What happens when you put together a star of the multi-award-winning drama series Succession and the iconic romantic trilogy Before Sunrise? The answer is: one of the best time-travel sci-fi action thrillers of the last 20 years. We are talking about Predestination, a film starring Ethan Hawke (Before Sunrise) and Sarah Snook (Succession), based by the short story All You Zombies by Robert A. Heinlein. The film is now available on HBO Max and is definitely a recommendation for any movie lover.
Directed by brothers Michael and Peter Spierig, the story follows a temporary agent belonging to an enigmatic government organization played by Hawke. His objective is to stop an elusive terrorist dubbed the "Fiddle Bomber." During his mission, the agent encounters an enigmatic character, played by Snook, whose extraordinarily interconnected life is key to the prevention of a massive crime.
The film is characterized by a non-linear narrative, jumping between different eras and unraveling causal relationships between characters. Beyond the excellent performances of its protagonists, who contribute considerable dramatic and emotional weight to each of their onscreen scenes, the spirit of this feature film lies in its well-planned plot twists, especially the magnificent and unexpected closure in its final minutes. The film also addresses deeper and more complex issues such as identity, gender and fatalism, stimulating the viewer to reflect on these questions in the context of a universe where time travel poses both ethical and philosophical dilemmas.
The film, available for streaming, presents itself as a film that not only entertains, but also presents an intellectual challenge, inviting viewers on a journey through the enigmas of time and the consequences that each choice can have on our lives.
