Catalyst

I had to make an account JUST to review this movie. What's been more entertaining than the movie is coming to read some of the 10/10 reviews and doing some research on the creators.

The movie opens with a quote by "Shaman Durek" who, I've discovered, is an "American conspiracy theorist, convicted felon, alternative therapist, and self-professed shaman as a practitioner of Neoshamanism. " which is, to put it mildly, a hysterical way to open your movie.

The story follows a guy named Alek who we see preparing to murder a priest. He fires a shot, leaves the church and is preparing to commit suicide when masked men taze him and pull him into a white van.

They tell him some cryptic things we will hear over and over again throughout the movie. We will keep flashing back to things that previously happened revealing more context each time, or sometimes revealing absolutely nothing new. They were perhaps assuming that since the target audience is your average Joe Rogan listener that they need a reminder of what they saw five minutes ago.

Alek wakes up in the desert next to a car. He finds a jumpsuit in the trunk and puts it on. A phone rings on the ground and he picks it up. A couple of robotic voices give him instructions which he proceeds to not follow and gets tazed again.

Now he wakes up in a room with a bunch of other guys. They're given instructions to "kill the parasite among you" within 60 minutes or they all die. They've been fitted with fancy shock collars and theres some kind of forcefield separating them from their masked captors. They argue for what feels like forever and somehow none of them try to kill one another despite them all being extremely volatile individuals with sordid pasts.

It basically turns into a group therapy session somehow. By the end of the sixty minutes they are taking turns around the circle, confessing their sins and offering words of encouragement. It makes absolutely no goddamn sense and feels extremely forced. I was laughing at the dialogue and pacing of the whole thing.

The camera would NOT stay put for one second. Gratuitous use of digital effects for the tazers, forcefields, computer terminal overlays, etc. The actors were often speaking over each other, seemingly trying to mimic "real" conversations but instead feeling like a badly rehearsed stage play. CONSTANT cuts between them wearing some kind of holo-helmet, past events, current events, reiterating points over and over again that had already been established.

About halfway through the movie, I had "gotten the point" about a dozen times already and was waiting for there to be something, ANYTHING else added to the story or themes. I could see them leading up to a twist but it was telegraphed from a mile away and had essentially no substance.

The thesis of the film is stated from the get go, but it is hilariously summed up at the end when Alek speaks to the organizer/architect of the whole program, group, whatever you want to call it. She LITERALLY quotes the freaking two wolves story. "There are two wolves and they are always fighting. One is darkness and despair, the other is light and hope. Which wolf wins? The one you feed"

Basically their organization kidnaps people and forces them under duress to either become better people or die/be imprisoned forever. And this is unironically offered as an ideal scenario for entering a new and better era of humankind.

Anyways steer clear of watching this if you want something good. If you like bad movies, it might be fun in a group-watch setting but even then I find it too boring to recommend.

This movie is terrible. So many stupid synthetic voices and visual cruft. No amount of echoed voices, black and white scenes and broken bike (hologram device) helmets can cover up a pretentious waste of time.

Ignore below character count padding.

This movie is terrible. So many stupid synthetic voices and visual cruft. No amount of echoed voices, black and white scenes and broken bike (hologram device) helmets can cover up a pretentious waste of time.

This movie is terrible. So many stupid synthetic voices and visual cruft. No amount of echoed voices, black and white scenes and broken bike (hologram device) helmets can cover up a pretentious waste of time.

Totally amazing! A thinker movie that fits times before and now. You can't miss a minute of it ! Makes you think about choices in your life and how to be the catalyst for change. How that needs to be in the world today. Michael Roark & the other actors, how they worked and played off of each other was awesome. They keep your interest and made you think with them.

And you were with them to try to solve the questions posed. Definitely a movie to watch more than once! So glad it finally was able to be seen, along time in the making! But so worth the wait! Bravo to all involved! Kept us thinking! Everyone needs to be that catalyst! 10+++++++++

Christopher Folkens' direction brings a visually captivating and emotionally charged experience. The film features a mix of futuristic technology and raw, intimate moments, creating a dynamic contrast that keeps viewers engaged.

The film really pulls you in with its stunning visuals. You've got these high-tech gadgets and settings that make everything feel super modern, but then you also get those really personal moments that hit you right in the feels. It's like a rollercoaster of emotions, and that mix keeps you on your toes the whole time!

Catalyst won't disappoint and you will be apart of the movie. Grab your friends and family to join you and get ready to be captivated!

Every once in a while, a film comes along that doesn't just entertain-it challenges, heals, and sparks the conversations we've been avoiding. Catalyst is that film. It's more than just a movie; it's an experience, a reckoning, and ultimately, a reminder of the power of forgiveness in a world that feels more divided than ever.

From the opening scene, Catalyst grips you with its raw, emotional storytelling. The performances are nothing short of breathtaking-each character feels real, flawed, and deeply human. The script doesn't shy away from the hard questions, diving headfirst into the pain of betrayal, the weight of resentment, and the profound struggle of finding common ground. But what makes Catalyst truly remarkable is that it doesn't settle for easy answers. Instead, it walks us through the messy, heartbreaking, yet ultimately transformative process of reconciliation.

In today's cultural climate, where every misstep can lead to permanent division, Catalyst dares to ask: Can we still find it in ourselves to forgive? Can we move beyond the mistakes of the past without erasing accountability? The way it weaves these themes into a compelling, beautifully shot narrative is nothing short of masterful.

What lingers most after the credits roll isn't just the story itself, but the way it makes you reflect on your own life-on the grudges you hold, the conversations you've avoided, and the possibility of healing in places you thought were permanently broken.

Catalyst isn't just timely; it's urgent. It's a mirror held up to society, reminding us that while division is easy, forgiveness takes courage. And perhaps, if we're willing to take that first step, it's not too late to mend what's been broken.

This film is a must-watch. Not just for cinephiles, but for anyone who believes in the power of storytelling to change the world.