Synopsis
In 2023, Robert Rodriguez released Hypnotic, an action thriller which he co-wrote with Max Borenstein. It focuses on an Austin police detective, Danny Rourke, played by Ben Affleck. The film combines elements of Science Fiction and Psychological Thriller in a detective story which revolves on the themes of memory and control.
Rourke is a Texas police detective working on the kidnapping case of his daughter, Minnie. The case has emotionally scarred him, and he is unable to let go of the trauma and guilt stemming from her abduction. For Rourke, the search for Minnie has defined his life, and for all the years he has dedicated to searching and solving the case, he has been left with an all-consuming obsession devoid of emotions.
The story starts with Rourke and his partner investigating a string of bizarre and apparently unrelated crimes. One such incident is the baffling bank heist perpetrated by an invisible bank robber who uses mind control to commandeer his victims, in a fashion reminiscent of deep hypnosis. The investigation brings to light a piece of evidence containing information that could link the robbery to Rourke’s daughter’s kidnapping.
This brings him to Diana Cruz, a gifted woman possessing psychic powers. Diana discloses that the crimes are the output of a collection of Hypnotics—people with the ability to implant and control thoughts, perceptions, and actions through ultra-hypnotic suggestion. Hypnotics are former government agents that are remnants of a top secret program aimed at developing these powerful beings.
While tracing the clues, Rourke and Diana discover a massive conspiracy involving a covert government operation dubbed Division, which sought to train Hypnotics as human weapons. Dellrayne, a rogue Hypnotic, is commonly thought to be the most powerful in the program and is the suspected abducted Minnie.
The story soon reveals that Rourke is more connected to the Hypnotics than he ever thought possible. Every twist unravels a deeper layer of the story and with it, the very foundation of reality as Rourke knows it. Lines are blurred between hallucination, memory, and altered perception—everchanging reality for the audience and the protagonist.
Rourke discovers the profound reality of their relationship: She is his daughter, and deeper still, she is a Hypnotic, perhaps more potent than her father Dellrayne. Her immense power drew the attention of Division; thus, Rourke, along with his wife, who is also a Hypnotic, chose to shelter her and construct intricate false memories to safeguard their family.
The film showcases Rourke’s confrontations with his past, engaging Dellrayne in a reality-bending battle, as well as accepting the full extent of Minnie’s unparalleled abilities. The closing scenes of the film depict Rourke reuniting with his daughter and moving towards the corrupted systems that aimed to exploit them, providing the viewer a feeling of closure.
Cast and Characters
Alice Braga as Diana Cruz: Formerly a government agent, she is a psychic that aids Rourke in the Hypnotic realm. Braga adds in notable mystique to a character that is quite alluring.
William Fichtner as Dellrayne: He portrays a deeply sinister and enigmatic antagonist, and with that, offers the film’s most charismatic and chilling performance.
Ben Affleck as Danny Rourke: In the lead role, a detective grappling with the reality of his daughter’s death, Affleck breathes life to Rourke with a blend of emotional fragility and action persona.
Hala Finley as Minnie Rourke: The abducted daughter who, later, turns out to be key to the whole plot. While Finley’s role is small, it remains crucial to the story.
In supporting roles, JD Pardo, Dayo Okeniyi, and Jeff Fahey also join the cast as agents, allies, and enemies of the film.
Crew and Production
Director: Robert Rodriguez, who is recognized for the stylized films “Sin City,” “Desperado,” and “Alita: Battle Angel.” Rodriguez is heading into cerebral sci-fi territory with “Hypnotic,” though it will contain his trademark action and visual flair.
Writers: Rodriguez and Max Borenstein blended elements of noir detective fiction, psychological thriller, and speculative science fiction to create the film’s screenplay.
Producers: Rodriguez’s production company, along with Solstice Studios and Studio 8, helped produce the film.
Cinematography: The visual tone is dark and sharp. Color palettes and camera techniques that capture a shift in perception and reality being altered utilize color and technique.
Music: The score fuses orchestral elements with atmospheric synths to create suspense while also matching the film’s intense psychological nature.
Themes
- Perception versus Reality
The main theme in Hypnotic is the human perception’s vulnerability. Since Hypnotics have the ability to alter people’s vision, hearing, and memory, the film challenges the viewer’s perception of trust in what they are watching. It becomes philosophical in the sense of questioning control, free will, and the very nature of existence.
- Memory and Trauma
Rourke’s personal trauma of losing a daughter serves both as a plot device and as an emotional tether. The film sheds light on the ability of other people to control memory and how trauma can alter a person’s reality. The struggle with the reality of memories and false memories is fundamental to the characters’ development.
- Power and Ethics
The government’s responsibility in the creation of Hypnotics brings to light the ethical boundaries of control and human experimentation. There is an invisible line of human utilization crossed in the film. The agency, Division, is an example of the perils of institutional control; disregarding individual human lives as pawns in a greater, often failed, scheme of dominion.
- Family and Identity
At the heart of Hypnotic is the emotional core of the story, a father’s love for his daughter, which is the theme of family. The father’s protective, and at times, concealed identity, grows in intensity as the narrative of Minnie’s truth is revealed. Rather than a mere enigma to be solved, the tale offers a redemptive journey exploring themes of bonding, love, and selfless sacrifice.
Tone and Style
The film Hypnotic uses a breathless and frenetic pacing that recalls sci-fi thrillers like Inception and Total Recall. To depict hypnosis and mind control at work, Rodriguez uses blurring of scene transitions, chaotically abrupt changes, and jarring cuts. Distortion and manipulation of visuals paired with the film’s overlay dreamlike qualities reinforce the idea of false and edited realities.
The tone balances stark noir elements with sci-fi spectacular. The story begins as a detective mystery, only to slowly blossom into greater conspiracies and secrets that threaten the very fabric of existence. At its peak, the film instills a feeling of paranoia and disquiet as no character—not even the main character—can trust their mind completely.
Critical Reception
Hypnotic’s release was accompanied with the film receiving a mix of negative and average reviews. Most critics pointed out the lack of character and storyline development, with a flimsy narrative to accompany its complex structure.
Affleck was noted to have performed his role as the main character well, albeit a bit too passive. Many pointed out that his emotional range was limited by the confusing narrative structure. In contrast, William Fichtner was widely praised for embodying the character of Dellrayne, a sinister yet mesmerizing figure. Fichtner’s performance was the best part of an otherwise unfortunately uneven film.
Critics split opinions on the film’s pacing and tonal shifts. Some liked the story’s unpredictability and the many twists in the script, but some found it too convoluted and relied on too much exposition, making it dull. The premise may excite fans of sci-fi thrillers, but casual viewers may struggle to keep up with the film’s intricate framework.
Regardless, Hypnotic received some accolades for its thematic creativity and visuals. Even though it did not perform particularly well in the box office, it gained a following among fans of the genre who appreciate intellectually stimulating thrillers with bizarre plots.
Conclusion
Hypnotic is a science fiction thriller of high-concept that weaves together elements of a noir, action, and a psychological tension narrative focused on perception, identity, and control. The film, directed by Robert Rodriguez and starring Ben Affleck, attempts to showcase the immense capabilities of the human mind—and the ease at which it can be manipulated.
While at times the plot is tangled and uneven, the film’s underlying concepts of memories, reality, and emotional trauma provide depth to its visual elements. Hypnotic is a film that gives the audience a unique experience, challenging what the viewers hold dear to their perception and reality. For fans of twist stories and visually creative thrillers, the experience may be offer to be imperfect but still a treat instead.
Watch Free Movies on Onionplay