Predestination

I have watched this movie twice the story appears complex so when I first watched I was paying attention but was also trying to work out the connections of the characters and in doing so missing small points. The story is quite unique and at first hard to understand but as you do it highlights the imagination of the writers and the complexity of how they wrote the story I loved it as I love movies that make you think and this one never stops making you think! I don't want to explain my meaning as I don't wish to spoil the story or your entertainment in figuring it out. The acting is great and I am sure you will enjoy the movie maybe your smarter than me and everything falls into place on first viewing either way it is entertaining.

"Predestination" is an incredibly original and creative film, employing what may seem like 'common' aspects of the science-fiction genre, and putting a darker, grimmer twist on them. Time travel is handled quite well in this Australian film, focusing less on the effects of travelling back (and forth) in time than other sci-fi films. "Predestination" uses decidedly odd pacing, beginning with a 'bang' and following that up with almost an hour of subdued plot. But oddly enough, these moments of -almost- pure dialogue and occasional flashbacks never become boring, but rather deepen the film's characters and their back-stories. The cast performances are what really make this movie 'shine'. Ethan Hawke, as usual, delivers an almost flawless performance as the unnamed lead, and Sarah Snook, an Australian newcomer, surprises with her wide range of acting abilities. Overall, the third feature film by the Spierig Brothers is a surprisingly original, daring, and genre-bending film.

Out of Australia, Predestination is directed by Michael Spierig and Peter Spierig (who also scores the music). The Spierig's also adapt the screenplay from Robert A. Heinlein's story "All You Zombies". It stars Ethan Hawke, Sarah Snook, Noah Taylor, Christopher Kirby and Madeleine West. Ben Nott is the cinematographer.

If we throw up a simple synopsis for this pic, it's about a time travelling agent who goes back in time to stop a killer known as "The Fizzle Bomber" - whilst helping a trans-gender man who has just told him a fascinating and emotionally wrought story. But simple is not a word readily associated with the Spierig's deliriously complicated mind meld of a movie.

The first half of film is the story being relayed by Snook to Hawke, and then the film spirals into a world of temporal loops and frazzled paradoxes. This demands the utmost attention from the viewer, a piece guaranteed to have you asking tricky questions, and also likely to have you rewinding some scenes for clarity - like I did!

This is not an actioner, this is very cerebral and sedate in tone, adult science fiction that's as audacious as it is clever. Snook is quite simply outstanding, the various layers she gives to her characterisations grip with intensity and emotional heart tugs. Hawke once again is reassuringly great - in that how he doesn't need to overact, he recognises the tone needed here, whilst knowing it's wise to let his co-star take the main stage.

Thematically the story blends its dizzying thoughts about time and its impact on the human race, with that of our basic human condition, that of identity. This is a very rewarding production for those who wont be popping off to make a cup of coffee during the viewing, it's hoped that in time this will garner more fans and be seen as something of a sci-fi gem. 8/10

Interesting and captivating with a new twist to the classic formula. Great cinematography and excellent acting contribute to this refreshing Sci-Fi/Time Travel film.

Rising actress Sarah Snook with a stellar performance is backed by solid performances of both Hawke and Taylor.

Such movies usually suffer from failed attempts at originality and complexity boarding on confusion. This movie avoids both by not trying to surprise and shock the viewer but rather act more as a mystery novel - unfolding with precision, letting the viewers participate in the events and discoveries to come. Much like a good old Agatha Christie book would successfully do.

The Spierig brothers keep getting better with each movie and this is a great step forward in what seems to be a promising career.

There is nothing new under the Time Travel sun but the delivery is excellent which makes this movie worth watching - at least twice, as any good Time Travel movie requires.

"The Snake that Eats Its own Tail " It's all paradoxical. Predestination is a top-notch Australian science-fiction thriller film based on book All You Zombies has stimulating dialogues, excellent acting and marvelous cinematography.

The story is brilliant and the acting by Ethan Hawke, Sarah Snook, and Noah Taylor is splendid.

The story is recanted by Jane/John to "The Bartender" just like the written book story, and the events of John's story match every detail of the original short story. A Temporal Agent is trying to hunt down the Fizzle Bomber in the past before he devastates NYC in 1975. He fails and the bomb explodes in his face. After face reconstruction, he (Ethan Hawke) travels back to 1970 as a bartender. John (Sarah Snook) walks in claiming to write under the pen name The Unmarried Mother. Back in 1945 Cleveland, baby John was left at an orphanage as a girl they named Jane. She was different and smarter than the other girls. Mr. Robertson (Noah Taylor) recruits her into a mysterious government space program. It's actually a front for the time traveling agency.

Movie is a loopy tale with awestruck ending summing up all twist. Predestination is among one of the best suspense thriller sci-fi. I would highly recommend anyone who is looking for a classic suspense thriller sci-fi to watch this masterpiece.