Butterfly Effect, The

USA 2003, 113 minutes
Dir. Eric Bress, J Mackye Gruber
Rating: [R16]
Genres: Horror, Science Fiction, Suspense/Crime

Feat. Ashton Kutcher, Amy Smart, Eric Stoltz

Aroview: A timewarping thriller with a touch of genuine B-movie originality, this portrays the unintended consequences when its young hero (Kutcher) discovers he can alter past events by reading aloud from a childhood diary.

Tipping at cult-movie status, this wisely abandons 'scientific' credibility for violence, black humour and teen psychologising, and it succeeded, despite a critical roasting, in becoming a 'sleeper' hit in the US. Between Kutcher's doomed, control-freak attempts to 'correct' the past and the extremely ugly family truths he discovers, this covers ground that will satiate many a ghoulish horror-fan.

Member Reviews

Average rating (Good Enough). Showing 1-3 of 4 member reviews.

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3 stars (Good Enough) A film that is ridiculed for seemingly little reason: Kutcher is good enough, the plot twists and turns and provides plenty of intrigue, and the effects are unique. A decent sci fi flick no-matter what the critics say. ~Tom H
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1 star (Turkey) Psychology student discovers by re-reading his childhood journals, he can revisit his past and alter traumatic events and hopefully improve their previously unfortunate outcomes. Utterly ridiculous, a true turkey of a film. ~GenXGirl
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5 stars (Exceptional) A solid lead, a twisty, engaging plot and a ton of dark humour make for a pretty damn spectacular film in my opinion. Then again, it can't hold a candle to a certain time-travelling teen and his psychotic rabbit. ~Wizzums