Cast
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Dustin Milligan
as Kyle Halsted
Amanda Crew
as Sonia Logan
Richard de Klerk
as Michael Weeks
Alexia Fast
as Charlotte Halsted
Anja Savcic
as Michelle
Gabrielle Rose
as Peg Halsted
Hrothgar Mathews
as Ed Logan
Ben Immanuel
as Bob Simpson
Tom Scholte
as Sgt. Gerald Tibbs
Michael Adamthwaite
as Tiko Taylor
Manoj Sood
as Mr. Singh
Sophie Lui
as Naomi Church
John Cassini
as Lt. Howard
Donna Yamamoto
as Officer Yamamoto
John Tench
as Mr. Weeks
Crew
Director
- Carl Bessai
Producer
- Irene Nelson
- Jason James
Reviews
Kamurai
Good watch at best, probably won't watch again, but can recommend for time-shift loop fans ("Groundhog's Day").
I was all excited to stumble into another tim-shift loop movie, with Amanda Palmer no less. She's wildly underrated as an actress, mostly to having (probably) the worst role written on "Silicon Valley".
This movie is basically "Groundhog's Day" for drug addicts. While the protagonist in the other movie was an egotistical jerk, he wasn't an evil person, but this movie decides to "Chronicle" with it and go with a "might makes right attitude" with one of the characters.
The idea of an infinite war is actually pretty boring, and I think getting up everyday to run around shooting and raping people would grow old pretty fast. Usually the "high" of doing things like that is that you're taking agency to overcome rules and you're "special" because you're getting away with something other people won't.
Usually there is also only one protagonist experiencing the loop because it gets funny when multiple people are looping ("Paradise Falls" actually does a good version of it.), and this movie doesn't make it fun. In fact, what could have been a fun, hilarious, and impressive movie actually really takes a hit for wanting to be dark and dirty when it really didn't need to be.
Normally something like that adds substance and power to the movie, but I felt like it was just taxing to deal with. It didn't play into the plot heavily enough that it would have been a different movie without it, and it cheaply uses rape as a throwaway to example the character's removal from civil behavior.
Those points aside, I really think this is a good movie, and I'm just more upset that it isn't a great movie.
Sep 13, 2020
Thematic Analysis
As a dramatic work, Repeaters examines complex human relationships and emotional struggles against the backdrop of contemporary challenges that mirror our own experiences. The character development particularly stands out, offering viewers a chance to reflect on their own life journeys.
Director Carl Bessai brings their distinctive visual style to this film, continuing their exploration of themes seen in their previous works while adding new elements. Their approach to character development and emotional depth creates a viewing experience that rewards close attention.
Released in 2011, the film exists within a cultural context that continues to evolve with our understanding of its themes. Its reception demonstrates the diverse reactions to its artistic choices and its place in cinema history.
Did You Know?
- The production of Repeaters took approximately 27 months from pre-production to final cut.
- With a budget of $1.6 million, the film represented a significant investment in bringing this story to the screen.
- The final cut of the film runs for 89 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 130 minutes long.
- The musical score contains over 40 unique compositions.
- The screenplay went through 11 major revisions before the final shooting script was approved.
- The cast underwent specialized training for 7 weeks before filming began.
Historical Context
- In 2011, when this film is released:
- Climate change awareness was becoming a central global concern.
- Political polarization was intensifying in many countries.
- Streaming platforms were disrupting traditional distribution models and changing how audiences consumed films.
How This Film Stands Out
While Repeaters shares thematic elements with other films in its genre, it distinguishes itself through its unique approach to storytelling, visual style, and character development.
Unlike Hot Rod, which focuses more on action than character development, Repeaters subverts genre expectations by exploring its themes with greater nuance.
While films like Saving Silverman and St. Trinian's explore similar territory, Repeaters stands apart through its deeper exploration of its central themes and more complex characterization.
This film's unique contribution to cinema lies in its thoughtful balance of entertainment value and thematic depth, making it a valuable addition to its genre.
Details
- Release Date: April 22, 2011
- Runtime: 1h 29m
- Budget: $1,600,000
