To understand Hypnotic, it helps to have seen Robert Rodriguez' 2018 movie, Red 11 - reputedly made on a budget of just $7,000 (the same as his career-launching Mexican production, El Mariachi). It also help to check out some of the special features on discs of his early movies, where he explains his approach to visual creativity.
Considering that background, it's clear that Hypnotic is another Rodriguez low-budget 'guerilla' project. In the era of streaming overload, Rodriguez seems to be moving to a quick-and-dirty model, where he may use one or two big-name actors - or none at all. Where he may use a few minutes of cost-efficient CG effects - or none. Where he'll churn out a script with a collaborator or two, in a minimum amount of time. And where the end result is to create entertainment in its purest, rawest form.
Those who say Hypnotic is rough around the edges are not wrong - but if they think this is accidental, then they're missing the point. Hypnotic is carefully designed to feel edgy, unpolished, immediate. It doesn't shy away from a digital HD look. It does omit literate soliloquies, in favor of serviceable dialog that propels the story forward at a breakneck pace.
This may not be to everyone's tastes, but before deciding to hate it, at least take note of the movie's strengths. Hypnotic has a convoluted SF storyline that remains surprising even after you think you 'get it' - and gradually becomes more logically consistent the more it's folded and crumpled. It's got solid acting. There's sweaty confusion from Ben Affleck, in a role reminiscent of his very entertaining turn in John Woo's 2003 movie Paycheck. William Fichtner is a particularly creepy deadpan villain. And Alice Braga, recognizable from numerous SF/action movies, is the suitably ambiguous femme fatale.
Without following Rodriguez' career too closely, I'm tempted to believe he's taking a path similar to that of John Carpenter, who preferred to make lower-budget movies on his own terms, surrounded by his own collaborators, and unsupervised by what he called the "trailer people" who inevitably move in on every big-budget shooting location.
Be that as it may, I thoroughly enjoyed Hypnotic. I'd say it's a solid 7/10 - but I add one star for Rodriguez' many creative touches: a number of simple yet amazing shots, lots of cheap yet clever action sequences, and the enormous inventiveness (increasingly apparent as the film goes on) in getting a big-budget feel out of some incredibly simple locations and camera tricks. If you've liked Rodriguez' previous movies at all, be sure to check this one out.
Considering that background, it's clear that Hypnotic is another Rodriguez low-budget 'guerilla' project. In the era of streaming overload, Rodriguez seems to be moving to a quick-and-dirty model, where he may use one or two big-name actors - or none at all. Where he may use a few minutes of cost-efficient CG effects - or none. Where he'll churn out a script with a collaborator or two, in a minimum amount of time. And where the end result is to create entertainment in its purest, rawest form.
Those who say Hypnotic is rough around the edges are not wrong - but if they think this is accidental, then they're missing the point. Hypnotic is carefully designed to feel edgy, unpolished, immediate. It doesn't shy away from a digital HD look. It does omit literate soliloquies, in favor of serviceable dialog that propels the story forward at a breakneck pace.
This may not be to everyone's tastes, but before deciding to hate it, at least take note of the movie's strengths. Hypnotic has a convoluted SF storyline that remains surprising even after you think you 'get it' - and gradually becomes more logically consistent the more it's folded and crumpled. It's got solid acting. There's sweaty confusion from Ben Affleck, in a role reminiscent of his very entertaining turn in John Woo's 2003 movie Paycheck. William Fichtner is a particularly creepy deadpan villain. And Alice Braga, recognizable from numerous SF/action movies, is the suitably ambiguous femme fatale.
Without following Rodriguez' career too closely, I'm tempted to believe he's taking a path similar to that of John Carpenter, who preferred to make lower-budget movies on his own terms, surrounded by his own collaborators, and unsupervised by what he called the "trailer people" who inevitably move in on every big-budget shooting location.
Be that as it may, I thoroughly enjoyed Hypnotic. I'd say it's a solid 7/10 - but I add one star for Rodriguez' many creative touches: a number of simple yet amazing shots, lots of cheap yet clever action sequences, and the enormous inventiveness (increasingly apparent as the film goes on) in getting a big-budget feel out of some incredibly simple locations and camera tricks. If you've liked Rodriguez' previous movies at all, be sure to check this one out.