Hypnotic (2023)

This is a film that mixes suspense, action and science fiction, directed by Robert Rodriguez, who is also a producer and screenwriter, as well as the owner of Troublemaker Studios, located in Austin, Texas.

Rodriguez co-wrote the screenplay with Max Borenstein, best known for his work on the MonsterVerse film series with the classic Kaijū of Tōhō's Godzilla Mythos.

The plot revolves around a detective who has his daughter kidnapped and in his quest to find her becomes involved in a series of bank robberies done by an enigmatic person who uses the power of hypnosis to commit them.

Faced with the challenge to reality, detective Danny Rourke, played by Ben Affleck, an actor with a long career in the field, seeks the help of a psychic named Diana Cruz, played by Alice Braga, a Brazilian actress who achieved success in the United States with the film I Am Legend, to confront the only man he thinks has the key to recover his daughter.

As the plot progresses, everything becomes stranger and in a confrontation with Dellrayne, played by William Fichtner, of extensive experience in film and TV, he discovers that he also has the power and the film takes unexpected turns that will lead to an unpredictable ending.

The film was released in the United States on May 12, 2023 to mixed reviews from academics and viewers alike, with some finding the script lacking and others pondering the frightening possibilities of mind control becoming a reality.

The rest of the cast consists of J.D. Pardo as Nicks, Dayo Okeniyi as River, Jeff Fahey as Carl, Jackie Earle Haley as Jeremiah, Zane Holtz as Trout, Ruben Cabaalero as Watkins, Kelly Frye as Viv, Sandy Avila as Thelma, Ryan Ryusaki as Bong, Hala Finley as Minnie (age 10) and Ionie Olivia Nieves as Minnie (age 7).

Personally, for those who like the genre, this is a film that you will enjoy as the film sometimes becomes a maze that is hard to guess.