We’ve already reviewed Synchronic back when it screened as part of the BFI London Film Festival 2019 programme. Since then, directors Aaron Moorhead and Justin Benson have tweaked a few things meaning that the version about to release in the UK is a brand new cut. The story, set in modern day New Orleans, follows best-friends and work colleagues, Steve (Jamie Dornan) and Dennis (Anthony Mackie), as they go about their jobs as first-responders.
Despite being life-long friends, the two men couldn’t be at more different stages in their lives, Steve is married with a new-born and an eighteen year-old daughter, whereas Dennis has struggled to settle down and lives the life of the perpetual bachelor. Our story unfolds as the pair are called to a series of strange and unexplainable incidents involving bodies that are found mutilated in strange ways, surrounded by ancient artefacts. Also present at each crime scene is an empty packet for an enigmatic designer drug known as ‘Synchronic’. When Steve’s daughter vanishes in odd circumstances after taking a dose with her friends, Dennis starts investigating the drug and discovers something rather startling – Synchronic transports the consumer back in time for a total of seven minutes. Armed with this information, Dennis experiments with Synchronic and begins his search across time as he attempts to save Steve’s missing daughter.
Written by Benson, who studied Physics during his pre-movie, pre-med days, Synchronic is packed full of brain-aching theories and concepts surrounding time. The decision for Synchronic’s effects to last seven minutes might seem like an arbitrary and random passage of time to pick, but as with everything else, the number has been chosen for a reason. Across philosophy, mythology, and religion, the number seven is regarded as being a magical and powerful number, it’s use here is a clear nod to its existing symbolism. Early on in proceedings, a character remarks that “time is a lie” and this is an important idea to hold onto as the narrative unravels so that you do not get yourself too lost.
Their most recent work of science-fiction, The Endless, saw Moorhead and Benson step into the lead roles, this time around they keep themselves strictly behind the camera and hand the reins over to Dornan and Mackie. Whilst making Synchronic a more starry project, the decision for the duo to step into the background will disappoint some. Their easy chemistry and connection was one of the key components to the success of The Endless. As Steve and Dennis require a similar connection, it’s a shame that they didn’t capitalise on a pre-existing relationship. Mackie and Dornan give great performances, but there is a little spark missing that truly cements them as genuine BFF’s. This separation may in part be a consequence of the story, with the narrative distancing the men from one another for the bulk of the run time.
Moorhead’s cinematography is gorgeous. The filmmakers have a reputation for creating stunningly beautiful films on shoe-string budgets, and here they push the envelope again and craft some breath-taking visuals. Despite being set within a real-world location of New Orleans, from the opening moments it is indicated through the cinematography alone that this isn’t quite the same New Orleans that we know. By imbuing this strangeness from Synchronic’s inception, the viewer is instantly, and unconsciously, transported into the science-fiction arena and is effortlessly prepared for what will follow.
Aaron Moorhead and Justin Benson are two of the most consistent filmmakers working today. Together they’ve crafted their own unique brand of Lovecraftian, emotional science-fiction. Their first film Resolution is criminally underseen with their follow-ups Linklater with monsters, romance Spring, and cult head churner The Endless, generating more of a following, but still not quite enough to see them burst through properly into the mainstream. By casting both Jamie Dornan and Anthony Mackie, the duo are guaranteed to reach a much wider audience, infecting them with their brand of strangeness. Those not familiar with the pair’s signature style of story-telling may find themselves struggling to figure things out, but the already indoctrinated will recognise all the trappings of their intricate narrative structure.
Signature Entertainment will release Synchronic on home premiere 29th January 2021.
Synchronic
Summary
Moorhead and Benson make moves into the big movie leagues with this star-powered, brain-frazzling exploration of the bonds of friendship and the constructs of time.
