This film can be slow for some. The storyline is decent enough, and so is the acting. It did kept me glued and wondering and waiting for the truth to revealed. A relatively enjoyable film to watch on a slow or quiet afternoon or night.
36 Reviews
A Low Budget Mind Bender
bakergarrett20 June 2022
Ultrasound is a trippy sci Fi flick, but it doesn't use expensive CGI or action set pieces to blow your mind. Instead Ultrasound uses interesting writing and ideas and good character work, to mystify and intrigue. If your a fan of low budget films, than check out Ultrasound.
Satisfying, original sci-fi thriller for the thinking person
hobbittall14 March 2022
This film is not for people who prefer generic characters, straightforward plot lines and tidy conclusions. However, there's an intelligent concept at the root of it all and skilled execution for those who like to be kept on their toes with lot's of twists, and creative camera angles and scene transitions. Like some of the characters, the viewer is deliberately kept off balance at the beginning but for good narrative reason. Mixed but mostly excellent performances from the cast. Let's be honest, this film has been made on a low budget: some scenes could have done with another take, the "futuristic" devices are decidedly unfuturistic, and the pacing in the middle gets a little frustrating with too many revelatory scenes all at once towards the end etc. But the ending satisfies and leaves room for the viewer to ponder long after the final credits have run.
6.6/10. Recommended
athanasiosze18 March 2022
This is not a very good movie, it's flawed and sometimes the pacing makes you bored, especially in the middle.
However, these moments don't last long. Overall, it is a good sci fi movie, which does something rare: It doesn't leave questions unanswered. It's a solid movie with a strong script, not ambiguous like most of the movies nowadays. There is cohesion here, a beginning and an end.
Movie mysteries hold your interest and, most importantly, are being explained. Characters are likeable and you feel their agony.
Of course there are limitations due to low budget.
A good movie which most of sci fi fans will enjoy. 6.6/10.
However, these moments don't last long. Overall, it is a good sci fi movie, which does something rare: It doesn't leave questions unanswered. It's a solid movie with a strong script, not ambiguous like most of the movies nowadays. There is cohesion here, a beginning and an end.
Movie mysteries hold your interest and, most importantly, are being explained. Characters are likeable and you feel their agony.
Of course there are limitations due to low budget.
A good movie which most of sci fi fans will enjoy. 6.6/10.
Something New, could have been better
dmudgal-841497 April 2022
I would give extra points for the original story and concept. However the screenplay was bad. There were so many things the story couldn't justify. Also I think it would have been better if it revolved more on 'Art' because he was the coolest character in this one.
Nonetheless I didn't get bored and could watch the film completely so it's a 7 from me.
Nonetheless I didn't get bored and could watch the film completely so it's a 7 from me.
All Over The Place
mochteam17 October 2022
This movie simply had too many plots with poor delivery of the story that leaves you confused in the end. The story is simple enough to understand after you pay attention but the story telling is not smooth and there seems to be multiple plots thrown in the mix that would have been better to cut out. The movie overall to me was a mess to watch. An interesting mess but a mess none the less.
The director and writers should have stuck to one plot and cut off the fat. In a movie with twist and turns that would have been a better approach instead of throwing in subplots that added little to nothing but confusions to the story that in the end go unexplained or even forgotten.
Next time just stick to the main plot.
The director and writers should have stuck to one plot and cut off the fat. In a movie with twist and turns that would have been a better approach instead of throwing in subplots that added little to nothing but confusions to the story that in the end go unexplained or even forgotten.
Next time just stick to the main plot.
Looked promising, but flopped with the convoluted amateur screenplay.
Top_Dawg_Critic1 April 2022
It's one of those films that hold your attention, expecting something great to ultimately happen, only to be let down with a cluttered, convoluted, incoherent and incohesive story. There was just no reward, and it looked like a bunch of screenplays were thrown in the shredder then randomly taped together. It tried too hard to be smart, and lost focus on any character development to align with the story. Then add the terrible pacing to the convoluted plot's 103 min runtime, and you'll be begging for something thrilling to happen quick so the film can end. Why would the producers hire an amature writer in his first screenplay, and not at least have a seasoned writer look it over? Schroeder's directing was adequate, but what stood out was the cinematography and score. The only convincing performances were Kartheiser, Lopez and Qualley. Everyone else, especially Wool, were stale and seemed amateurish. Maybe part blame goes to Schroeder's failure to direct his cast properly. It's too bad, this film had tons of potential. It's a 6/10 from me.
Could have been good but ruined by a terrible script.
millordrak26 March 2022
This movie is a complete mess. It starts off good but then goes off the rails about halfway through. The actors did a good job but no amount of good acting can save such a terrible script. Theres too many plot holes & by the end too many things were left unclear, leaving the audience to guess whats going on. Its not real sci-fi either. They would have been better off making a thriller.
Oooook...
gab-6759915 March 2022
Warning: Spoilers
This was one of those movies you have to re-watch because they chose to be a bit too cryptic in the beginning. After re-watching this I have to say it was not bad but also not good. The story is about 3 different situations 1) The senator Alex trying to trick his side chick into not believing she is having his baby. 2) The couple in the beginning who were tricked into thinking they were having a child but were not. 3) The scientists trying to undo the hypnotism Art himself had preformed. It felt like the story dragged and was uneventful in parts. So I could not help but feel bored waiting for the stories to connect. When they finally did though it still didn't make since because the mistress found out she was pregnant anyways, so what was the whole point of doing all of what they did? This was a movie that tried to be smart but failed. It was still well acted and an original story so I gave points for that. I will not watch it again and will not recommend though.
No Point
westsideschl9 July 2022
No point to this confusing story as it jumped between characters, scenes and themes. Something about some mysterious people (possible corporate/military/research) and giving birth, and sound to control (hypnotize) people. Ending? Who knows.
This is a Gem
sschwedes31 March 2022
I thought the premise was interesting and so I gambled and spent the $6 to watch it. I'm glad I did as this movie is much better than it's current rating. The acting is excellent the story is original and it moves along farely quickly. This is that movie you hope to happen upon whenever you choose something you are unfamiliar with.
Almost a masterpiece
ebicar0910 April 2023
Warning: Spoilers
This film let me down in the end, but only because of how much it built up. The first half or so of the movie is steeped in mystery, it invokes all the best parts of shows like Twin Peaks and Westworld and absolutely begs for every scene to be studied and watched carefully. It slowly reveals itself and really lets you just take in everything it's giving you without spoon feeding you. The way the different plot lines reveal how they're intertwined is immensely interesting and had me completely gripped.
Then they pretty much tell you everything that's going on point blank and it becomes a very basic thriller type of flick. So not bad but really had some missed potential.
Then they pretty much tell you everything that's going on point blank and it becomes a very basic thriller type of flick. So not bad but really had some missed potential.
Gave it 40 minutes and it got worse with each minute.
fluffchop11 December 2022
Gave it 40 minutes and it got worse with each minute. What's the movie even about? Is it meant to be quirky? Was it being clever. It was just dull and I couldn't be bothered watching it. At least have a hot chick in it. My god there was nothing to see here. Just move along. Gave it 40 minutes and it got worse with each minute. What's the movie even about? Is it meant to be quirky? Was it being clever. It was just dull and I couldn't be bothered watching it. At least have a hot chick in it. My god there was nothing to see here. Just move along. I wouldn't recommend this to anyone. It's really boring with no redeeming qualities.
Intriguing plot that is twisted and original
tionghao-744-8100019 August 2022
A play on the mind with inception-like deception. Layers and layers of mind boggling scenes and plot twists. All convoluted together in a story that makes sense at the end, yet leaves the viewer guessing. It deserves a 7 star because very few movies with unknown actors and actresses have left such an impression about the horrors, dangers and wonders of hypnosis. It makes one wonder. Have we ever been hypnotized in some sublimal form before?
Yuck
michael-561-6928924 November 2022
Vincent Karthieser is one of the worst actors of our generation. He's neither powerful or commanding. He's neither believable or convincing. If put into a villainous role: he fails. If put into a gray worm suit and asked to wiggle around: he'd still fail to convey what a worm feels or fears.
Time and time again this person is cast as something he isn't. Maybe it's time to stop casting him altogether as an actor because then I'd believe that role: a person who can't act who tries time and time again to act.
It's a sad pathetic world we live in where Vincent Karthieser gets paid more than doctors just to pretend to act. This film is trash because of Vincent Karthieser. If you want to see him in his prime as a person who can't act casted as an actor to play a villain: go watch Titans. HORRIFIC.
Maybe it's time for Vincent to get casted as Vincent. Can't wait for hollywood to think he's the next Willy Wonka or James Bond. You know it's bound to happen...
Time and time again this person is cast as something he isn't. Maybe it's time to stop casting him altogether as an actor because then I'd believe that role: a person who can't act who tries time and time again to act.
It's a sad pathetic world we live in where Vincent Karthieser gets paid more than doctors just to pretend to act. This film is trash because of Vincent Karthieser. If you want to see him in his prime as a person who can't act casted as an actor to play a villain: go watch Titans. HORRIFIC.
Maybe it's time for Vincent to get casted as Vincent. Can't wait for hollywood to think he's the next Willy Wonka or James Bond. You know it's bound to happen...
Underrated psychological thriller
dopamaxnootropics16 December 2023
Warning: Spoilers
In some alternate timeline, frequency manipulation alone is capable of making some people suggestive to the extent of persistent visual delusion. Naturally this becomes an interest to politicians and the military. Ultrasound follows a group of characters trapped in multiple layers of false realities attempting to break free.
This movie is a testament to the importance of acting and writing over most visual elements, as despite this movie possessing minor sci-fi qualities, there is practically no CGI whatsoever. Further, this movie was still enjoyable despite the presence of obviously overlooked factors... Such as inside shots of a car that's supposed to appear as though it's driving, when it is clearly parked.
Overall very enjoyable movie. Perhaps not meeting its maximum potential, but certainly better than most.
This movie is a testament to the importance of acting and writing over most visual elements, as despite this movie possessing minor sci-fi qualities, there is practically no CGI whatsoever. Further, this movie was still enjoyable despite the presence of obviously overlooked factors... Such as inside shots of a car that's supposed to appear as though it's driving, when it is clearly parked.
Overall very enjoyable movie. Perhaps not meeting its maximum potential, but certainly better than most.
who are the positive reviewers?
AmonD6614 March 2022
Weak
imdb-392-49246720 January 2024
Warning: Spoilers
This isn't sci-fin and people need to stop labeling this type of garbage as such. It's a simply fantasy of the power of hypnosis.
This type of movie is an elaborate game of "it was all a dream" with the viewer left in the dream state.
Nothing in this movie happens. It's all fiction, right up through to when the credits start rolling.
The only one that appears to have fallen out of the hypnotized state is the mistress of the politician. Everyone else is still stuck inside the mind control machinery of the movie.
Ultimately, there is no reason to watch this movie since none of it actually happens.
This type of movie is an elaborate game of "it was all a dream" with the viewer left in the dream state.
Nothing in this movie happens. It's all fiction, right up through to when the credits start rolling.
The only one that appears to have fallen out of the hypnotized state is the mistress of the politician. Everyone else is still stuck inside the mind control machinery of the movie.
Ultimately, there is no reason to watch this movie since none of it actually happens.
Original and well constructed
nick-kelly-104-81714915 March 2022
The film is quite unlike most films in that it keeps you in the dark and doesn't spoon-feed the plot. I thought it was a really well made low budget film with a truly original script. The film is quite mind-bending and I can see why some people might not like it, but it is really worth watching to the end. I would say it's one of the best low budget films I've seen as the script and direction is really quite unique.
WTF
publicemaildump14 March 2022
More liberal hogwash
pneal-0823313 August 2022
Literally pointless and uses "conservative" characters to drive along a plot about brainwashing and how pregnancy is essentially a cancer and only brought about by brainwashing and coercion. More liberal dribble. Yawn.
Nice twist on a tired concept
kuarinofu5 June 2022
Nice premise, great acting, interesting dialogue, and overall a solid twist on an old concept. The film never felt over-stylized or artsy, no pseudophilosophy, just human emotions. Loved spotting some of the details as well.
This has the potential to become a good series for streaming, I hope this idea can be elaborated on, mainly due to the fact of how open-ended it felt.
Overall, while the ending still left me somewhat confused (in terms of the chain of events and how these were connected), I thoroughly enjoyed this.
Definitely could recommend this to low-budget sci-fi/thriller fans.
This has the potential to become a good series for streaming, I hope this idea can be elaborated on, mainly due to the fact of how open-ended it felt.
Overall, while the ending still left me somewhat confused (in terms of the chain of events and how these were connected), I thoroughly enjoyed this.
Definitely could recommend this to low-budget sci-fi/thriller fans.
Sci-fi pulp done well.
Victor_Fallon3 October 2022
I enjoyed the way this movie unfolds. Scenes are obtuse and fragmented for the first half, then the plot slowly comes into focus. The story is a darkly comic psycho-sci-fi that gets a bit silly, yet manages to sustain a serious and mysterious tone thanks to some excellent acting, editing, music and direction.
It doesn't tackle any 'big' subjects, it's having fun with plot and structure while telling a shaggy dog story. Any explanation would contain spoilers - putting it together is kinda the point. The person I saw it with didn't have a clue what was going on and got frustrated, so fair warning that it requires attention.
The last act lets it down a little, mainly due to budget restraints. The sets and lighting aren't fit for purpose in a few of the 'actiony' scenes and it would have worked better with a more cerebral, or at least cunning, ending. Still, it's a genuinely creative and interesting little movie.
It doesn't tackle any 'big' subjects, it's having fun with plot and structure while telling a shaggy dog story. Any explanation would contain spoilers - putting it together is kinda the point. The person I saw it with didn't have a clue what was going on and got frustrated, so fair warning that it requires attention.
The last act lets it down a little, mainly due to budget restraints. The sets and lighting aren't fit for purpose in a few of the 'actiony' scenes and it would have worked better with a more cerebral, or at least cunning, ending. Still, it's a genuinely creative and interesting little movie.
Interesting Concept of Playing with Reality
Reviews_of_the_Dead22 March 2022
Warning: Spoilers
This is a movie that caught interest when I was at the Gateway Film Center. It looked intriguing, so I stopped watching the trailer. I almost didn't go see this movie as everything I was seeing pointed to this not being a horror movie. What was the deciding factor is people in the community I respect are including it in their genre watches. This is something that I'll come back to.
Synopsis: after his car breaks down, Glen (Vincent Kartheiser) spends one hell of an odd night with a married couple, setting into motion a chain of events that alter their lives plus those of random strangers.
We start this movie on a rainy night. Someone is in a car and drive over a strip of nails. This person is Glen. He sees a nearby house and goes to it for help. He is greeted at the door by Art (Bob Stephenson). Art invites him in and offers him a drink while he dries off. Glen then meets his wife, Cyndi (Chelsea Lopez). The two seem to be in a loveless marriage but staying together. Glen inquiries about nearby garages, but the closest one isn't open until the morning. Art asks him to stay the night and offers to take him in the morning. It takes a turn when Art wants him to stay the night in his wife's bed.
It then gets even weirder from here. Glen is at home when Art shows up. He somewhat forces himself inside to reveal that Cyndi is pregnant and that it is Glen's. He isn't sure how that is possible but agrees to see her. He gets a text message telling him to ditch Art and she'll come over. She decides to stay with Glen.
Going along with this, Shannon (Breeda Wool) is working with Dr. Conners (Tunde Adebimpe). They are reciting lines that Cyndi and Glen said to each other. Both are being kept in this building as some sort of experiment. There is also Art who is working George (Tony Evangelista). He is a senator seeking re-election. It appears he's running on family values, but he has a secret girlfriend by the name of Katie (Rainey Qualley).
There is much more going on here and the reality of how everyone is connected is interesting. I'm not going to go farther as that would go into spoilers. What I will say that is that I don't necessarily think this is horror, but we do get some elements here. This is much more of science fiction with elements of drama and even thriller. How these elements fit in together worked. The first thing I'll delve deeper into would be reality and how we perceive it. There are things from the beginning that if you're paying attention, make sense as things get revealed. I found that to be quite clever. This is a movie that needs a second watch now that I know what they're doing to see what I missed as well. Having done so, what I will say is that I didn't see cheats. If anything, I'd say I have a deeper appreciation here with how deep this goes and the implications.
Going along with this idea, we have Glen coming to the house of Cyndi and Art. From what we are given in the beginning, these two are married. He was her high school English teacher, they got married when she was young and it is now loveless. That might not actually be the case though. We also see Art working with George and in turn, Katie. Like what this movie is doing with us, what is revealed is messing with minds. We see something and then it will change. It makes you question if what you saw was real or not. I think the movie does well in explaining it without going too far and ruining things. There is still an illusion by the end and allowing us as the viewer to interpret. Even the title of the movie, how ultrasounds play in with the story and how it is used was interesting to me. Something else to add, what they do with timeframes is also an intriguing piece as well.
Then the other part is Shannon, Dr. Conners and the rest of his team. We see them interacting with Glen and Cyndi. This is what confused me the most, but with the explanation there, it is the missing piece. What they're doing with the two is an experiment of sorts. There is the shady government angle that comes into play here and with George, but I'll be honest, it is done subtle. I can appreciate that for sure. What they're doing with Glen and Cyndi also plays in with reality and not being sure what is real as well. To close out my ideas on the story, I was impressed how they could edit this together and it to make sense.
For a movie like to this to work, the acting needed to be good. I'd say that it fits. Kartheiser and Lopez are both solid. They play their characters of Glen and Cyndi well. We aren't sure who they truly are and we see a couple of variations. I thought they were good, especially at reveals. I feel horrible for them to be honest. I could also throw in Qualley on a smaller basis. Wool is solid as someone that sees what they're doing is wrong and wants to help. I like Adebimpe and Stephenson as mirrors of each other. One is doing a more scientific look where the other is using it to make money. I would say though, even in the end, Dr. Conners is as well with the funders that come see his experiment. Aside from that, I'd say the rest of the cast rounded this out for what was needed.
The last things to cover would be the filmmaking. For the cinematography, this is shot well. I've already gave credit to the editing, but I think working in tandem with the framing and the use of soft focus. It makes you question what you're seeing and that is what the movie is going for. We don't get a lot in the way of effects. It helps to make you question things so it worked there. The soundtrack is solid as well. We get to hear these tones, which are affecting our characters. That fit what the movie needed as well. I'd also say that the soundtrack made my anxiety go up and gives it the feel of being in the horror genre.
In conclusion, this was a movie I was debating to see in the theater. I didn't know if this was going to be horror or not. I'm not fully convinced that it is, but it has elements that would make it adjacent. We aren't sure what is real in the reality we are in and neither do our characters. They're being manipulated which is scary. The soundtrack helps that feel as well. I'd say that the acting was good. The cinematography and editing help for this to work. I would also say the soundtrack helps as well. I would have to say this is an above average movie that is coming up just short of being good. Having now given it a revisit, my rating is spot on where I was the first time around. It is worth a watch, but not necessarily as a horror film. This is much more genre for sure.
My Rating: 7.5 out of 10.
Synopsis: after his car breaks down, Glen (Vincent Kartheiser) spends one hell of an odd night with a married couple, setting into motion a chain of events that alter their lives plus those of random strangers.
We start this movie on a rainy night. Someone is in a car and drive over a strip of nails. This person is Glen. He sees a nearby house and goes to it for help. He is greeted at the door by Art (Bob Stephenson). Art invites him in and offers him a drink while he dries off. Glen then meets his wife, Cyndi (Chelsea Lopez). The two seem to be in a loveless marriage but staying together. Glen inquiries about nearby garages, but the closest one isn't open until the morning. Art asks him to stay the night and offers to take him in the morning. It takes a turn when Art wants him to stay the night in his wife's bed.
It then gets even weirder from here. Glen is at home when Art shows up. He somewhat forces himself inside to reveal that Cyndi is pregnant and that it is Glen's. He isn't sure how that is possible but agrees to see her. He gets a text message telling him to ditch Art and she'll come over. She decides to stay with Glen.
Going along with this, Shannon (Breeda Wool) is working with Dr. Conners (Tunde Adebimpe). They are reciting lines that Cyndi and Glen said to each other. Both are being kept in this building as some sort of experiment. There is also Art who is working George (Tony Evangelista). He is a senator seeking re-election. It appears he's running on family values, but he has a secret girlfriend by the name of Katie (Rainey Qualley).
There is much more going on here and the reality of how everyone is connected is interesting. I'm not going to go farther as that would go into spoilers. What I will say that is that I don't necessarily think this is horror, but we do get some elements here. This is much more of science fiction with elements of drama and even thriller. How these elements fit in together worked. The first thing I'll delve deeper into would be reality and how we perceive it. There are things from the beginning that if you're paying attention, make sense as things get revealed. I found that to be quite clever. This is a movie that needs a second watch now that I know what they're doing to see what I missed as well. Having done so, what I will say is that I didn't see cheats. If anything, I'd say I have a deeper appreciation here with how deep this goes and the implications.
Going along with this idea, we have Glen coming to the house of Cyndi and Art. From what we are given in the beginning, these two are married. He was her high school English teacher, they got married when she was young and it is now loveless. That might not actually be the case though. We also see Art working with George and in turn, Katie. Like what this movie is doing with us, what is revealed is messing with minds. We see something and then it will change. It makes you question if what you saw was real or not. I think the movie does well in explaining it without going too far and ruining things. There is still an illusion by the end and allowing us as the viewer to interpret. Even the title of the movie, how ultrasounds play in with the story and how it is used was interesting to me. Something else to add, what they do with timeframes is also an intriguing piece as well.
Then the other part is Shannon, Dr. Conners and the rest of his team. We see them interacting with Glen and Cyndi. This is what confused me the most, but with the explanation there, it is the missing piece. What they're doing with the two is an experiment of sorts. There is the shady government angle that comes into play here and with George, but I'll be honest, it is done subtle. I can appreciate that for sure. What they're doing with Glen and Cyndi also plays in with reality and not being sure what is real as well. To close out my ideas on the story, I was impressed how they could edit this together and it to make sense.
For a movie like to this to work, the acting needed to be good. I'd say that it fits. Kartheiser and Lopez are both solid. They play their characters of Glen and Cyndi well. We aren't sure who they truly are and we see a couple of variations. I thought they were good, especially at reveals. I feel horrible for them to be honest. I could also throw in Qualley on a smaller basis. Wool is solid as someone that sees what they're doing is wrong and wants to help. I like Adebimpe and Stephenson as mirrors of each other. One is doing a more scientific look where the other is using it to make money. I would say though, even in the end, Dr. Conners is as well with the funders that come see his experiment. Aside from that, I'd say the rest of the cast rounded this out for what was needed.
The last things to cover would be the filmmaking. For the cinematography, this is shot well. I've already gave credit to the editing, but I think working in tandem with the framing and the use of soft focus. It makes you question what you're seeing and that is what the movie is going for. We don't get a lot in the way of effects. It helps to make you question things so it worked there. The soundtrack is solid as well. We get to hear these tones, which are affecting our characters. That fit what the movie needed as well. I'd also say that the soundtrack made my anxiety go up and gives it the feel of being in the horror genre.
In conclusion, this was a movie I was debating to see in the theater. I didn't know if this was going to be horror or not. I'm not fully convinced that it is, but it has elements that would make it adjacent. We aren't sure what is real in the reality we are in and neither do our characters. They're being manipulated which is scary. The soundtrack helps that feel as well. I'd say that the acting was good. The cinematography and editing help for this to work. I would also say the soundtrack helps as well. I would have to say this is an above average movie that is coming up just short of being good. Having now given it a revisit, my rating is spot on where I was the first time around. It is worth a watch, but not necessarily as a horror film. This is much more genre for sure.
My Rating: 7.5 out of 10.
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
