New in the cinema: “Hypnotic”: Ben Affleck between illusion and reality

2023-08-08 09:34:43

New in the cinema “Hypnotic”: Ben Affleck between illusion and reality

Ben Affleck as Danny Rourke in a scene from the film “Hypnotic”. photo

© -/Telepool/dpa

Director Robert Rodriguez (“Sin City”) was able to win Ben Affleck for his new film. The action thriller is full of surprises and twists.

The star-studded action thriller “Hypnotic” is a rollercoaster ride full of surprising twists and turns. It all begins with a brief moment of inattention that changed the life of Danny Rourke (Ben Affleck) changed forever.

When his daughter is kidnapped, he sinks into grief and despair. He only finds support in his job as a police officer. While investigating several bank robberies, he suddenly stumbles upon a lead to his missing daughter. He goes in search of the alleged bank robber (William Fichtner), who can mysteriously control his environment.

Rourke is supported by the mysterious Diana Cruz (Alice Braga) and her supernatural abilities. But soon his reality as he knew it is turned upside down and he must question everything and everyone in his world.

Surprise after the credits

“Hypnotic” offers 93 minutes of insane entertainment and thrills. The story contains what the action heart desires: exciting chases, a mysterious villain and a labyrinth of illusions. Tip: stay seated after the credits roll. A second ending has one last surprise in store.

Director Robert Rodriguez (55) had the idea for “Hypnotic” 20 years ago, according to a press release. “Some of the big twists and surprises that you see in this film took a little longer to recognize for myself,” Rodriguez said.

His greatest successes include films such as “From Dusk Till Dawn” (1996) and “Sin City” (2005). Most recently, Rodriguez also directed the Star Wars series The Mandalorian and The Book of Boba Fett.

Big star in the leading role

For the leading role in his new film, he wanted a very big star: Ben Affleck. The 50-year-old two-time Oscar winner said of Rodriguez, “I’ve always wanted to work with him.” With “Hypnotic” he was enthusiastic about the complexity of his character and the script. Danny Rourke does not resemble any of his previous roles.

In addition to Affleck, William Fichtner (66), who starred in “Black Hawk Down” and the hit series “Prison Break”, shines. Fichtner embodies the role of the unpredictable and complex antagonist Dellrayne.

The third in the group is the Brazilian actress Alice Braga (40). She plays the role of psychic Diana Cruz. Braga is known from films like “City of God” and “I Am Legend”.

Postponed start of shooting due to corona pandemic

“Hypnotic” was shot largely in studios in the US state of Texas. In Austin Rodriguez has built his own production site. “It’s every filmmaker’s wet dream,” Affleck said. The corona pandemic got in the way of the planned start of shooting in spring 2020. The first take fell 18 months later.

The result is a fast-paced strip that is reminiscent of “Inception” or “Shutter Island” in many places. Even if “Hypnotic” doesn’t come close, it should be worth going to the cinema for fans of this type of film. “Hypnotic” doesn’t hypnotize the viewer, but entertains him. And what more could you want from an action film?

dpa