Synchronic is the return to the festival for auteurs Aaron Moorhead and Justin Benson with their most complete film yet as they strike to the core of what science-fiction is truly all about.
New Orleans paramedics and friends Steve (Anthony Mackie) and Dennis (Jamie Dornan) arrive on the scene for what seems like a typical overdose, they end up stumbling upon something truly bizarre. A series of grisly, drug-related deaths and the one commonality is a synthetic drug known as Synchronic, which does a lot more than just get you high and sets Steve on a journey he never expected.
This is smart science-fiction on an emotional level that is rarely seen. It’s not something looking to impress us with flashy visuals and weird ideas but rather Synchronic gets to the heart of what makes the genre truly memorable; allowing for reflection on the human condition.
Benson & Moorhead have never expressed their voices clearer then they have here on this one. Impressively shot and with character development for days, it’s a film that gets a little weird but isn’t afraid to make sure that it’s all got purpose as both Mackie and Dornan anchor the emotional core message of the film.
Synchronic is the epitome of blended genre film making because it makes sure to let every trick it has in its bag shine without taking away from what’s the most important thing of all in any film out there, the characters it wants to get us invested with.
David Voigt is a Toronto based writer with a problem and a passion for the moving image and all things cinema. Having moved from production to the critical side of the aisle for well over 15 years now at outlets like Examiner.com, Criticize This, Dork Shelf (Now That Shelf), and to.Night Newspaper.
He’s been all across the continent; serving on the FIPRESCI Jury at the Festival Du Nouveau Cinema in Montreal, covering festivals out side of Toronto like Calgary Underground Film Festival, CUFF Docs, Slamdance, Fantasia, SXSW, DOC NYC, Santa Barbara Film Festival, New York Asian Film Festival and many others
However, In the uncertain world of modern film journalism, David also knew that he needed to have a hand in writing and cementing his own contributions on the global film scene.
Having eclipsed the 10 year anniversary of his own outlet, In The Seats, where he’s been striving to support film (and TV) from all walks of life and his podcast “In The Seats With…” where after 5 & ½ years and over 750 episodes he’s talked with a wide variety of filmmakers, actors, behind the scenes artisans and so much more on the art of storytelling for the screen, which is spawning the launch of a new show in the Spring of 2026. “ITS: Soundtracks” will focus on the use of soundtrack and score in film which he believes is a combination that is the cinematic equivalent of Peanut Butter and Chocolate.
All this as well as hosting and moderating a variety of big screen events around the city, covering film in all its forms is just a way of life for him.
