Ben Affleck and Robert Rodriguez’s ‘Hypnotic’ Was Doomed From the Start

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  • ‘Hypnotic’ Featured a Well-Known Cast
  • ‘Hypnotic’ Was Very Much a Cursed Film
  • Some Critics Found the Good in ‘Hypnotic’

As someone who has spent countless hours watching films and analyzing their making, I must say that Robert Rodriguez’s “Hypnotic” is a fascinating case study in the world of cinema. Having followed Rodriguez’s career since the early days of “El Mariachi,” it’s heartbreaking to see one of my favorite directors struggle with a production marred by unfortunate circumstances.

Combine one of today’s renowned Hollywood actors, Ben Affleck, with the director of movies like “From Dusk Till Dawn” (1996) and “Once Upon A Time in Mexico” (2003), Robert Rodriguez. This unlikely pairing brings us an action-packed thriller that sees Affleck’s character acquiring the abilities of Marvel’s Doctor Strange, all on a tight budget. Add a dash of family drama to the mix, and you have a unique blend of suspense and emotion. Interestingly, two years before the release of the enigmatic action movie “Hypnotic” (2017), Rodriguez revealed to Collider that he had been working on this project for nearly 20 years, starting in 2002, making it one of his favorite stories.

As a passionate movie enthusiast, I can’t help but ponder: What if the creators of “Hypnotic” had known the disappointing outcome that would unfold – a global box office take barely reaching one-third of its budget, audiences mercilessly criticizing every aspect, even Ben Affleck’s performance, and it becoming Rodriguez’s worst wide opening in his career. Given the intriguing concept, an illustrious cast, and a renowned director at the helm, one has to wonder – what exactly went awry? Is there any redeeming quality in “Hypnotic” that we can salvage, polish, and confidently say was actually commendable?

‘Hypnotic’ Featured a Well-Known Cast

Without a doubt: It’s clear that there were no issues with the celebrity cast in Hypnotic. Alongside Ben Affleck, who portrayed Danny Rourke (a detective from the police department with a troubled past), Alice Braga (known for her roles in ‘Queen of The South’ and ‘Soul’), and William Fichtner (famous for his work in ‘The Longest Yard’ and ‘Mom’) also graced the screen in this film. Braga serves as the initial introduction to the more science fiction elements of Hypnotic, given that she is an enchantress herself, hailing from a mysterious, occult-like background.

Instead of that, Fichtner portrays Dellrayne, a malevolent hypnotist who forms part of a clandestine government agency known as The Division. Their mission is to find a potent weapon called Domino, coincidentally Rourke’s long-lost daughter. Joining him in this series are J.D. Pardo (from Mayans M.C.), Dayo Okeniyi (Shades of Blue), and Jeff Fahey (Horizon Chapter 1). If you appreciate the first two, consider yourself fortunate because Fahey has minimal screen time – approximately 10 minutes near the finale.

‘Hypnotic’ Was Very Much a Cursed Film

Despite every performance showcasing a genuine affection for the script, which may have stemmed from Rodriguez’s fervor as a filmmaker, Hypnotic encountered numerous issues off-screen that ultimately led to its downfall. Initially, the pandemic played a significant role. The director of Machete confirmed that production on Hypnotic was halted not just once but twice (the second pause being due to a new virus strain).

Subsequently, one of the movie’s producers, Hoosegow Productions, took legal action against Chubb National (the insurance provider for the cast), claiming that they had not updated their previous coverage to include COVID-19 safety measures. After a duration of 11 months, the disagreement was resolved amicably. However, by this time, numerous production companies involved in Hypnotic, such as Relativity Media, Solstice Studios, STX Entertainment, and FilmDistrict (the latter two merged with larger studios), had been impacted by pandemic-related issues.

Consequently, these events resulted in Rodriguez shooting the rest of the movie on his private studio backlot (effectively reducing costs), and he even enlisted his relatives to complete the film, who performed admirably. Interestingly, in the same interview, he notes that one of his sons edited ‘Hypnotic’ using the same video game engine as NBC’s ‘Heroes’ at a certain point. Remarkably, this movie ended up being one of Rodriguez’s least expensive productions, second only to ‘El Mariachi’. Some critics argue that it was an unsuccessful effort by Rodriguez to recreate the otherworldly suspense of Christopher Nolan’s ‘Inception’, given that there is indeed a scene depicting the world collapsing in on itself.

Some Critics Found the Good in ‘Hypnotic’

Some might label it a film that’s neither exceptionally good nor bad, but rather a mix of both. Hypnotic falls somewhere in the middle. If Rodriguez’s initial 2023 production had a larger budget, some plot twists could have been more impactful. The design of The Division’s base and their outdoor environment could have been improved as well. Even the hand-to-hand combat scenes could have been executed with greater finesse; instead, they were primarily characterized by intense standoffs hinting at psychic stresses.

The ideas presented are inventive, such as a hypnotic ring backed by the government and ongoing environmental illusions that make viewers doubt everything… however, these creative elements are undermined by a predictable dialogue that lacks justification. At one instance, Affleck’s character forcefully delivers information, breaking the hypnosis even for those in deepest trance, disrupting the enchantment of this film. Moreover, there seems to be no romantic connection between Affleck and Braga — it remains unclear what Rodriguez perceived in their relationship that we can’t comprehend.

Initially, when Hypnotic was initially released, critics had a mostly negative response. However, they did find some positive aspects to mention amidst their criticisms. Remarks such as “it has a gun-happy and conspiracy-minded mood” and “for the most part it’s fast-paced and clever” suggest that there is more to this movie than its flaws. Hypnotic might not be perfect, but it can still be enjoyed if you overlook some of its mind-numbing errors. Right now, you can catch Hypnotic on Peacock.

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2024-12-05 02:32