Flashback (2021)

JPV852 June 6, 2021

★ 6/10

Interesting ideas and a bit pretentious with the dialogue at times, this one reminded me a bit of The Butterfly Effect. I was mostly confused throughout the entire thing, but can at least admire the performances from both Dylan O'Brien and Maika Monroe, albeit every character doesn't have a whole lot of depth. I normally enjoy mysteries but this one was way out there for me to follow or care about by the end. I'll give it this much, it is unique... **3.0/5**

Aaron October 30, 2024

★ 10/10

Flashback is more than just a mind-bending thriller; it's a profound exploration of reality, choice, and enlightenment, deeply rooted in Gnostic philosophy. The film follows Fred, whose life takes a radical turn when he decides to defy the conventional path—literally driving the wrong way on a one-way street. This act symbolizes his break from societal norms and the start of his journey toward higher understanding. At the heart of the film is the concept of the demiurge—a deceptive force from Gnostic teachings known as Yaldabaoth. This invasive life-form seeks to control consciousness by imposing the illusion of the material world, using constructs like language, numbers, color, and shape to keep us confined. It manipulates our perception of time, making us believe in a linear progression of cause and effect, thereby limiting our ability to see the true nature of reality. Fred'…