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Chronicle
2012 84 min United States of America PG-13 16+
★7.1
Science Fiction, Drama, Thriller
Director: Josh Trank
Trailers
Description
Three high school students make an incredible discovery, leading to their developing uncanny powers beyond their understanding. As they learn to control their abilities and use them to their advantage, their lives start to spin out of control, and their darker sides begin to take over.
Budget:
$15M
US Gross:
$64.58M
Worldwide:
$145M
Starring
Dane DeHaan
Actor
Alex Russell
Actor
Michael B. Jordan
Actor
Awards
Saturn Awards 2013
— Best Science Fiction Film
Key opinion
Chronicle is widely recognized as a revitalizing take on the superhero genre that uses a modest budget and found-footage format to deliver a grounded, character-driven narrative. While some viewers criticize the shaky camera work and predictable character tropes, most agree that the lead performances and the dark, psychological exploration of power set it apart from conventional blockbusters.
| Acting | Dane DeHaan, Michael B. Jordan, and Alex Russell deliver convincing, naturalistic performances that ground the film's premise. | |
| Production | The film utilizes its modest $12 million budget effectively to create impressive, seamless visual effects and spectacle. | |
| Theme | The screenplay successfully subverts standard superhero tropes by focusing on the consequences of teenagers wielding power rather than heroic altruism. | |
| Cinematography | The found-footage, first-person perspective is a point of contention: it creates an intimate, gritty atmosphere for some, but is viewed as nauseating or restrictive by others. | |
| Screenplay | Opinions on the script are divided; supporters appreciate its tight, character-focused structure, while critics find the plot beats and character motivations to be predictable or clichéd. |