130 reviews
Alicia (Juno Temple) visits her cousin Sara (Emily Browning) and her boyfriend Agustín in Chile. It's her first time outside of America. They with Agustin's sister Bárbara (Catalina Sandino Moreno) and his friend Brink (Michael Cera) go on a road trip. Sara had to go back to school before they arrive at the remote vacation house.
Michael Cera is an annoying prick and it's infuriating to watch him. He almost makes this unwatchable all by himself. He's an annoying jerk and he's so whiny about it. Of course, he's written that way and I can't complain about his acting. It does make it hard to stay with the movie. It does get to an interesting place as Alicia slowly breaks down. Agustin is also a bit annoying with the sleeping pills but he's nothing compared to Brink. If one can live with the annoyance, this is an ok movie.
Michael Cera is an annoying prick and it's infuriating to watch him. He almost makes this unwatchable all by himself. He's an annoying jerk and he's so whiny about it. Of course, he's written that way and I can't complain about his acting. It does make it hard to stay with the movie. It does get to an interesting place as Alicia slowly breaks down. Agustin is also a bit annoying with the sleeping pills but he's nothing compared to Brink. If one can live with the annoyance, this is an ok movie.
- SnoopyStyle
- Nov 4, 2020
- Permalink
Long Story Short: The Story evolves around Alicia (Juno Temple) – an emotionally fragile young woman, who visits her cousin Sarah (Emily Browning) in Chile. Together with Sarah's boyfriend Agustín (Agustín Silva), Agustín's sister Barbara (Catalina Sandina Moreno), and their very strange friend Brink (Michael Cera) they travel to the countryside. But things aren't as pleasant as they are supposed to be, and especially Brink turns out to be very insensitive and doesn't show any sympathy for Alicia retentiveness. What was meant to be a relaxing vacation for Alicia soon turns into a horrifying experience.
Review: Magic Magic is often advertised as a horror movie, however, I would say it's more of a psychological thriller with a very dark and intense undertone. Juno Temple is giving a master performance, her acting is on point and very disturbing. Michael Cera plays this psycho, who shows not only anti-social but also sadistic tendencies, and everyone was wondering if he would be able to portray a character like Brink. I think he did great, but at the same time, he annoyed the living hell out of me. The camera-work is stunning, and the landscape shots are beautiful. The movie starts very strong and interesting, but leaves you clueless not only until the end, but even past that. There is absolutely no conclusion, the audience is completely left in the dark, and even though the tension and suspense rises it turns out to be a thick cloud of confusion. It seems like someone came up with a good idea but ran out of time to write a satisfying ending. So let's just end it somehow, because at the end of the day indie movies are supposed to keep you guessing and that's what makes them artistic. Not true. Furthermore, character development is hardly existing, and even if Juno Temple convinced with her performance, I couldn't relate to her character because I didn't know enough about her. Magic Magic is not a bad movie but towards the end there are just too many questions unanswered, which might be very unsatisfying.
Review: Magic Magic is often advertised as a horror movie, however, I would say it's more of a psychological thriller with a very dark and intense undertone. Juno Temple is giving a master performance, her acting is on point and very disturbing. Michael Cera plays this psycho, who shows not only anti-social but also sadistic tendencies, and everyone was wondering if he would be able to portray a character like Brink. I think he did great, but at the same time, he annoyed the living hell out of me. The camera-work is stunning, and the landscape shots are beautiful. The movie starts very strong and interesting, but leaves you clueless not only until the end, but even past that. There is absolutely no conclusion, the audience is completely left in the dark, and even though the tension and suspense rises it turns out to be a thick cloud of confusion. It seems like someone came up with a good idea but ran out of time to write a satisfying ending. So let's just end it somehow, because at the end of the day indie movies are supposed to keep you guessing and that's what makes them artistic. Not true. Furthermore, character development is hardly existing, and even if Juno Temple convinced with her performance, I couldn't relate to her character because I didn't know enough about her. Magic Magic is not a bad movie but towards the end there are just too many questions unanswered, which might be very unsatisfying.
- simon-d-cesair
- Aug 11, 2013
- Permalink
- nogodnomasters
- Apr 16, 2018
- Permalink
I still have no idea what this film was about. And I continued watching so I could at least see the ending for the film to just end with no closure... 2 hours of my life I can't get back.
- angharadcdavies
- Aug 18, 2020
- Permalink
- foreversmom
- Aug 8, 2013
- Permalink
My disappointment from this film is exacerbated by the way the DVD is marketed, with the box cover plastered with a quote from a review that proclaims: "stomach-churning psychological horror . . . a great thrill ride". Perhaps that reviewer is a friend of somebody connected to this film because I found there to be no horror elements, psychological or otherwise, nor any thrills. The characters are unpleasant and annoying, and so is their dialogue. John Cera's portrayal of "Brink" was somewhat diverting for about 5 minutes, after which I found the character to be insufferable. Difficult and unpleasant topics and characters can be presented in an entertaining way, in the hands of the right director and writer. But that's not the case here -- it's just difficult and unpleasant characters and topics in a manifestly non-entertaining, non-interesting film. There's decent camera-work, there's a story somewhere, but it simply is not cinematic. There are some wonderful shots of the southern Chilean landscape, but otherwise I feel like I just lost 97 minutes of my life.
- Red-Barracuda
- Jun 23, 2013
- Permalink
I am not sure why this movie is described as, "Ancient indigenous rites, disturbing animal behavior, and captivating hypnotic trances come together in an intense exploration into the darkest corners... when the games go too far, reality unravels with astonishing and deadly consequences." None of this is really true. This movie is about taking a group of reasonably talented actors and handing them a script with awful dialog and a complete lack of plot. Nothing is unique, nothing is surprising, all the "reveals" are really just daily trivia.
In the end, people travel to far away camp, some of them are jerks, one of them is going to go insane, nothing really happens and you will wish you had not wasted your time.
In the end, people travel to far away camp, some of them are jerks, one of them is going to go insane, nothing really happens and you will wish you had not wasted your time.
Juno Temple plays Alicia, a young American woman who has traveled to South America to share some adventures with her cousin, Sarah, played by Emily Browning. Sarah introduces Alicia to her boyfriend, Agustín, who is currently studying hypnotism, his sister, Barbara, and their mutual American friend, Brink, played by Michael Cera. Together the five of them begin to head for a remote island off the coast of Chile when Sarah is called to return to the city. Alicia then finds herself alone with her cousin's four friends, who speak more Spanish than English, in an unfamiliar land. As culture shock sets in, insomnia and paranoia take control as Brink desperately tries to seduce the emotionally unstable Alicia.
The chaos captured in the film is enough to induce a panic attack in some unsuspecting audience members. This is far from a fun film to watch, do not be fooled by Michael Cera's name. Cera does play the perfect creep though and is a surprisingly good antagonist, even if only in Alicia's perspective. Those looking for Michael Cera comedy in a horror flick are going to hate this. This is an indie psychological drama that will win over film festivals but the majority will despise it for being so obscure and frustrating to watch. No matter how good the film does get, the ending will leave you feeling a little cheated. But perhaps that is the point.
Magic Magic is a well-crafted nightmare in the shell of a story that could have been a romantic comedy adventure. There is so much that could be said to be wrong with the film and yet all the wrongs helped portray a mental breakdown better. It's a heart-breaking story that most people are never going to want to witness again, even if they liked the film.
The chaos captured in the film is enough to induce a panic attack in some unsuspecting audience members. This is far from a fun film to watch, do not be fooled by Michael Cera's name. Cera does play the perfect creep though and is a surprisingly good antagonist, even if only in Alicia's perspective. Those looking for Michael Cera comedy in a horror flick are going to hate this. This is an indie psychological drama that will win over film festivals but the majority will despise it for being so obscure and frustrating to watch. No matter how good the film does get, the ending will leave you feeling a little cheated. But perhaps that is the point.
Magic Magic is a well-crafted nightmare in the shell of a story that could have been a romantic comedy adventure. There is so much that could be said to be wrong with the film and yet all the wrongs helped portray a mental breakdown better. It's a heart-breaking story that most people are never going to want to witness again, even if they liked the film.
- themissingpatient
- Aug 8, 2013
- Permalink
The American Alicia (Juno Temple) travels to Chile to meet her cousin Sarah (Emily Browning) and they immediately travel to a remote island with Sarah's boyfriend Agustin (Agustin Silva), his sister Barbara (Catalina Sandino Moreno) and their friend Brink (Michael Cera). Out of the blue, Sarah returns to the city and Alicia is left alone with the trio of Chileans that speak most of the time in Spanish. Soon the unstable Alicia is unable to sleep and becomes paranoid; she uses lots of pills and gets in a journey with no return.
"Magic Magic" is a weird and boring movie about a tale of paranoia. There is no story; therefore the screenplay is only a development of the storyline (unstable young woman travels to Chile and becomes paranoid with tragic consequences). The result is a hateful movie with non- charismatic characters, no story, no nothing but waste of time. My vote is two.
Title (Brazil): "Viagem Sem Volta" ("Journey with no Return")
"Magic Magic" is a weird and boring movie about a tale of paranoia. There is no story; therefore the screenplay is only a development of the storyline (unstable young woman travels to Chile and becomes paranoid with tragic consequences). The result is a hateful movie with non- charismatic characters, no story, no nothing but waste of time. My vote is two.
Title (Brazil): "Viagem Sem Volta" ("Journey with no Return")
- claudio_carvalho
- Aug 8, 2013
- Permalink
Perhaps this movie only works if you've known someone with the kind of debilitating paranoia that Alicia (Juno Temple) suffers from. I don't know. All I can say is that I was glued to it from start to finish and I honestly feel that it was masterfully crafted and offers so much more than most people are giving it credit for.
I understand the backlash... it really is NOT a horror movie. But its not a showcase of intangible visual art-house dream-sequence garbage either, which is what I think people might imagine it to be when they read the synopsis. For me, it was never even the slightest bit boring.
If you want to see how mundane situations can be brilliantly transformed into nightmarish experiences for one character, while other characters awkwardly try to deal with it (and often provoke it), eventually watching this dynamic grow to high levels of darkness and intensity, well then this is the movie for you!
I wish more people could look a little deeper and appreciate the many layers and eccentricities of this movie! Like another reviewer mentioned, many of the scenes could be perceived as flat out hilarious. That is, if you can allow yourself to be simultaneously mortified and amused. This movie has the ability to provoke a wide array of CONTRASTING emotions. I've never seen anything quite like it.
It's not a movie for everyone. But if you read this review and still want to watch it, you'll probably think its pretty neat.
I understand the backlash... it really is NOT a horror movie. But its not a showcase of intangible visual art-house dream-sequence garbage either, which is what I think people might imagine it to be when they read the synopsis. For me, it was never even the slightest bit boring.
If you want to see how mundane situations can be brilliantly transformed into nightmarish experiences for one character, while other characters awkwardly try to deal with it (and often provoke it), eventually watching this dynamic grow to high levels of darkness and intensity, well then this is the movie for you!
I wish more people could look a little deeper and appreciate the many layers and eccentricities of this movie! Like another reviewer mentioned, many of the scenes could be perceived as flat out hilarious. That is, if you can allow yourself to be simultaneously mortified and amused. This movie has the ability to provoke a wide array of CONTRASTING emotions. I've never seen anything quite like it.
It's not a movie for everyone. But if you read this review and still want to watch it, you'll probably think its pretty neat.
- eternitycomplex
- Aug 22, 2013
- Permalink
"She's not a bad person, I know her, she just needs a doctor for her hand." Alicia (Temple) is a young woman travels to Chile to visit her cousin and her friends. While there the friends begin to make her feel uncomfortable and she wants nothing more then to leave. What starts off as a fun vacation for her soon starts to unravel and becomes something out of a nightmare, for everyone. I will admit that I was kind of looking forward to this mainly for the fact that it looked like Michael Cera was playing a creepy bad guy. Without ruining anything he's not a bad guy but this is a very different part for him. I have to say that Juno Temple was great in this and should get some type of award. As far as the movie, from the opening shot the movie made you feel a little uncomfortable and never really let up at all. The camera work and the acting really leaves you feeling unable to relax and because of that the movie reaches a level of creepiness I wasn't ready for. Watching Temple start to unravel is mesmerizing and when the end finally comes you are left stunned and not sure what to make of what you just saw. A movie that leaves you thinking and wondering to me is the sign of a good movie. Overall, a movie that really comes out of nowhere and makes you feel uncomfortable the whole time, which in this case is a good thing. I give it a B+.
- cosmo_tiger
- Jul 30, 2013
- Permalink
- nicola-j-peacock
- Mar 18, 2016
- Permalink
One star cause I cannot get any lower than that. This movie should be in the DRAMA section of IMDb so that guys like me can avoid it. I was like a thriller with some well known names so must be good.
How wrong I was. This is a complete drama and a bad one at that. Acting is OK but has too much Spanish for my liking. Even till the end I kept thinking something on the lines of horror or thriller would happen but nope nothing. I don't know who approved of the script cause if I read that, I would have gone to sleep in the middle.
But seriously the movie ends so abruptly that when the credits started rolling I was like WHATTT!! they cannot make a movie like that and my first thought was to immediately dig a hole and bury this DVD so to save others from watching it.
Bottom line: Huge disappointment. Really avoid it. There is nothing there to watch except for a very small amount of nudity from Juno Temple but even that is not worth watching this.
How wrong I was. This is a complete drama and a bad one at that. Acting is OK but has too much Spanish for my liking. Even till the end I kept thinking something on the lines of horror or thriller would happen but nope nothing. I don't know who approved of the script cause if I read that, I would have gone to sleep in the middle.
But seriously the movie ends so abruptly that when the credits started rolling I was like WHATTT!! they cannot make a movie like that and my first thought was to immediately dig a hole and bury this DVD so to save others from watching it.
Bottom line: Huge disappointment. Really avoid it. There is nothing there to watch except for a very small amount of nudity from Juno Temple but even that is not worth watching this.
- xander9199
- Apr 10, 2014
- Permalink
- wvisser-leusden
- Aug 12, 2013
- Permalink
- A_Different_Drummer
- May 3, 2014
- Permalink
This movie is absolutely amazing and I don't understand all the negative reviews. Really? You didn't understand what this movie is about? Really? You were expecting a horror, fantastical movie?
Let me make it easy for you. This movie is about depression. Being at a strange place. Not feeling belonging to a place. This is like Lars von Trier's Melancholia. Except this is much better and less boring than Lars von Trier's movie.
I was planing on watching this movie in 2-3 sittings thinking it will be slow but this movie completely surprised me and I watched it from start to end. Juno Temple plays so well in this and I could completely understand her pain.
Let me make it easy for you. This movie is about depression. Being at a strange place. Not feeling belonging to a place. This is like Lars von Trier's Melancholia. Except this is much better and less boring than Lars von Trier's movie.
I was planing on watching this movie in 2-3 sittings thinking it will be slow but this movie completely surprised me and I watched it from start to end. Juno Temple plays so well in this and I could completely understand her pain.
I was so ready to give up on this weird, navel-gazing, unfunny, aimless awkward-off between Juno Temple and Michael Cera. Then...slowly, but surely, all these pointless awkward scenes started to mean something. They were trying to show you what the regular constant of these kids' lives in Chile was, before they introduced something strange. And just when I thought...alright, it's just another white girl losing it movie, it changes again. And it builds and it grows and it rewards you for staying with it over and over.
But I can't blame you if you hated it early on. As good as Juno Temple is and as knowingly hateable as Michael Cera's oddball character was, there's almost nothing to the first half of the movie. But it does change, and by the end I couldn't look away.
Not an amazing film, but much more than what I thought it was initially. It helped me understand how such good talent could be attracted to something like this.
But I also have to say, where it ends, might've just annoyed you all over again.
But I can't blame you if you hated it early on. As good as Juno Temple is and as knowingly hateable as Michael Cera's oddball character was, there's almost nothing to the first half of the movie. But it does change, and by the end I couldn't look away.
Not an amazing film, but much more than what I thought it was initially. It helped me understand how such good talent could be attracted to something like this.
But I also have to say, where it ends, might've just annoyed you all over again.
- MrOPositive
- Aug 13, 2013
- Permalink
- sleepydoeofficial
- Jan 8, 2014
- Permalink
I've never left a review on a movie before in my life but after sitting through that dirge for over 1.5 hours i thought id at least try and warn others from suffering the same waste of time and brain power as i just did.
I think i have said it all really besides, if you are expecting a horror movie, this ain't for you, if you are expecting a thriller then this also ain't for you, drama maybes? nope this ain't for you, i'm not really sure what id class this movie as besides contrived self indulgence nonsense and avoid it at all costs, the last 20 minutes was worse then the 1st 70 and that really is saying something.
avoid at all costs, it really is that bad.
I think i have said it all really besides, if you are expecting a horror movie, this ain't for you, if you are expecting a thriller then this also ain't for you, drama maybes? nope this ain't for you, i'm not really sure what id class this movie as besides contrived self indulgence nonsense and avoid it at all costs, the last 20 minutes was worse then the 1st 70 and that really is saying something.
avoid at all costs, it really is that bad.
- ownagesunny
- Dec 25, 2013
- Permalink