Watch Flashback

Flashback is a gripping existential thriller released in 2020, directed by Christopher MacBride. The film stars Dylan O’Brien in the lead role, who delivers a gripping and emotional performance that is both subtle and effective. The movie also features a strong supporting cast, including Liisa Repo-Martell and Maika Monroe, who are equally impressive.

The movie tells the story of Fredrick Fitzell (Dylan O’Brien), a young man who is haunted by the memories of his high school years, where he had a close friend named Cindy (Maika Monroe). Fredrick was always curious about Cindy, who was the center of attention and the most popular girl in school. Despite his attraction towards her, he never found the courage to express his feelings, and their time together in high school was short-lived.

Years later, as Fredrick is struggling to keep his life together and make sense of his past, he starts to experience vivid flashbacks and hallucinations. He begins to get glimpses of his high school days and, as he becomes more obsessed with reconnecting with his past, he discovers a secret he had long forgotten. A forgotten link between Cindy and a purple-haired man who may or may not exist.

As the story unfolds, Fredrick begins to experience a terrifying journey through time and memory, as the past and the present become entangled in a dark psychological suspense. His reality starts to warp and bleed as his memories begin to swirl, ultimately leading him down a path of delirium that threatens his sanity.

The central themes of the movie are mental health, addiction, trauma, and the consequences of repressed emotions. Fredrick's journey is a powerful exploration of the human mind and how it copes with trauma.

The film is beautifully shot, with a dreamlike quality that is both eerie and captivating. The cinematography and the music work together to create an atmosphere of tension and unease that keeps the audience on edge throughout the movie.

One of the standout performances in the movie is from Dylan O’Brien, who delivers an emotional and nuanced portrayal of Fredrick. He effectively conveys the character's vulnerability and sensitivity, making the audience empathize with his emotional struggles. This is aided in quiet moments by Repo-Martell as Fredrick's father, who gives a great portrayal of a parent character with a genuine concern for their son's well-being.

The supporting cast is also noteworthy, with Maika Monroe, as Cindy, serving as both a symbol of Fredrick's unreliable memory and a driving force behind events that haunt him. Her character is multi-faceted but fascinating, and she plays the role with a mix of vulnerability and menace.

Overall, Flashback is an intense and thought-provoking thriller that asks more questions than it answers, challenging its audience to question the nature of memory, reality, and mental health. It's a gripping exploration of the human psyche and a brilliant showcase of Dylan O'Brien's acting ability. It's definitely worth a watch for anyone who is a fan of subtle, psychological thrillers.

Flashback is a 2021 thriller. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.4 and a MetaScore of 49.