Overview & Context
“Synchronic” is an American scientific thriller exploring the intersection of time, death, and the intricacies of human emotion. Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead, the film’s directors, integrate science fiction with elements of horror and an existential psychological drama. As fans of the genre, the sophisticated duo remains true to their cinematic roots by preserving the moody and atmospheric storytelling synonymous with their films, depicting rich character studies while posing deep philosophical inquiries instead of mere breathtaking visuals.
Co-starring Anthony Mackie and Jamie Dornan, the film follows two veteran paramedics in New Orleans. Their work, however, encounters an increasingly strange set of emergency cases involving inexplicable injuries and surreal circumstances. The storyline revolves around a new designer drug, “Synchronic,” that appears to defy the laws of time and space.
“Synchronic” premiered at festivals through 2019 and was distributed in theaters in 2020; the film began to garner a following after its release on subscription platforms, slowly cementing its status as a cult sci-fi film.
Synopsis
This film centers on Steve and Dennis, old-school paramedics who have battled trauma on the streets. Dennis has a wife and kids, but is struggling with the unraveling of his family life. Steve is single and leads a detached life, hiding his emotional scars behind dry humor and self-imposed isolation. Their nightly routine becomes increasingly unsettling as they encounters overdose victims who, in the most bizarre and impossible ways, appear to have died: ancient swords through the abdomen, peculiar burns shrouding the body, and inaccessibly confined places.
With each body discovered, Steve becomes more fixated on the drug Synchronic. Following a troubling incident at work, he is diagnosed with an aggressive brain cancer, one that is situated in the pineal gland–a part of the brain notoriously dubbed the “seat of the soul.” Steve later learns that Synchronic, notorious for allowing the user to travel through time, interacts with that specific region and the effects are short lived. Adults “time travel” as passive, ghost-like spectators for a duration of seven minutes, while adolescents physically disappear and reappear.
After taking Synchronic, Brianna, Dennis’s teenage daughter, goes missing, prompting Steve to launch a frantic mission to understand the drug’s impact and find a method to bring her back. To help her, he begins taking the pills himself and meticulously noting every outcome. Each of his trips transports him to a different era filled with the city’s violent history, including Civil War battlefields, slave-era plantations, and early 20th-century tragedies, based on the location he consumes the pill.
Steve eventually deduces that Brianna is stranded during the 1815 Battle of New Orleans and does a final, heroic “sync” to get there. In what he considers a heroic “sync” to bring her back, he uses his final pill, which does save her but at the cost of his life, and he is mortally wounded, disappearing from the present. In his absence, he does guarantee Brianna’s safe return which also helps mend his beleaguered relationship with Dennis.
Anthony Mackie casts as Steve Denube, a paramedic and the film’s surprising protagonist. Steve is presented as a man on the brink of death, which Mackie portrays with a warm and human touch, infusing the role with the right dose of humor and sadness. Jamie Dornan as Dennis Dannelly completes the cast and is described as Steve’s best friend whom he is professionally wed to and is watching his life unfold.
Ally Ioannides as Brianna Dannelly: The daughter of Dennis, she plays an important role in shaping the emotional journey of the story.
Katie Aselton as Tara: She is Dennis’s wife and embodies the strain of contemporary family life.
Justin Benson is responsible for the film’s screenplay, and alongside Aaron Moorhead serves as the director and producer. Moorhead’s cinematographic work, which he oversees as the film’s director, captures the beauty of New Orleans in a cinematographic tapestry of rich, gloomy textures and shadowy aesthetics. The music, composed by Jimmy LaValle, is minimal yet emotionally charged, reinforcing the film’s sense of tension and wonder.
Themes and Style
The core idea of Synchronic is time, not in the scientific sense only, but as an emotional force as it relates to memory, loss, and identity. The idea of time travel touches upon the idea of nostalgia and serves as a metaphor for the inability of one to go back in time and the importance of living in the moment.
The story remains grounded in the reality of human vulnerability with Steve’s cancer diagnosis. His diagnosis propels the narrative unraveling the mystery of Synchronic and questioning one’s legacy, purpose, and the ability to choose one’s predetermined fate in the shadow of impending death.
The film examines themes of friendship, loyalty, and fatherhood. The bond between Steve and Dennis is deep and complex, marked by years of trauma, cultural differences, and silent emotional ties. More subdued, Dennis’s development captures the anxiety of burdening failure and responsibility.
The film’s visuals of the world and practical effects draw the audience into the narrative. The juxtaposition of modern-day New Orleans and New Orleans in the past transitions smoothly. Past New Orleans is often depicted as chaotic and full of danger, supporting the idea that history is not just fascinating, but also terrifying and violent.
Reception and Interpretation
Both audiences and critics were impressed by Synchronic and gave it positive reviews. Its originality alongside the emotional depth of Mackie’s performance are the most praised, alongside the film’s unique treatment of time travel. Unlike most films in the genre, it does not rely on exposition and special effects. Rather, it prioritizes character-driven narrative and emotional tension.
While some audience members found the pacing slow and the science behind the drug vague, others were appreciative of the contemplation these questions provided. In patience, viewers are rewarded by the riveting storyline that requires deeper thought beyond superficial plot points.
Particularly the ending has generated a conversation. Steve’s fate is tragic but is also redeeming. The decision he makes of giving himself up, is not framed as martyrdom, but rather, as a serene and clear decision. In his last days, he seeks peace and destruction becomes a tool for his salvation – the very thing that should have ruined him, Synchronic.
Conclusion
Synchronic uniquely combines personal narrative storytelling with science fiction. It is not meant for everyone, as it does not rely on shock and spectacle. It seeks to, and does, tell a poignant narrative on the relation of time, death, and human relations. The film, while contemplative, is also stands out with strong performances, it’s moody cinematography, and the concept lingers long after the credits roll. It is one of the more thought-provoking entries in recent sci-fi cinema.
If you enjoy stunning is Synchronic is a must watch. It dares to ask the question, “how do we look at time?”. It is not something to gain control of, or a system to escape, rather it is something to be respected, appreciated, and accepted.
Watch Free Movies on Sflix