Flashback

Flashback is a startling psychological thriller film from 2020 that delves deep into the complexities of human perception, warped reality, and a constant battle between past and present. This film is directed by Christopher MacBride, having showcased his narrative abilities in “The Conspiracy” earlier, which has rightly prepared the audience for riveting watch with Flashback.

The story is a twisted ride through the blurred lines of reality where actor Dylan O’Brien, best known for his work in "The Maze Runner" and "Teen Wolf", breaks away from his action-hero persona, seamlessly embodying the character of Fred Fitzell. Fred is a complex cocktail of emotions; a young man grappling with the onuses of adulthood, steeped in the throes of a new job and married life.

In parallel to Fred's struggles in his present life, he is haunted by his past featuring haunting segments of his high school years. He contends with resurfacing memories of a girl named Cindy, portrayed by Maika Monroe, known for her work in "It Follows", who mysteriously vanished back in high school. As if thrown into a labyrinth, Fred cannot seem to shake off the enigma and finds himself consumed by the desperate quest to unravel Cindy's fate, despite the costs that it may encompass on his personal and work life.

The movie explores the fascinating yet menacing concept of a drug, Mercury, which has links to Fred's clouded past. As the narrative unravels, viewers are kept at the edge of their seats, witnessing Fred's plunge into the depths of skewed reality and his own distorted mind. This mind-bending plot is heightened by sporadic, fragmented questioning of the limits to perception and reality.

Characterized by his carefully nuanced performance, Dylan O’Brien perfectly arrays the spiralling vacillation between Fred's mundane office job in data analysis and his qualms with the enigmatic past. He brings about an effortless fluidity in swaying between these contrasting states while keeping the viewers invested in his character. Liisa Repo-Martell, recognized for films like “Enemy” and “This Life,” further intensifies the film’s ominous allure through her role, injecting a pervading sense of unease and mystery.

Alongside a strong cast, Maika Monroe shines with her unforgettable portrayal of Cindy, interplaying the character with a sense of allure and mystery that complements the hazy narrative effectively. She creates a captivating catalytic figure around which the plot tightens, pulling Fred and the viewers into a vortex of intrigue and incessant curiosity.

The engaging narration is coupled with an eerily intriguing cinematic vibe. The film is slickly crafted with the clever use of artistic cinematography and effective sound design that amplifies the mind-bending trip the protagonist embarks on, setting a dynamic and unnerving visual atmosphere. As the past and present oscillate in this abstract storytelling, the timeline appears to fold onto itself, bringing about a compelling narrative structure that is labyrinthine in nature yet entraps it's audience entirely.

Themes of the movie subtly intertwine with the classic science fiction tropes of time travel and altered realities. But it would be limiting to label Flashback a mere science fiction thriller. It is an amalgamation of various genres, blending mystery, psychological thrill, drama, and elements of horror. It's able to concoct a mesmerizing cocktail of genres that captivate the audience from start to finish.

Flashback is not your usual cinematic experience. It's a thought-provoking film that thrives on the notion of ambiguity and subjective interpretation while compelling the viewers to question the fabric of their own reality. It masterfully keeps a delicate balance between providing engaging storytelling and challenging the audience's intellectual boundaries. Not only does it provide an eerie ride through perception and reality, but it also leaves lingering thoughts that last long after the credits roll.

Whether you're a fan of Dylan O'Brien or someone looking for an unconventional, cerebral movie experience, Flashback will undoubtedly offer an immersive watch, with its unique narrative choice, stellar performances, impressive cinematography, and its introspective exploration of the constant clash between the past and present.