“The present is a miracle, bruh.”

Genre: Low-key Time-trippy Sci-fi Horror
Release Date: 2020
Where I Watched: Amazon Prime

Gist: Dennis and Steve are paramedics in New Orleans, and have been BFFs for ages. But when a strange new designer drug hits the market, their lives are forever changed by the drug’s effects, and its possibilities.

Gotta say: Justin Benson is quickly growing into one of my favorite writer/directors. His ability to craft unique stories that blend science fiction, fantasy, and horror are second to none. And Sync is yet another feather in his cap.

As with Benson’s The Endless, Sync has incredible performers giving it their best. Anthony Mackie and Jamie Dornan carry this film, continuing Benson’s penchant for BFFs facing the unusual together, echoing his own work with co-director Aaron Moorhead. Yet while Sync does explore time, space, and existence like Benson’s prior work? It’s its own thing, focusing this time on expanded consciousness through man made chemicals rather than entities. And it’s just as fascinating as what he’s done before.

While the film focuses on the friendship between Mackie’s Steve and Dornan’s Dennis, there are moments of gritty city life. As the two characters work together in NOLA, we see their cameraderie as well as the gritty city they call home. There’s also plenty of touching personal moments the characters have individually with other people that flesh out the two characters, grounding them in their lives together, and apart. So when strange things keep happening – yeah, strangeness is in this film from the jump – it’s how these two will deal with their circumstances, rather than the weirdness itself.

If I’ve confused the hell outta you with all this, know that it’s not intentional. Well, not really. Sync is a difficult story to break down without spoiling things. And I want you to walk in as blind to the story beats as possible. Seriously. This is a mind-bend of epic proportions, and you’ll want to sink into it. That said, it goes without saying (but I’ll say it anyway) that you should think of Sync as a film you focus all your attention on. This ain’t your laundry-folding escapism. This is a “whoa, what the..how the…I need to know more, tell me Right Now” eyes-glued joint.

The final scene allows viewers to walk away thinking about possibilities and the bonds between friends and family, which is an excellent way to wrap up such a unique ride. Grab some friends, schedule a Watch Party, or just have your besties watch by their lonesome, and discuss. Trust, you’ll want to discuss. Tl;dr? Check out this slow burn, fascinating film.

Come for: Another cool idea from Justin Benson.
Stay for: See above.