Nowhere Mind (2018) User Reviews

As always, first half is pretty good

[bernardoarquivo · 5/10 · 20 December 2018]

Ivan has schizoaffective disorder and uses advanced meditation and out-of-body experiences to control it without meds. He falls in love with a girl that's engaged to a friend of his, with whom he ends up going on a camping trip in the woods. At a certain point the friend discovers the affair and they have it out.

The actors are great and the story hooks you up for awhile but completly loses itself after about an hour of film. The ending is dumb and disappointing.

...goes nowhere.

[agof · 5/10 · 27 February 2022]

It's an extra-sensorial mumbo-jumbo nonsense story. And either it's a very predictable movie, or a very dumb movie that's a mess, because the ending was made vague. And judging by the tone it actually considers the predictable 10% of the brain astrology reading of the ending the right one.

It's a fairly captivating watch, but what it actually shows is a tiny-budget show of limited cast with petty adultery drama. Meanwhile, the entire sound department decided to give it their 292% effort, as if it's a masterpiece thriller.

Has a lot of high scores from people with only one movie rated. Hmmmmmm.

I don't know about this

[AMZCali · 1/10 · 19 December 2018]

Red flags go up when the glowing reviews of a new indie/low budget film, all focus on the technical aspects of the film and how it was made by a first-time director, while not talking about the actual story of the film.

Worst movie I've seen in a year.

[richard-teemal-172-789865 · 1/10 · 21 December 2018]

The misleading reviews of this title caused me to waste almost two hours of my life and I thought it my duty to save you the same fate.

Where do I even begin? The plot is so thin that it is surprising how, like molasses, it moves so damn slowly! The premise once "explained", (I suppose to satisfy an obligation in order to permit it in the Sci-Fi category) soon falls by the wayside in favor of boring dialogue driving a diaphanous sub plot.

I would expand but frankly, it does not merit my time.

Truly paranoia-inducing

[Phil_Chester · 28 October 2018]

A truly paranoia-inducing psycho-thriller. An exploration of mental health from a really fresh perspective. You just can't work out how this is going to twist and resolve itself, which makes it absorbing and gripping. Recommended.

not as engaging as I hoped from the trailer.

[M85ALIVE · 2/10 · 16 November 2019]

The majority of the context for the film is delivered in the "talking heads" manner, one character tells the other character whats happening, at dinner, on the street, on the beach. The fact that Ivan has this mysterious illness and finds an out of body conscience method could of been done from a storytelling POV in a really interesting, engaging way in the 1st act, but as I said it's all so lazily delivered "here is the context you need". Set it up so that he has contracted this illness that is unexpected, compelling and interesting, allow us the viewer to viscerally experience him trying to find out whats wrong, a reason for him to pursue this consciousness class as a possible cure....instead, we cut to the lecturer spout dialogue about it and the protagonist sit there listening, sit in his apartment and meditate....not very cinematic.

The plot points where the fiancee wants to meet Ivan and where he wants Ivan to come with him on the hike feel quite shoehorned in to make the plot happen.

The first time I got engaged by the film was 25 mins in where Ivan gets a text from the woman, her fiancee wants to meet Ivan because he saw the texts he had with his fiancee and him, I do not believe that they sent suspicious texts to one another, when she calls Ivan up he seemed surprised to hear from her, yet he sent her borderline flirtatious texts?? what?

I got half way through and gave up, I just really didn't experience the film through the protagonists eyes, something I felt the writer/director wanted and really felt unengaged by the delivery of the story idea.

Not as bad as it could be... I actually liked it.

[grichman · 7/10 · 11 January 2019]

I kinda liked this film. I could not really tell where things were going plot wise, and it was not hitting too many cliches.

Nowhere Mind had an interesting pacing that was almost hypnotic in a way. It was hard to tell at some times what was real because it was just odd all around. It was not as boring as Tartovsky, but it had a similar feel to his stuff. The acting was also very good in my opinion.

Sure, it's not Citizen Kane or Scarface, but it was watchable, and I did not feel completely burned watching it. All in all, I liked it and thought the "Emily" actress was hot.

Trippy, absorbing tale

[directortim2012 · 9/10 · 10 August 2019]

A methodical film that grows and builds to an intriguing climax. This movie is very cinematic, artfully shot and scored. It's not space sci-fi but more of a mind-bending drama. One that really involved me. I felt for the lead character on his difficult often trippy journey. An interesting, really well done film.

What a hidden gem of a film

[craigahrens · 9/10 · 3 July 2019]

A friend of mine turned me on to this movie... and boy am I glad that they did. This is such a good film. I loved Ivan and really felt for him as he battled, dealt with his demons. This film has a good story and looks really good. The cinematographer knew what they were doing. I thoroughly enjoyed the wilderness excursion that Ivan and John went on... w/o giving anything away, I liked how the director built the tension. For me, I liked this film and proudly award it 5 stars!

metaphysical mastery!

[bgianci-790-772540 · 9/10 · 11 June 2019]

I really enjoyed this. I'm a sucker for films that delve into the metaphysical and this did not disappoint. This is a well told, thought provoking story with relatable characters. It pulled me in from the start. Clearly the director had a strong vision and executed it to perfection. Great dialogue delivered wonderfully by a great cast and shot beautifully.

awesome head trip

[JoshSegel · 10/10 · 29 January 2019]

Very cool! This movie is a highly original exploration of consciousness, and it keeps you engaged and guessing throughout. With a bold storyline, gorgeous cinematography, authentic performances, this tightly written and directed head trip will linger in your mind long after it's over. If you're looking for a cerebral (but also emotionally resonant) ride that truly stands apart from most films, I highly recommend NOWHERE MIND.

great effort from a creative bunch

[uncle-blue-538-831254 · 8/10 · 17 April 2019]

First off, why wouold anybody look at something so many people so honestly tried to do right under the constraints of money, resources and time, and call it the "worst movie" they've seen? interesting story told well. particularly impressed with the soundtrack; corey willis is the next bear macreary.

Thoughtful

[KimmyTKA · 8/10 · 25 June 2019]

I sometimes felt like I was dreaming when I was watching this, which is I think is kind of the point. I thought that they did a great job telling a low budget, cerebral, character-drive science fiction movie. Definitely slow-moving sometimes, but I was into it. Also, I know this is small, but I thought the opening shot was really effective (both when we first saw it and when it was repeated).

A tense slow-burn

[JGReviews · 9/10 · 1 February 2019]

Nowhere Mind is a tense slow-burn of a movie. The plot concerns Ivan who becomes reacquainted with an old friend, Emily, and the two hook up. Ivan and Emily start a relationship, but Emily is still engaged to their friend John. Later, John invites Ivan on a hiking trip deep into the woods, just the two of them, in lieu of some sort of bachelor party. The tension increases dramatically as Ivan wonders if John knows about him and Emily. Adding a layer of mystery and confusion to the matter is Ivan's unusual illness that causes paranoid episodes that Ivan tries to combat with unusual experimental meditation practices.

I definitely enjoyed the ride watching this film. There were so many elements that made me feel nervous and tense throughout the film, but always wanting more. I felt my heart nervously racing throughout the film just imagining myself in Ivan's shoes. The score is particularly effective as well -- compliments to the composer! The filming locations are also incredibly gorgeous and heighten the cinematography. All of this is that much more commendable knowing that this is an indie film. Ultimately, I found Nowhere Mind to be a highly effective suspense film that I would recommend to anyone.

Atmospheric, thought-provoking filmmaking

[priest-21-556907 · 8/10 · 23 July 2019]

Nowhere Mind is a trip. It works great as an exploration of themes like mental illness, relationships, consciousness and even existance. The film dives deep and succeeds.

A must watch suspense

[johnapplebee-95947 · 8/10 · 4 February 2019]

This film was very original and different from other suspenses. I think some of us have to go back and watch it twice to really understand the movie. It's very deep and if your not all the way into it u will miss out on the whole story. Well written, acted and cinematography was good. I thought the ending could have been better though. Overall a good watch

Good moovie. Adequate music

[kalenderov · 10/10 · 20 December 2018]

I like it. It's a bit Aronofsky style which is good. Intense and unpredictable. Adequate music. The theme about meditation is difficult to be shown in cinema. That's why many materialistic viewers can't understand the film. Give us more of the same, Ben Nissen!

Not bad at all

[protonx-75626 · 8/10 · 20 January 2019]

The story is told simply the direction, location, filming is fair to good. and it leaves a certain lingering after taste.

An early find on a cinematic prospect!

[brianscottmckenna · 8/10 · 23 November 2018]

Was completely drawn in and enthralled by this debut by the director. Great acting, storyline and direction plus some really nice cinematography choices! Ambitious work that reminded me of early Aronofsky and Nolan.

Out of Body storyline

[debijohess · 8/10 · 20 August 2019]

Sit back and enjoy a slow burn but you will enjoy the wait. First off, this was a beautifully shot film. The cinematography is gritty, dramatic and just plain spectacular. The production designer was spot on. A+ to the actors. Very believable and natural. I have to admit I never saw the ending coming. No spoiler in this review but if you are expecting a fairytale ending, look elsewhere! I love the ironic twist and the roadtrip to get there will have your heart going out to this poor guy and then some. Really unique and entertaining cinema from a talented filmmaker.

Mind-bending sci-fi

[Smgrte235860 · 8/10 · 22 November 2018]

A very fascinating, mind-bending sci-fi film that makes you look at mental illness in a new way.

Don't Panic! (The Guide's entry on Daveland)

[tomsuthblack · 8/10 · 20 December 2018]

If you change for another person, you'll lose yourself, and the other person! Interesting, and very bleak view of life. That's what the movie is really about. Now let's say again, in a more roundabout way, in order to fit with the superfluous complexity with which the movie is presented:

Is it just me, or is the Philosopher(played by actor David Scott Crawford) VERY reminiscent of the "late" and "untimely departed" Douglas Adams?!! No, I am not meandering away from the main topic, I am just approaching it slowly for a reason. If you are a true fan of DNA's writings(Hitchhiker's Guide, Dirk Gently, Last Chance to See, etc), then you sure remember the unfinished story of Dave(The Salmon of Doubt) who decided to escape the responsibilities of his life by escaping to another dimension (presumably via the nasal cavities of a Rhino). It's funny that a mysterious real-life Dave did write a most interesting farewell on Adam's obituary on his fan website. It is also funny that this movie would make such a very interesting (or maybe very hallucinated) wink to a writer who did escape the responsibilities of his reality by jumping to another dimension.

In other words, you can't change your reality by becoming someone else. Any change you make in yourself is a betrayal to yourself. You can't kill the competition by being the competition, you can escape being you by propagating your soul (or wishful thinking) into another person, for all what you will achieve is becoming someone you aren't and adding skeletons to your guilt closet, and losing whatever you could've won by risking being you and remaining you, regardless of what the world would say. Great Movie, despite missing every available chance of translating its message in a way that propagates it to a larger audience. If I were sure the Douglas Adams' lectures resemblance was intentional, I would've given it a 10.

Wow. Thriller with many twists.

[williamgway · 8/10 · 3 May 2020]

This film at times is a roller coaster of plot twists and surprises. But it all works and works well. Very well filmed and acted. Worth a watch.

Surprise Hit

[aguayop · 10/10 · 12 November 2018]

Was not disappointed. Great acting! Kept me interested throughout.

Brilliant!!

[swiftmotionpics · 9/10 · 31 October 2018]

This film is deep! Watch it. It works the mind and really make u wonder