Synchronic – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Synchronic

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

movie2020

38%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Time-bending sci-fi thriller about paramedics and a deadly designer drug—smart concept, very dark execution, adults only.

79%

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Synchronic

movie

R, 2020

38%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Time-bending sci-fi thriller about paramedics and a deadly designer drug—smart concept, very dark execution, adults only.

79%

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Screenwise Verdict

Synchronic has a genuinely cool sci-fi premise—a drug that causes time displacement, explored through the eyes of New Orleans paramedics. The directors (Benson and Moorhead) know how to do thoughtful indie sci-fi, and the reviews suggest this delivers on ideas about time, mortality, and friendship.

But let's be clear: this is not family viewing. The premise requires graphic paramedic scenes, horrific deaths, and drug use as a central plot device. It's dark, disturbing, and firmly adult territory.

For grown-ups who like cerebral sci-fi with a gritty edge, this could be worth the watch. The 79% critic score and 76% audience score suggest it delivers. But keep the kids far away—this earns its adult rating and then some.

Age Fit

This is for adults and very mature older teens (17+) who can handle graphic violence, disturbing imagery, and heavy themes. The sci-fi concept is interesting but the execution is intense and dark. Not appropriate for anyone younger, full stop.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Two paramedics dealing with horrific deaths and a designer drug that causes bizarre effects isn't emotionally healthy viewing. The premise centers on death, drug use, and traumatic scenarios. While friendship between the leads likely provides some emotional grounding, the overall tone is dark and disturbing rather than uplifting or balanced.

Imaginative

The concept of a designer drug with 'otherworldly effects' that causes time displacement is genuinely original sci-fi territory. Directors Benson and Moorhead are known for inventive indie sci-fi (The Endless, Spring), and this premise invites curiosity about time, reality, and consequences. The execution is reportedly thoughtful rather than just shock value.

Safe

This is emphatically not safe for kids. Horrific deaths, graphic paramedic scenes, drug use as a central plot device, and likely violence and disturbing imagery throughout. Common Sense Media pegs it at 15+, but even that feels young given the premise. This is R-rated territory with content that would be traumatic for younger viewers to stumble upon.

Enriching

For mature teens and adults, there's likely meaningful exploration of mortality, friendship, sacrifice, and time. The sci-fi premise invites thinking about causality and consequences. Reviews suggest it's more thoughtful than exploitative. But the enrichment is locked behind a very adult presentation that limits who can actually engage with these ideas.

Parent Info

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Why It Might Be Great

Genuinely original sci-fi premise that explores time travel through a grounded, gritty lens rather than glossy blockbuster treatment
Strong critical reception (79% RT) suggests thoughtful execution from indie sci-fi directors known for cerebral work
Explores meaningful themes of friendship, mortality, and sacrifice if you can handle the intense wrapping
Anthony Mackie in a lead role doing serious dramatic work outside the Marvel universe

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What to Watch For

Graphic paramedic scenes with horrific deaths—this is not sanitized TV medicine
Drug use is central to the plot, including experimentation with the substance
Dark, disturbing tone throughout with likely violence and body horror
This is firmly 17+ territory despite Common Sense saying 15—trust your gut on maturity

Conversation Starters

"If you could travel through time but it was dangerous and unpredictable, would you do it to save someone you love?"
"The movie shows paramedics dealing with trauma every day—how do you think people in those jobs cope with what they see?"
"What would you do if you discovered something that could change reality but was incredibly dangerous?"

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