"Discontinued" is a thought-provoking sci-fi film that raises intriguing questions about the nature of reality. Ashley Hutchinson delivers a strong performance as Sarah, while Langston Fishburne's portrayal of the guide adds depth to the story. However, the film's classification as a comedy is misleading, as there are very few comedic moments. Furthermore, the lack of special effects may disappoint some viewers. Nonetheless, the plot is well-constructed and keeps the audience engaged. The ambiguous ending leaves room for interpretation, leaving viewers pondering Sarah's ultimate fate. Overall, "Discontinued" is a solid film that is worth watching, despite its flaws. The film's unique concept and strong performances make it an intriguing addition to the sci-fi genre.
11 Reviews
These ratings make me think I'm in a simulation
aaroncamm-0871812 May 2023
It's a decent idea, but this movie is extremely slow and not thought provoking at all. It had a lot of potential. The acting and music selection was not great, cinematography is fine, but in terms of storyline? Abysmal. Throughout the entire movie, I felt as if I was watching a movie produced by a highschool movie production team as an assignment. The realism felt completely off and is not at all how you would expect humans would respond, in fact I think the majority would chose to stay. Each to their own, I appreciate everyone has their own opinion, but it takes a lot for me to skip through a movie. I wanted it to get better, but 3/10 I stand by what I said, the movie is less thought provoking than these reviews.
A good version of an indie trope
mesaxi14 May 2023
This was a welcome entry to the catalogue of "explore a philosophical issue by introducing a scenario, and then have the main character walk around getting different people's perspectives" indie films. The worst parts were the attempts at comedy, to be frank, but the movie did eventually abandon the silliness.
Most of the acting was very amateur, which was why a lot of the comedy felt so stiff. Picardo, Hutchinson, and Fishburne carried the show, and this Bonini guy was pretty good too (the character isn't his fault).
For a very limited movie I was impressed. It held my interest and even stimulated my brain. Worth a watch.
Most of the acting was very amateur, which was why a lot of the comedy felt so stiff. Picardo, Hutchinson, and Fishburne carried the show, and this Bonini guy was pretty good too (the character isn't his fault).
For a very limited movie I was impressed. It held my interest and even stimulated my brain. Worth a watch.
A mishmash of great and meh
siderite3 November 2023
After trying to watch two atrocious films with aging actors who couldn't care less about the production, I stumbled onto this one with no expectations and was pleasantly surprised! Someone put a lot of thought in the script, the acting is good, the story is surprising. It should have been great.
Unfortunately, after the middle of the movie, when the main character learns the world she's been whining about is a simulation, there is where the entertainment stops completely. I understand the film is supposed to be metaphorical and, ironically, real, but at no time did I feel any connection with the main character. Maybe I would have chosen the same things as her, but then why would I want to watch someone "working through her problems" when they are all gone?
Bottom line: I have to appreciate the production and the effort that went into it, but in the end it was just as disappointing as a lot of "end of the world which makes us reevaluate our place in it" stories. An average rating which is made of equal parts greatness and disappointment.
Unfortunately, after the middle of the movie, when the main character learns the world she's been whining about is a simulation, there is where the entertainment stops completely. I understand the film is supposed to be metaphorical and, ironically, real, but at no time did I feel any connection with the main character. Maybe I would have chosen the same things as her, but then why would I want to watch someone "working through her problems" when they are all gone?
Bottom line: I have to appreciate the production and the effort that went into it, but in the end it was just as disappointing as a lot of "end of the world which makes us reevaluate our place in it" stories. An average rating which is made of equal parts greatness and disappointment.
Starts okayish, ends badly
bcprabhu23 July 2023
The premise is somewhat intriguing and this is probably the only good thing i can write about this. Obviously it's low budget but the problem is with the execution of their idea and not the acting or the money.
In reality the people's reaction would be much more erratic. There would be chaos and all types of violent behavior.
The ending suggests that it doesn't matter what type of person you are and how you lived your life. Sadly, this anti-moral message is quite popular nowadays. I wonder why.
Summary: despite all these it's worth a watch just don't expect too much. Also, this is not a comedy.
In reality the people's reaction would be much more erratic. There would be chaos and all types of violent behavior.
The ending suggests that it doesn't matter what type of person you are and how you lived your life. Sadly, this anti-moral message is quite popular nowadays. I wonder why.
Summary: despite all these it's worth a watch just don't expect too much. Also, this is not a comedy.
Strange, contemplative movie.
aks-1465029 December 2023
First things first, this is not a comedy. This is a movie that shines a light on the fact that the world as we know it, and it's societal and cultural norms and expectations aren't built for everyone. This is a character study of one young woman who learns more about what it means to be alive when faced with the end of days.
It is on the slower side and it's far from perfect, but it asks interesting questions. We're supposed to be social animals right? So why do so many of us thrive in solitude? Why do widely accepted societal norms cause anxiety and depress certain people, when these norms exist to give structure to what it means to be part of a society in the first place? Watch it with an open mind.
It is on the slower side and it's far from perfect, but it asks interesting questions. We're supposed to be social animals right? So why do so many of us thrive in solitude? Why do widely accepted societal norms cause anxiety and depress certain people, when these norms exist to give structure to what it means to be part of a society in the first place? Watch it with an open mind.
Well done, creative, sometimes surprising
max-0750911 May 2023
I enjoyed this movie! The premise is intriguing, the acting is good (the main actress does a great job), and the production is perfectly adequate.
There is some light comedy, but also some interesting questions. Recommended for people who enjoy speculative fiction.
I'm actually surprised that more movies have not addressed the questions raised here: what is it all about? Does anything make sense?
I am also intrigued by the hints about the responsibility to simulated life forms, what to do with them, and so on. This movie is punching well above its weight in terms of philosophical questions.
There is some light comedy, but also some interesting questions. Recommended for people who enjoy speculative fiction.
I'm actually surprised that more movies have not addressed the questions raised here: what is it all about? Does anything make sense?
I am also intrigued by the hints about the responsibility to simulated life forms, what to do with them, and so on. This movie is punching well above its weight in terms of philosophical questions.
The human condition
aiproductionsglobal11 May 2023
This is a really great little movie. The lead actress is excellent - especially in the first act - and the supporting cast do a fine job, too.
There a lots of little touches in this movie that make it so good. Like in the first act where she is depressed and watching a documentary about The Pyramids being built by aliens, and when she tosses and turns so violently when she tries to sleep.
The second act, after the great reveal, is a little weaker and almost undoes the great opening act, but it is in the final act that the sense of self really shines.
The movie is very philosophical but in a very modern sense. It looks at what we are and what it means to be 'alive'. For me, it gave a sense of how we all share this consciousness and I was deeply moved by the ending.
There a lots of little touches in this movie that make it so good. Like in the first act where she is depressed and watching a documentary about The Pyramids being built by aliens, and when she tosses and turns so violently when she tries to sleep.
The second act, after the great reveal, is a little weaker and almost undoes the great opening act, but it is in the final act that the sense of self really shines.
The movie is very philosophical but in a very modern sense. It looks at what we are and what it means to be 'alive'. For me, it gave a sense of how we all share this consciousness and I was deeply moved by the ending.
Beautifully haunting
burgif10 May 2023
Warning: Spoilers
To start with this movie is not everyone's cup of tea. The premise of this movie is built on the concept of existential angst, where the individual has two choices; to leave this boring predictable life or move to a life of repeated sheer pleasure moments from the individual's memory. Tough choices, so imagine if you chose to stay and all the rest of mankind chose to leave, you would have earth all for yourself, the question would you do it? And if the answer is yes, at what consequences, would you trade all back for the blessing of ignorance? The actress was magnificent in her role and so was the rest of the cast, director, writers and all production team, I wish you well in presenting more Sartrian and Kafkaesque angst stories.
Red Pill? Blue Pill? Screw that, just take all the pills!
Manuel-Hoerth25 July 2023
Warning: Spoilers
This is another entry in the small but growing sub-genre of movies that are outwardly similar to The Matrix, but secretly mock the hell out of it.
First off, casting Langston Fishburne as "The Guide" was genius! He really does look a lot like his father after all, and when we first see him, it almost seems like he does a (intentionally bad) Cowboy Curtis impression.
Sarah reminds me a lot of Enid from Ghost World. In a way this movie is to Millennials what Ghost World was to Gen X. And here comes the spoiler; both movies have a main character that's depressed and at odds with society and ultimately fails in her struggle to find a place for herself in our flawed, competitive society and both movies don't really SHOW their main character committing suicide at the end and instead show them heading off into some wondrous distant land by themselves where they can finally be alone and find peace, but if you can read through the subtext; they really committed suicide.
In Discontinued this is reinforced by the title itself and of course by the actual scene of her committing suicide. So I have to correct myself, cause this movie actually does show her commit suicide (when she swallows the entire pill bottle) it's just that we kinda gloss over it, because after that Fishburne pops up and guides her through the matrix. But if you think about it, the whole matrix stuff only starts to happen after she already committed suicide.
And also, the whole movie is basically a loop. It begins at the its own end and ends at its own beginning and yet the movie stays in chronological order. How is that possible? It's because Sarah is in a loop. She killed herself and now she is basically in purgatory, reliving her 5 "greatest" memories over and over again for all eternity or until she is finally able to make the choice to face society and face other people and face her own inner demons that those other people represent.
First off, casting Langston Fishburne as "The Guide" was genius! He really does look a lot like his father after all, and when we first see him, it almost seems like he does a (intentionally bad) Cowboy Curtis impression.
Sarah reminds me a lot of Enid from Ghost World. In a way this movie is to Millennials what Ghost World was to Gen X. And here comes the spoiler; both movies have a main character that's depressed and at odds with society and ultimately fails in her struggle to find a place for herself in our flawed, competitive society and both movies don't really SHOW their main character committing suicide at the end and instead show them heading off into some wondrous distant land by themselves where they can finally be alone and find peace, but if you can read through the subtext; they really committed suicide.
In Discontinued this is reinforced by the title itself and of course by the actual scene of her committing suicide. So I have to correct myself, cause this movie actually does show her commit suicide (when she swallows the entire pill bottle) it's just that we kinda gloss over it, because after that Fishburne pops up and guides her through the matrix. But if you think about it, the whole matrix stuff only starts to happen after she already committed suicide.
And also, the whole movie is basically a loop. It begins at the its own end and ends at its own beginning and yet the movie stays in chronological order. How is that possible? It's because Sarah is in a loop. She killed herself and now she is basically in purgatory, reliving her 5 "greatest" memories over and over again for all eternity or until she is finally able to make the choice to face society and face other people and face her own inner demons that those other people represent.
Happened before & happening again...
RafBo13 May 2023
Some have called it "The 4th Turning," others call it "The Great Reset;" regardless of what it's called, it an Industrial Revolution of sorts (again). So many things go into this new Industrial whirlwind that promises to make the previous industrial revolutions primitive and obsolete.
One of the features of this future for humanity is Virtual Reality while another is Transhumanism. This movie explores this perceived reality, from a point of view similar to that of ants. Ants represent a collective society; And, this new industry proposes that we are as well, it we are to adapt and survive this all.
I just added this editorial.
This flick is actually very complicated with respect to the multiple layers and themes (imagined & addressed) - related to our very future, that which is unraveling every day...
One of the features of this future for humanity is Virtual Reality while another is Transhumanism. This movie explores this perceived reality, from a point of view similar to that of ants. Ants represent a collective society; And, this new industry proposes that we are as well, it we are to adapt and survive this all.
I just added this editorial.
This flick is actually very complicated with respect to the multiple layers and themes (imagined & addressed) - related to our very future, that which is unraveling every day...
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