Watch Twelve Monkeys

In the year 2035, the world as we know it has been destroyed by a deadly virus that wiped out 99% of humanity. The survivors live underground in a bleak and sterile environment, ruled by a series of oppressive institutions that keep people in line through fear and misinformation. James Cole (Bruce Willis) is a prisoner in this dystopian future, a man haunted by memories of a time he never knew – a time before the virus, before the collapse of society. When he is given the chance to go back in time and stop the virus from ever happening, he jumps at the opportunity, even though he knows it will mean risking everything.

The journey takes Cole back to the year 1996, where he encounters Dr. Kathryn Railly (Madeleine Stowe), a psychiatrist at a mental institution. Railly is initially skeptical of Cole's story – he claims to be from the future – but as they spend more time together, she begins to question her own sanity.

One of the standout performances in the film comes from Brad Pitt, who plays Jeffrey Goines, the son of a renowned virologist who is passionate about animal rights and environmental activism. Goines is also a patient in the mental institution, and as Cole and Railly try to track down the source of the virus, they begin to suspect that Goines may hold the key to stopping it.

As the plot deepens, the boundaries between past and present, reality and delusion, become increasingly blurred. Cole's mission becomes an obsession, and the people around him start to wonder whether he is truly trying to save the world, or simply losing his mind.

Despite the grim setting and dystopian themes, Twelve Monkeys is also a film full of surprises, twists, and unexpected moments of humor. It explores weighty themes like free will, determinism, and the nature of memory, but never loses sight of the human element at the center of the story.

Director Terry Gilliam – known for his signature visual style and surrealistic approach to storytelling – creates a vivid and imaginative world that feels both futuristic and timeless. The film's visual effects – which include time travel sequences and intricate sets that visualize the future world – were impressive for the time it was released. Moreover, the atmospheric score by composer Paul Buckmaster elevates the mood of the film.

At its core, Twelve Monkeys is a compelling and engaging exploration of what it means to be human when faced with the possibility of our own extinction. It is a film that rewards repeat viewings, as new clues and details emerge with each watch. Its ambiguous ending leaves room for interpretation and discussion, inspiring debate and reflection long after the credits have rolled.

Overall, Twelve Monkeys is a unique and ambitious film that still stands up as a classic of 90s science fiction. With a strong cast, inventive storytelling, and unforgettable imagery, it remains a must-watch for fans of cerebral genre films.

Twelve Monkeys is a 1995 science fiction movie with a runtime of 2 hours and 10 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 8.0 and a MetaScore of 74.