They always say that when death comes close, we finally understand what’s important in our lives and what isn’t. However, until that finite moment, we keep on complaining about those long working hours, those noisy neighbors or the decreasing bank account. Paramedics Dennis and Steve are being confronted with (almost) death every day and this makes them realize that their last day might have arrived soon than they think. However, enjoying life to the fullest isn’t easy for both men as it will become clear in the newest film Synchronic from directors Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead (The Endless, Spring).
Dennis (Jamie Dornan) and Steve (Anthony Mackie) met during medical school and since then they became brothers. Every day they’re helping people. Whether they have to deal with a victim of a possible OD, a stabbing victim or someone with severe burns, nothing is too complicated or too hard to handle. After long days at work, they either go for drinks or go their way. Dennis to his wife and teenage daughter, and Steve to his very cute dog.
“Directors Benson and Moorhead wanted to make from Synchronic their baby.”
While the lives are already dark enough due to the bloody and gruesome scenes they encounter, it’s about to get a whole lot worse. After being stepped with a drug needle, Steve needs to see the doctor but that appointment has catastrophic consequences for him. The deaths in the area are increasing rapidly due to an unknown drug called Synchronic.
Steve and Dennis need to handle the most various cases: From a person stabbed with an ancient sword to someone with a very unusual snake bite. Sadly, the same is about the happen with someone close to Dennis and for his, a race against the clock begins as he needs to find out fast what’s going. However, he’s not the only battling against the time…
Directors Benson and Moorhead wanted to make from Synchronic their baby, that’s very clear. Benson didn’t only sit in the directors’ chair but was also the co-editor of this film while Moorhead was the writer, editor, and cinematographer. This film might not be everyone’s taste, but if you’re in for a quirky film that doesn’t take itself too seriously then this will be a very nice watch for you.
“They create that friendship and brotherhood feeling beautifully.”
Synchronic is a film that could have easily been split into two because of the change of focus. The first part is around the friendship, job, and family of the leading men while during the second part the movie becomes a more of a sci-fi one about death, time-traveling and the most important things in life. We won’t spoil it for you, but yeah, the movie will make your head spin. So buckle up, you’re going for a wild ride.
The focus and the vibe in this film don’t only change, but so do the feelings and emotions. The joyful, friendship and loving feelings change toward more insecure, doubtful and perplexing ones. It’s actually for both of the characters, and so Benson and Moorhead needed two great men who could pull this off, each in their own way. Luckily, they hired casting director Mark Bennett. He did a wonderful job by casting Dornan (A Private War, the Fifty Shades trilogy) and Mackie (Avengers: Endgame, Point Blank).
They create that friendship and brotherhood feeling beautifully while giving their own twist to each character. Mackie gives a more emotional performance while Dornan brings more of a rock vibe to this film. Synchronic is a men’s world but luckily there are also some female emotions present provided by Katie Aselton (Deep Murder, Book Club) as the caring and faithful mother who sadly has to deal with the hard life of her husband and her rebellious teenager as the same time. Ally Ioannides (Brand New Old Love, ANiMUS) is very enjoyable as the young, troubled and restless Brianna.
“An intriguing, captivating, acting packed and an emotional rollercoaster.”
While there are some joyful events in this movie, it’s mostly about darkness and troubled times, and so the cinematography is more on the gloomy side. We’re transported (by ambulance) to the hard and uncertain times of the two men and their families by the dark colours that are used and the bombastic and powerful music. When the mood shift in this film happens, the darker colours fade away a little bit and more room for more psychedelic ones.
Synchronic seems maybe a little bit unoriginal as we get the Back to the Future and The Matrix feeling more than once but it’s certainly a film you can enjoy. The main reasons for that? Well, it’s an intriguing, captivating, acting packed and an emotional rollercoaster.
