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Rebirth is a 2016 thriller movie written and directed by Karl Mueller. The movie stars Fran Kranz as Kyle, a man in his 30s, who attends a self-help seminar that changes his life completely. The other notable cast members include Adam Goldberg as Zack, Kyle's old college buddy who introduces him to this seminar, and Nicky Whelan as Naomi, a woman Kyle meets at the seminar who he is drawn to.

When Kyle attends the "Rebirth" retreat, he expects to find some new inspiration, but the experience is more than he bargained for. The seminar is a weekend-long event, mixing bizarre exercises with emotional talks by charismatic leaders. Kyle is surprised by the extent of the seminar's reach and the level of indoctrination it seems to encourage.

At first, Kyle is skeptical about the things that are happening around him during the seminar but slowly he gets more and more involved in the program. He is soon swept up in the excitement and finds he's making connections with people like Naomi, the attractive and intriguing young woman he met at the retreat.

However, when Zack makes a surprise appearance at the seminar, Kyle finds his sense of reality starting to crumble. Zack reminds Kyle of his old self, the person he used to be, the one who gave up on his dreams and settled for a mediocre life. When Zack urges Kyle to question his new, unrecognizable self, and to consider the real motives behind the seminar's charismatic leaders, the ground under Kyle's feet starts to shake.

As the story progresses, we see Kyle's transformation as he goes deeper into the cult-like environment of Rebirth. He's haunted by his memories of life before the seminar and is unsure if he really wants to continue down this path towards enlightenment. At the same time, he's also conflicted about his relationship with Naomi, who he knows is deeply invested in the seminar.

The film takes a unique approach to the cult-thriller genre. Rather than depicting a highly organized and destructive group, the story depicts a more subtle and manipulative organization. Instead of physical harm, the Rebirth retreat promises spiritual and emotional ascension. The leader of the seminar, played by Harry Hamlin, promises attendees that they will experience sleep deprivation, undergo extreme physical challenges, and partake in truth-telling exercises.

What sets Rebirth apart from other cult-thriller movies is the way it transcends its genre. Along with the thriller elements, the movie also includes dark comedy and social satire. Early in the film, we witness Kyle's mundane life fully realized with multiple shots of him stuck in traffic, working a soul-crushing job, and living a loveless life. Later on, when we see the seminar unfold, we see the reality of the modern corporate world mixed with the type of self-help philosophies that have become a modern-day trend.

The acting in Rebirth is top-notch. Fran Kranz delivers an exceptional performance as Kyle. Kranz brings Kyle's transformation to life with an impressive range of emotion, from wide-eyed enthusiasm to emotional paralysis. Adam Goldberg's Zack is a well-placed antagonist who challenges Kyle at every turn. Nicky Whelan's Naomi is mysterious and alluring, and the chemistry she has with Kranz adds depth to the story.

In conclusion, Rebirth is an engaging and thought-provoking movie that explores the dangerous side of seeking personal growth. The film accurately portrays the seductive promise of seminars like this and how they can quickly transform into something more insidious. The sharp script and stand-out performances make it a must-watch for anyone interested in thrillers, dark comedies, or satire.

Rebirth is a 2016 thriller with a runtime of 1 hour and 40 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.0.