2020 was certainly a year of ups and downs for movie releases, but the latest film from the director duo Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead definitely shined in a year of bleakness. From the writer/director pair that created modern cult classics such as 2012’s “Resolution” and 2017’s “The Endless,” as well as the 2014 body-horror romance film “Spring,” comes a science-fiction horror masterpiece called “Synchronic.” Lately, it feels like time travel films are a dime a dozen, and most of the time audiences will groan when a time travel element is introduced. “Synchronic,” however, provides a fresh take on the concept, as it hones in on the truly horrifying elements of this idea. 

The film follows two best friend paramedics, Dennis and Steve, who unfortunately see a lot of horrible stuff on a regular basis. Their nights are filled with crime scenes, overdoses, and gruesome discoveries. Dennis is a family man with a marriage on the rocks and a rebellious teenage daughter. Steve lives the bachelor life that Dennis envies, but struggles with personal problems that he hasn’t yet revealed to his best friend. On top of all this, a new synthetic drug has hit the streets called “Synchronic,” and it seems to be responsible for a growing number of strange deaths. 

Anthony Mackie, known for his role as Falcon in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, absolutely blows it out of the water in his role as Steve Denube. The writing and cinematography do wonders to showcase his inner turmoil, as well as his curiousness in regard to this new drug on the streets. When backed into a corner, Steve experiments with the new drug and experiences its terrifying effects. Disbelief turns to belief turns to dependance as Steve realizes this drug could solve a mystery that’s tearing his partner’s life apart. 

Jamie Dornan, best known for his roles in BBC’s “The Fall” and the “Fifty Shades” trilogy, also produces a high-caliber performance as Dennis Dannelly. Dennis has the family life that many would dream of, but he seems to covet the greener grass of his partner Steve’s single lifestyle. As the deaths pile up on the street, Dennis notices a decline in the health and overall stability of his partner. When tragedy strikes, Dennis’ world is turned upside down, and there seems to be no light at the end of his dark tunnel. 

“Synchronic” presents an incredibly tight, fast-paced, urgency-driven science-fiction drama sprinkled with some truly frightening elements that make you rethink whatever fantasies you had about time travel. Everyone has, at some time, looked back on the past with nostalgia, wishing they could experience life in a different era. Benson and Moorhead do a fantastic job at illuminating the idea that the past is only beautiful as the tint of your rose-colored glasses.

Without spoiling any of the film, I can honestly say that I was pleasantly surprised by how gorgeous this film turned out to be. The acting, cinematography, visual effects, score, and pressing tone of the story gripped my attention and wouldn’t release me until the credits rolled. Despite the turmoil that 2020 wreaked on the theater business, there were in fact several films to release last year. Still, I do not apply any caveat or asterisk when I say that “Synchronic” was by far one of the best movies of the year and would have easily made my top ten in a non-covid year as well. The film is brilliant, refreshing, and downright scary at times, and I truly appreciate Benson and Moorhead for it! I give this film 5 out of 5. 

P.S. At the time of writing this review, as well as when I interviewed the director duo (you can find the video on the Victims and Villains’ Youtube page), the news had not yet dropped that Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead have been signed to direct multiple episodes of the upcoming Marvel Studios series “Moon Knight” for Disney Plus. I could not be more excited for this announcement. There are certainly some fun, horror elements to the “Moon Knight” story, and I can’t wait to see this duo tackle that property!

RORSCHACH RATING:

Mental Health Moment:  As I briefly mentioned in this review, the two main characters have very different lives and seem to make false assumptions about each other. A family man might have trouble at home that isn’t apparent to the neighbors. A single individual might be dealing with personal issues that don’t make the single life as appealing as outsiders might think it is. When things are rough in our life, it is easy to look at someone else and assume they have it better. That assumption then tends to lead toward a sense of envy that can be hard to overcome. 

The fact is, most things look attractive from the outside looking in, when you don’t have to deal with or understand the intricacies and issues on the inside. Most people work so hard to keep their private life, well private! So, it is a fair guess that whatever you think you know about someone or someone’s lifestyle is just the tip of the iceberg. Especially among friends, this way of thinking can lead to you missing the signs that might alarm you to troubles your friend may have. If you focus too much on your assumptions of an individual, you might easily miss the realities that are right in front of you. 

So, if I can give any advice, it would be to spend more time nurturing and developing relationships than making assumptions that tend to create a divide. Friends rely on each other to get through life and all of its challenges. The more honest, open, and transparent you can be with your loved ones, the closer you will likely be. Assumptions only build barriers, and sometimes those barriers don’t come down in time to fix things. 

If you or someone you know is reading this right now and struggling with suicide, depression, addiction, or self-harm - please reach out. Comment, message, or tweet at us. Go to victimsandvillains.net/hope for more resources. Call the suicide lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. Text "HELP" to 741-741. There is hope & you DO have so much value and worth!

Victims and Villains is written (and produced) by Josh "Captain Nostalgia" Burkey and others, and edited by Cam Smith. Music by Mallory Johnson and others. Hunted is property of Shudder. We do not own nor claim any rights.

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