Chronicle
Directed by Josh Trank7.085%72%6.8
Three high school friends gain superpowers after making an incredible discovery underground. Soon they find their lives spinning out of control and their bond tested as they embrace their darker sides.
Where to Watch Chronicle
Chronicle Ratings & Reviews
- Jake27 August 2025holy shit still holds up - 2025
- buford fernsby15 April 2025One of my favorite movies conceptually. RIP to all those innocent ppl but if I was there it woulda been handled fr.
- Eric Charles21 February 2025Hadn't seen this since it came out, and I remembered the broad strokes (found footage take on a fairly grounded "superhero" story) but had forgotten the intricacies. That it's centered on a bullied kid with an abusive father, balanced by his philosophy reading cousin and a popular boy with a good heart, makes clear sense of why there's always a camera on and... well... a lot of teenage behavior. If anything, its failing is that it's a little too obvious and over-explained, but not so much that it would ruin what is otherwise a really solid little movie. It cherry-picks its references (too many to count, but a certain anime springs immediately to mind) but it still stands near the front of the pack of "powers, but not comic book heroes" movies that the post-Marvel success propagated in the early 2010s
- Michael Johnson18 December 2025Chronicle is a movie I really liked, it’s intense, creative, and surprisingly grounded for a found-footage film. The character dynamics feel real, and the story builds in a way that keeps you hooked without overdoing it. It’s not perfect, but it does enough things right that I’d easily rate it 4 out of 5 stars.
- KGM SOSA24 December 2025I’ve always loved this movie. It had been a while since I last watched it, so I gave Chronicle a rewatch & I loved it just as much as ever. The found-footage concept being used outside of traditional horror, mixed with superpower elements, is so damn cool. This isn’t the comic-book variety of superpowers either, it’s highly realistic. The plot follows three teenagers who gain telekinetic abilities after poking around a mysterious hole in the ground, never explicitly explained but clearly feeling like some kind of extraterrestrial phenomenon. At first, they do what any of us would do & screw around with the powers, but things slowly unravel into a complex chain of events. The underlying story beneath the superpowered stuff is surprisingly deep. One of the teenagers is an outcast bullied at school, abused by his alcoholic father & dealing with a sick, dying mother. This film stands out because it isn’t the tired “save the world” superhero cliché. Instead, it’s a grim, realistic & dark portrayal of what happens when superpowers amplify insecurity, isolation & anger. I once saw another review perfectly describe it as “Carrie meets The Blair Witch Project”, that comparison is spot on. The special effects in this film are absolutely god-tier for the time. Chronicle genuinely set a new bar for visual effects when it released & I clearly remember how much better it looked compared to other movies of that era. You can actually see its influence in films that came afterward, this movie raised the industry standard. The effects, combined with strong acting & an authentic found-footage presentation, make the whole thing feel disturbingly real, like this was actual footage repurposed into a film. On the realism front, this is some of the best found footage ever done. It avoids the cheap glitch-fest, shaky-cam nonsense horror movies often use to hide things or artificially build tension, which don’t get me wrong I still love, but this movie feels like how a camera would actually record events in real life. There’s also plenty of heavy imagery throughout with violent domestic abuse, bullying & death. While death isn’t a constant presence, the moments where it occurs are genuinely sad, often involving characters who are sweet & likeable, which makes it hit harder. The acting across the board is phenomenal. This movie was absolutely Michael B. Jordan’s launchpad into stardom, while not his first notable role, it undeniably set him up for defining performances in Creed, Black Panther, Fantastic Four & Sinners. Dane DeHaan delivers a career-defining performance here as well; this was his first major lead role & led to projects like The Amazing Spider-Man 2, ZeroZeroZero, A Cure for Wellness & Valerian. He was truly exceptional in this film. Alex Russell, while given a less deeply written character than the other two, was still remarkable, & this role helped lead him to projects like Carrie, Unbroken, Only the Brave & S.W.A.T. The actor who played the abusive father also deserves enormous credit, obviously a deeply unlikeable character, but portrayed so convincingly that it adds enormous emotional weight to the film. Overall, this is a remarkable movie that hasn’t truly been replicated though I sincerely hope Hollywood keeps trying. This realistic superpower approach is criminally undersaturated. Films like Jumper & Hancock come to mind as the closest cousins & they’re all bangers. Frankly, this subgenre is far more interesting than the wildly oversaturated comic-book superhero movies we keep getting.
- jackmeat8 November 2025My quick rating - 6.9/10. Barely missing the 7 mark, and only because the camera sometimes forgets it’s supposed to help us see things. Chronicle takes the overused “teens get superpowers” setup and actually makes it feel fresh. So, suspend disbelief, grab your Dramamine, and dive in. Three high school buddies accidentally acquire telekinetic powers after poking around a glowing hole in the ground (always a great idea). At first, they’re just doing what any of us would—playing pranks, moving Legos with their minds, and recording everything on what must’ve been the busiest camcorder in Seattle. But soon, the fun turns darker as one of them starts to crack under the weight of, well, being a hormonal teenager with godlike powers. What makes Chronicle stand out is how it grounds its story. It’s not about saving the world—it’s about what happens when power amplifies insecurity, anger, and isolation. The whole thing feels uncomfortably real at times, like if Carrie met The Blair Witch Project but with better special effects and fewer people terrified of trees. Speaking of effects, they’re seriously impressive. The way the visual trickery blends into the found-footage style is seamless—so much so that it kind of sets a new bar for the genre. The flying scenes, the chaos, the destruction—it all feels immediate and raw. You believe these kids are actually doing this stuff, and that’s a credit to both the effects team and the actors, who sell the transformation from goofy teens to tragic figures with surprising depth. The pacing is near perfect; the 90 minutes fly by and build toward an emotional and inevitable finale that’s both thrilling and sad. If it weren’t for the occasional moment where you’re squinting at the screen, wondering who’s holding the camera—or which way is up—this would easily have broken into the 7s. I read some people even got motion sick in theaters, and honestly, I can see why. Still, Chronicle is one of the rare found-footage films that actually justifies its style. It’s bold, tight, and way more thoughtful than it has any right to be. This is the kind of movie that reminds you how good the format can be when someone actually puts effort into it. So fire up your streamer of choice, dim the lights, and enjoy the ride—just maybe keep a barf bag nearby. And ladies, if the rumored sequel ever materializes, I’m there day one.
- Rusticus Beardicus8 April 2026Not a bad movie. Poor guy all he wanted was to be left alone at the end lol that’s all they had to do and everything would have been more or less fine.
- Hakihiko14 March 2025A Fresh Take on the Superhero Genre "Chronicle" is a gripping and unconventional found-footage film that brings a unique perspective to the superhero genre. Unlike traditional action-packed blockbusters, it focuses on realism, exploring how extraordinary abilities could impact human nature, emotions, and relationships. The movie stands out for its creative cinematography, using the found-footage style in a way that feels natural and immersive rather than gimmicky. The special effects are impressive, especially given the film's budget, and they enhance the experience without overshadowing the story. Performances from the lead actors feel genuine, adding depth to the characters and making their journey compelling. One of the strongest aspects of "Chronicle" is its ability to blend different tones-starting with a sense of excitement and wonder before shifting into deeper, more intense territory. While the pacing is mostly strong, some elements could have been explored further, and the final act leans toward a more conventional approach compared to the rest of the film. Overall, "Chronicle" is a refreshing and thought-provoking take on the superhero concept. It's an engaging watch that offers a mix of action, emotion, and originality, making it a solid choice for fans of sci-fi and character-driven storytelling.
- Scott Thomas24 March 2026This is such a better movie than it had any right to be. Just watched it for the third time since it originally came out out.
- Sheila Rose2 March 2026I really thought I would love this based on the premise but I didn’t love all the jittery camera movements, made me dizzy. The performances were weak and the execution was outlandishly silly.
- svei29 December 2025Man of Steel meets Requiem for a Dream. That about covers it. Oh and its all shaky dvcam. Its enjoyable, if a little dark, and its all the more enjoyable if you are not expecting a feel good movie. Bonus points: I just watched Michael B Jordan in The Wire, as a 12 year old, still had a kids voice. Here he's in his late teens, almost a man... watching him grow up after knowing his recent work is pretty interesting.
Watch Chronicle Videos
Chronicle Trivia
Chronicle was released on 1 February 2012.
Chronicle was directed by Josh Trank.
Chronicle has a runtime of 84m.
Chronicle was produced by Adam Schroeder, John Davis.
Three high school friends gain superpowers after making an incredible discovery underground. Soon they find their lives spinning out of control and their bond tested as they embrace their darker sides.
The key characters in Chronicle are Andrew Detmer (Dane DeHaan), Matt Garetty (Alex Russell), Steve Montgomery (Michael B. Jordan).
Chronicle is rated 12A.
Chronicle is a Thriller, Science Fiction, Drama film.
Chronicle has an audience rating of 7.2 out of 10.
Chronicle had a budget of US$15M.
Chronicle has made US$145M at the box office.