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Shane Carruth, David Sullivan, Casey Gooden, Anand Upadhyaya, Carrie Crawford ... see more see more... , Jay Butler , John Carruth , Juan Tapia , Ashley Warren , Samantha Thomson , Chip Carruth , Delaney Price , Jack Pyland , Keith Bradshaw , Ashok Upadhyaya , Brandon Blagg , David Joyner , Jon Cook , Eric de Soualhat , Casey Gordon , Casey Goodsen

The debut feature from filmmaker Shane Carruth -- who wrote, directed, photographed, edited, scored, and stars -- Primer is a psychological sci-fi thriller about a group of four tech entrepreneurs. To... read more read more...iling away in a garage, the quartet have successfully created error-checking systems for their clients. But their recent work seems to have created an unexpected and seemingly impossible side-effect. Suddenly, two members of the group realize they are in possession of a device that can double, or perhaps even quadruple, the space-time continuum of anything that enters it. What at first seems like a windfall of astronomical proportions eventually proves to be much more than they bargained for, as the duo attempt to manipulate time to their financial -- and emotional -- benefit. Also starring Casey Gooden, Anand Upadhyaya, and Carrie Crawford, Primer premiered at the 2004 Sundance Film Festival, where it won the coveted Grand Jury Prize for dramatic film. ~ Matthew Tobey, Rovi

Flixster Users

80% liked it

39,447 ratings

Critics

72% liked it

115 critics

PG-13, 1 hr. 20 min.

Directed by: Shane Carruth

Release Date: October 8, 2004

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DVD Release Date: April 5, 2005

Stats: 3,877 reviews

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Primer David Sullivan In Primer Some Fungus... David Sullivan Primer Primer
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Flixster Reviews (3,877)

  • jmanard52
    March 21, 2010
    jmanard52
    an extremely indepth technical tackling of the concept of time travel. I may have to watch it again just to understand everything. it was not dumbed down for the masses for sure. A very solid hard sci fi movie.
  • paulkoh110
    February 11, 2012
    paulkoh110
    If you know what this film means, you are one of the two, a liar or a genius! My mind got blown and blown again with the film's abstract concepts. Deserves more fame but to those who discovery this gem, enjoy the unknown.
  • LorenzoVonMatterhorn
    November 14, 2011
    LorenzoVonMatterhorn
    "What happens if it actually works?"

    Four friends/fledgling entrepreneurs, knowing that there's something bigger and more innovative than the different error-checking devices they've built, wrestle over their new invention.

    ... read more">REVIEW
    A very intriguing story, taking a fresh and original look at the concept of time travel. The premise is brilliant, albeit facilitated by a load of technobabble. The multiple timelines of the story are very interesting, if a bit difficult to figure out. I actually had to go through a complex timeline to at least wrap my head around the story, and I suspect I'll have to watch the movie once more to put it all together. The production quality is quite low, as expected with a mere $7,000 budget, but it doesn't really detract from the movie. In fact, it makes it more believable - a proper budget would have just meant focus on special effects instead of story. Quite complex, but definitely worth watching.

    I would have liked to see the filmmakers go into more depth about the dangers of time travel. The bleeding ears and shaking hands are only two of the effects; it would have been interesting to see what some long-term effects were. In fact, what this movie sorely needed was another 20-30 minutes of screen time. More of an introduction at the beginning - the pacing is really off at the start, and the movie doesn't start going for a while. More filling in of the complex storyline, so it's at least possible to figure it out on the first go. And more of a build-up to the climax, so that it's a more dramatic ending. These are all flaws of a rookie filmmaker, who has written a great screenplay but made a merely good movie.
  • fb634552688
    October 17, 2011
    fb634552688
    What it lacks in story, it makes up for by blowing your mind...over and over again.
  • 366weirdmovies
    September 25, 2011
    366weirdmovies
    Two engineer/entrepreneurs accidentally discover a box that allows time travel, and quickly get themselves into trouble. Extremely confusing, but that's the point: when the two begin casually screwing with causality, both we and they lose track of what's going on and which timel... read moreine we're actually in. If ratings were adjusted for budget, this would get a 5/5---it was made for an incredible $7,000!
  • blacksheepboy
    August 25, 2011
    blacksheepboy
    Produced on a minimal budget of $7,000, this mind-blowing sci-fi mystery is extremely complex and intelligent, and it is amazing how you get more details each time you watch it and try to fit the pieces of this fascinating puzzle. A brilliant film for those who like to be challen... read moreged.
  • Gx7
    September 19, 2010
    Gx7
    One heck of an addictive puzzling snobbish movie. Snobbsh in a way that it doesnt care to dumb down its script or story to the level of the masses. If this was a human being it would have the attitude of "You either get it or you dont."
  • djdemersseman
    April 1, 2010
    djdemersseman
    A move that, for better or worse, takes time travel seriously. For better or worse, that's really all it does--everything else is pretty average. Basically, this movie is directly proportional to your interest in the idea of time travel as serious.
  • fb619846742
    August 1, 2009
    fb619846742
    A constantly challenging sci-fi journey into the ever present theme of time-travel. Instead of leaving reality at the door, this film induces a fair share into it, as well as it's almost overbearing use of technical jargon to make the dialogue almost incomprehensible at times. Wh... read moreere it succeeds is in the interest department, it is never uninteresting, although much of the time confusing. What I liked most about this movie is how the characters reacted, and how unique a lot of it was.
  • DrZeek
    June 22, 2009
    DrZeek
    Abe: Aaron, I can imagine no way in which this thing could be considered anywhere remotely close to safe. All I know is I spent six hours in there and I'm still alive... You still want to do it?

    How do you logically explain time travel? Many movies have had fun with the concept... read more of time travel, but this film does a damn fine job of making you think that every base has been covered. However, it was made by a mathematician, who wants to make sure that all the dialog is extremely technical, which doesn't make for the most entertaining feature.

    Made for $7000, instead of venturing south of the border for some guitar case gun play Rodriguez style, writer/producer/editor/director/star Shane Carruth has made a heavily complex film focused on two guys who accidentally discover time travel.

    After heavily going over the details of all this, which eventually spells out that they can only travel back in time, the two plan to cheat the stock market. Eventually they venture out further to work out how to alter their lives, which drives them to paranoia and questions about their friendship.

    For an extremely low budgeted film, it certainly shows that a lot of care was put into its making. Shots are carefully planned out and its scored well (also handled by Carruth). However, staying engaged in this film is not easy. Its very into itself explaining everything without at any point lowering its bar so just anyone can understand it.

    It is interesting but damn if you really want to be involved to enjoy it.

    Aaron: What's worse, thinking you're being paranoid or knowing you should be?

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Critic Reviews

Michael Booth
February 8, 2008
Michael Booth, Denver Post

Mind-bending thrillers like Primer are terrific viewing with your teenagers. Maybe if you're nice, they'll explain the ending to you. Full Review

J. R. Jones
June 4, 2007
J. R. Jones, Chicago Reader

Scary, puzzling, and different. Full Review

Leah McLaren
December 3, 2004
Leah McLaren, Globe and Mail

An unapologetically cerebral movie of ideas. Full Review

Peter Howell
December 3, 2004
Peter Howell, Toronto Star

It's one thing to admire what writer/director/composer/actor Shane Carruth wrought on his $1.98 digicam budget; it's quite another to have to sit through the mind-numbing results. Full Review

Roger Moore
November 12, 2004
Roger Moore, Orlando Sentinel

It takes a lot for a movie to surprise today's jaded, seen-it, bought-the- PlayStation-version sci-fi fan. Primer can. Let it. Full Review

Tom Long
November 12, 2004
Tom Long, Detroit News

A jigsaw puzzle made of pieces that may or may not fit together, it assumes the intelligence and interest of its audience, a brave move that pays off big.

Terry Lawson
November 12, 2004
Terry Lawson, Detroit Free Press

Carruth challenges us to imagine the impossible, then asks us to consider the moral, ethical and spiritual implications of what we have witnessed, and put those considerations on equal footing with ma... Full Review

Robert Denerstein
November 12, 2004
Robert Denerstein, Denver Rocky Mountain News

Like watching something that's always on the verge of being a movie.

Joe Baltake
October 29, 2004
Joe Baltake, Sacramento Bee

It's different, that's all, and it's good because it's different. Full Review

Roger Ebert
October 29, 2004
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

It is maddening, fascinating and completely successful. Full Review

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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    • Abe: Aaron, I can imagine no way in which this thing could be considered anywhere remotely close to safe. All I know is I spent six hours in there and I'm still alive... You still want to do it?
    • Aaron: Man, are you hungry? I haven't eaten since later this afternoon.
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Primer Trivia

  • Which film won the grand jury prize award at the 2004 Sundance film festival, beating Napoleon Dynamite and Garden State?  Answer »
  • Which canadian movie features two engineers who by accident discovers a way to "travel" through time?  Answer »
  • Primer deals primarily with what phenomenon?  Answer »
  • Notable & Influential Films of ____. Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle I Heart Huckabees Napoleon Dynamite Hotel Rwanda Primer  Answer »
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