Hypnotic movie starring Ben Affleck set to weave a tall tale about what really happens with hypnosis

The film Hypnotic is scheduled to be released in the United States on May 12, 2023, by Relativity Media and Ketchup Entertainment. It is a 2023 American science fiction action thriller film co-written and directed by Robert Rodriguez. The film stars Ben Affleck, Alice Braga, J. D. Pardo, Hala Finley, Dayo Okeniyi, Jeff Fahey, Jackie Earle Haley, and William Fichtner.

Here is the synopsis of the film:

"A young woman seeks out a hypnotist to help her change her life, but soon finds herself caught in a dangerous mind game."

The film has received mixed reviews from critics, with some praising its suspenseful atmosphere and Affleck's performance, while others criticizing its predictable plot and lack of originality.

What is the film Hypnotic about?

Is the hypnosis in Hypnotic Fake? 

Synopsis of Hypnotic

 

Determined to find his missing daughter, Austin detective Danny Rourke (Ben Affleck) instead finds himself spiraling down a rabbit hole while investigating a series of reality-bending bank robberies where he will ultimately call into question his most basic assumptions about everything and everyone in his world. Aided by Diana Cruz (Alice Braga), an unnervingly gifted psychic, Rourke simultaneously pursues and is pursued by a lethal specter (William Fichtner) - the one man he believes holds the key to finding the missing girl - only to discover more than he ever bargained for.

In cinemas May 26.

Who is in the Cast of the movie hypnotic?

• Ben Affleck - Danny Rourke
• Alice Braga - Diana Cruz
• JD Pardo - Nicks
• Hala Finley - Minnie
• Dayo Okeniyi - River
• Jeff Fahey – Carl
• With Jackie Earle Haley - Jeremiah
• And William Fichtner as Dellrayne

Director:

• Robert Rodriguez

This isn't the first film with hypnosis in and it wont be the last. I wrote about the Netflix created film called Hypnotic when the news came out a couple of years ago and you can read all about that here:

https://www.markpowlett.co.uk/myblog/read_197614/netflix-hypnotic-review-and-is-the-hypnosis-really-true.html

So is Hypnosis real? Well obviously the movie is fake when compared with real hypnosis and hypnotherapy

The best way to talk about what actually happens with hypnosis and how we are all really in control of our own minds is to demonstrate for you something that shows we can use the power of our mind to make physical changes.

So, take a look at this video and try it for yourself.. can I hypnotise you in 30 seconds?

 

Is the Hypnosis in Hypnotic realistic?

The film Hypnotic is not entirely realistic about hypnosis. Like most films the truth would be a little boring so they do take liberties with the facts for entertainment purposes.

While hypnosis is a real phenomenon that can be used for therapeutic purposes, it is not as powerful as it is portrayed in the film. For example, in the film, the hypnotist is able to control the protagonist's thoughts and actions, even when she is not in a trance. This is not possible in real life. Hypnosis can be used to suggest things to people, but they are still in control of their own thoughts and actions. You are always in control and no one can make you do something that you would not do anyway.

When you see people on stage in stage hypnosis, rest assured that they are doing things they want to do.

Additionally, the film portrays hypnosis as a dangerous and mind-controlling force. This is not the case. Hypnosis is a safe and effective tool that can be used to help people with a variety of problems. It is important to remember that hypnosis is not a magic bullet, and it is not a substitute for professional medical care.

Overall, the film Hypnotic is an entertaining thriller, but it is not an accurate portrayal of hypnosis.  

Who helped advise on the film? Were there hypnotists involved in making the story?

According to an article in The Hollywood Reporter, the film Hypnotic had a number of consultants on board to help with the accuracy of the hypnosis scenes, including:

• Dr. David Spiegel, a psychiatrist and professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Stanford University
• Dr. Steven Sultanoff, a clinical psychologist and professor of psychology at the University of South Florida
• Dr. Richard Bandler, a co-founder of neurolinguistic programming

These consultants helped the filmmakers to understand the science of hypnosis and to create scenes that were both realistic and suspenseful. Of course there is always the caveat that any film about hypnosis will take liberties with the truth, but of course this movie is all about entertainment so if we take it with a pinch of salt we can just enjoy the ride.

Review of Hypnotic. Is the hypnosis real or based on fact?

Don't believe everything you see or hear in Hypnotic, it’s a mind-bending thriller with more twists than Minnie's tightly braided ponytail.

Who is Minnie in Hypnotic?

Minnie is the young girl who goes missing in the opening scene of the film, when her father, police detective Daniel Rourke (played by Ben Affleck), looks away for a second. But is she really missing? It's possible that Minnie doesn't even exist. The police caught the man who abducted her, but Minnie's body was never found, which suggests that this wasn't a typical kidnapping.

Rourke is a police detective who spends the rest of the film obsessed with finding his missing daughter, Minnie, which of course you would expect! However, he is so focused on his case that he doesn't even notice when a bank robber with the power to bend people's minds hypnotizes him. The next thing he knows, he is on the run from the very same psychic. The twists and turns keep on coming.

Keeping up with the psychic is like trying to run on a treadmill that is constantly changing speed. Just when you think you have a handle on things, the psychic changes the rules. This is a mind-bending thriller that will keep you guessing until the very end.

Affleck gives a solid performance as Rourke. He brings the right amount of intensity and desperation to the role. The supporting cast is also good, especially Alice Braga as the psychic.

Hypnotic is a well-made thriller with a few twists and turns. It is not a perfect film, but it is an entertaining ride. Hypnotic is a film that will keep you guessing until the very end. It's a must-see for fans of psychological thrillers.

Nods to Alfred Hitchcock – the master of the thriller

The title of the film, Hypnotic, is a hat tip to Alfred Hitchcock, and the film's MacGuffin (that is, the thing everyone wants, while audiences amuse themselves with its pursuit) is an all-powerful hypnotic called "Domino." The goal is first to find the puzzle pieces and then to assemble them into something resembling a coherent picture.

While that plot engine is spinning overtime, director Robert Rodriguez returns to the matter of Minnie, whom Rourke never forgot about, and whose fate brings everything else into focus for a climactic surprise — namely, that for all the pyrotechnics and rug pulls, "Hypnotic" has mesmerized us into caring about these characters.

Robert Rodriguez knows better than practically any filmmaker out there that movies are a form of hypnosis. We lose ourselves in the story, the images and the sounds. It's all sleight of hand, designed to make us care about a story and characters that don't exist, so why not embrace that spirit in the execution?  

Overall, "Hypnotic" is a well-made thriller with a few twists and turns. It is not a perfect film, but it is an entertaining ride. If you are a fan of psychological thrillers, then you will probably enjoy this film.