Predestination

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

"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.

Twisty, turny and mind-bending, one viewing won't be enough for this time travelling head scratcher. Two plots – one revolving around Ethan Hawke's temporal agent seeking to stop a terrorist, the other following the life of a precocious orphan who isn't quite like everybody else – are intricately and intelligently woven together to not only build tension but to explore provocative themes to spoiler-y to mention here. In fact, Predestination is one of those movies its hard to say much of anything about. It's such a meticulously drip-fed thriller – slowly and superbly unravelling as each and every minute of the runtime ticks on – that the real joy here is unwrapping and grasping (or attempting to any rate) what it is you're actually witnessing. In his second collaboration with Aussie filmmakers the Spierig Brothers, Hawke is in career-best form as the veteran time traveller on the brink of burning out, whilst relative newcomer Sarah Snook (born and bred South Australian) is outstanding in a complex and demanding role that has rightly grabbed the attention of Hollywood. The Spierig's also demonstrate their diversity in both the writing and directing departments, going from the enjoyable but tonally lightweight splatter-fest Daybreakers to this altogether more mature, thematically heavy and narratively elaborate sci-fi saga that still manages to maintain a high excitement level. This year's Looper or Inception.

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.

it's been a while since i've been this satisfied with a movie, it's compelling, thought provoking and extremely clever film that keeps you guessing to the last frame.

excellent storytelling thanks for the great work from the directors/writers despite the low budget they pulled out a great movie with good production values, sets, costumes and special effects.

powerhouse performances from the two leads Ethan Hawke as usual is a very serious actor though he haven't been in any good movies in the past few years but you can see that he's making a comeback with this one as well as this years magnificent BOYHOOD but his performance in PREDESTINATION is a very strong one because he had to handle such a very complicated character, same thing goes for Sarah Snook.

the less i say about the plot the better, this is the kind of movies where you have focus throughout the whole runtime of it trying to figure out where is it going and any detail that you miss might ruin the whole experience for you but hey don't worry there's an explanation for everything here.

this movie is one of this years' personal favorites as well as the indie of the year so far (still have to see BIRDMAN).