Hypnotic – An Original Action Thriller Lacking in Execution

For a while, it felt like Hypnotic was never going to see the light of day due to issues involving its distributor but now it is finally releasing in theatres in the United States this weekend. The newest film from director Robert Rodriguez stars Ben Affleck in the lead role as Detective Danny Rourke. There are a lot of moving pieces to the plot, but the central story follows Rourke as he investigates a string of reality-bending crimes that involve his missing daughter and a secret government program. The film is the very definition of a mixed bag and for every cool and innovative choice it makes, it makes one that is equally frustrating and/or head scratching. This fact is one that will likely split audience members down the middle over the course of its many twists and turns but nevertheless, it is always interesting and never boring no matter how silly and ridiculous it may get.

The first act of the film is genuinely solid and starts things off on an intriguing note with all of its moving pieces. It sets up its mystery well in a way that retains audience interest in finding the answers and in the ultimate outcome. They will be left questioning what is real and what’s not from the very start but in the best sense. After a hectic opening act, it does start to lose steam and become overly convoluted with too many scenes featuring characters dumping exposition to the audience so they don’t get lost in the plot. Such scenes became far more frequent as the film went on and making it rather frustrating that this information is being told to the audience rather than shown especially considering how much the film cost to make. There are numerous twists and turns the plot takes throughout, and while admittedly a lot of them are pretty ambitious and unique, they don’t always work and more often than not, they come off as a bit silly or far fetched. Without giving anything away, the main reveal is pretty neat and will have audiences considering all that came before in a completely new light.

While it’s hard to say Hypnotic is all that good of a film, it is still an entertaining one and one that is very easy to watch, especially with it’s brisk 93-minute running time and fast pace. It is also nice to see Affleck in a role that is a departure from his more recent work and feels like a role he would have taken on earlier in his career. He easily gives the best performance and is compelling to watch in a role that he could have very easily phoned in. Braga, as Diana Cruz, is given a good opportunity to show off her acting abilities and has solid chemistry with Affleck. Fichtner might not get a ton to work with as the villain, Dellrayne, but he’s one of the best parts of the film, delivering a surprisingly menacing performance despite being a thin character. It is commendable to see an original action thriller with a budget like this still getting made and released in theatres no matter the quality of it. Meanwhile, it also serves as a reminder that Rodriguez can still direct an action set piece quite well.

In the end, Hypnotic is a great idea on paper that thankfully translates to a watchable product, but there’s no denying its execution could’ve been a lot better. Its story should have been told with a lot more energy and style especially coming from someone like Rodriguez who is usually known more for his visuals and style (which are surprisingly muted here) than story and characters. The film feels more akin to something written in the 1990’s or 2000’s but took a few decades to be made. Either way it is nice that a film like this exists in theatres and didn’t simply get dumped on a streaming service like it easily could have. While it’s tough to recommend, if it seems like a film that may peek one’s interest, it could be worth seeking out.

still courtesy of Hypnotic Film Holdings LLC

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Connor Carey

www.connorsmoviereviews.com/