Hypnotic
Hypnotic
Determined to find his missing daughter, Detective Danny Rourke finds himself spiraling down a rabbit hole while investigating a series of reality-bending crimes. Aided by Diana Cruz, a gifted psychic, Rourke simultaneously pursues and is pursued by a lethal specter, the one man he believes holds the key to finding the girl.
Kevin Ward reviewedJuly 2, 2025
Hypnotic felt like Robert Rodriguez trying really hard to make a Christopher Nolan film but with a made-for-tv-movie budget. (Except then you find out this cost $70m 😱) Many elements and imagery are pulled directly from films like Inception, Tenet, and The Dark Knight. Unfortunately, when you evoke imagery of such films, you’re inviting a comparison, and in that regard, Hypnotic pales. Affleck, Braga, and Fichtner do their best to elevate this twisty and convoluted story. An introduction from Robert Rodriguez played just before this advanced screening and pleaded with the audience not to spoil any of the film's twists. However, none of the twists were exceptionally mind-blowing or even satisfying. So while Hypnotic is passably entertaining to watch, I have to stop short of recommending it. It does not come anywhere close to the quality of the films it’s emulating, and you’re better off watching or re-watching one of those instead.