her in every scene. The same goes for the peripheral characters, although the therapist seems a bit flat and inauthentic, but there is a REASON for that, as you'll see.

The Scopia Effect slipped under the radar, but I'm glad I caught it. If you like original, subtle, creepy, and thought-provoking horror and sci-fi, definitely give this one a chance. It's well-worth a couple hours in front of your TV, and will leave you pondering the pain in your own life.

Christopher Butler has another film coming out called Storm, and I will definitely check that one out too.

Well..... that one pleasantly stands out

[razacince · 8/10 · 21 May 2015]

I didn't know what to expect from this film. And to be honest half way through i thought the same, but in a good way. Shot beautifully, a mysterious plot, the right amount of 'horror' elements to not distract from the film's arty purpose.

It's quite hard for me to put this film into a particular genre, show's originality.

Acting is commendable, some haunting and frigging weird performances that compliment some of the abstractness in the film.

This isn't a Hollywood blockbuster by any means, but the cinematography is fantastic. Bright but haunting.

Worth a second watch.

Unique and cinematically stunning

[butlergb2 · 10/10 · 5 June 2015]

I was not sure what to expect from this film but I was pleasantly surprised. The cinematography is stunning. The timeline is all mixed up and confusing but I like that stuff.

If you like Mulholland Drive and films like Memento and Donnie Darko, this will be your cuppa tea. Not a cheap horror. Has a real Kubrick feel to it as well as other clear influences from the classics.

A challenging watch but well worth it at the end. Kept me thinking for days after.

If you are looking for something refreshing and different then this is a hidden gem.

Wonderful

[caroke-88109 · 10/10 · 3 June 2015]

I can't understand why this movie gets such a low rating...

If you for example liked "I ORIGINS" it's possible you might like this one too. Though they might be quite different, these two movies contain a similar deeper message.

I'm glad I ignored the low rating here on IMDb and watched it anyway.

I especially liked the ending and the message that was given there. I don't agree with the comments against this movie,

Maybe not for people who like typical Hollywood blockbusters... oh well.

Give it a try you might be surprised

An emotional roller-coaster

[amycollins-55202 · 9/10 · 21 January 2016]

I rented this film on Amazon last night and it kept me thinking all night - about life and death and how to make sense of it all. This film has a very deep emotional and spiritual (not in a religious sense!) message.

I must admit that it is challenging to watch (fast cuts etc). I hadn't heared of Chris Butler before but what he has created is simply unique. It does feel a bit like a puzzle from time to time but once you get used to the language of the film it all makes perfect sense.

The lead actress does an amazing job playing Basia loosing her mind and becoming detached from reality.

After watching this film I had a bit of a Matrix-Feeling... what is this life all about? How are things connected? Is only true what we see? The film is brutal in many ways but it ends with such a beautiful and pro-life message that it actually made me cry. Watch this film if your tired of mainstream. (9/10 stars)

Worth for those who can UNDERSTAND

[dennis-ireneo · 9/10 · 15 July 2015]

For many people's i read about their review on this movie that gave the rate of 3 below. I'm sorry to tell you but you were totally wrong about judging the movie. It is in the sense that you need a deeper understanding about the topic before you watch this type of movie. because having an Older Age doesn't mean that your smart enough at pointing it out to be a not worth to watch movie. The movie was OUTSTANDING for us who understand and VERY POOR for those who doesn't even have a clue about life who just sits and face their monitor on the COMPUTER.

You can may be judge how bad i am in English but please my Grammar wont make it less sense. The only reason you can't understand an ART like these were because you're dumb enough and stuck on those typical life you have right now. There are many things the Movie that has given.

The emotion was mix. I can even feel it too. it even left me having some sort of unknown feeling. the thrill even gets me with out those annoying LOUD SOUND EFFECTS that most of you "horror movie lovers"-so called people want.