Synchronic

Directed by Aaron Moorhead and Justin Benson, Synchronic follows paramedics Steve (Anthony Mackie) and Dennis (Jamie Dornan) as they encounter a series of bizarre deaths related to a hot new designer drug – with Steve’s medical problems eventually pushing him into trying the narcotic himself. There’s little doubt that Moorhead and Benson do a superb job of instantly (and completely) capturing the viewer’s interest and attention, as Synchronic opens with an almost aggressively portentous first act that’s as baffling as it is intriguing – with the filmmakers augmenting the oddball happenings with Moorhead’s lush, cinematic visuals and Jimmy LaValle’s seriously atmospheric score. It’s only as the picture’s secrets are revealed that Synchronic begins to lose a bit of its luster, as the comparatively straight-forward second half, entertaining as it may be, is all-too-often reminiscent of a Twilight Zone or Outer Limits episode. There’s nevertheless little doubt that, for the most part, Synchronic succeeds as a compelling (albeit occasionally mean-spirited) sci-fi thriller, with the strong work from both Mackie and Dornan anchoring the proceedings for the duration of its running time.

*** out of ****