loading loading...

The Butterfly Effect Reviews

2004 DVD Certificate 15.gif
  • Rated:
  • 70
  • from 57,201 members

Playing God has its consequences, which is the theme of the tricky time-travel shockfest THE BUTTERFLY EFFECT. J. Mackye Gruber and Eric Bress, who share writing and directing credits, make a splash with a gripping script that never fails to throw twists and loops into the plot. Both thematically and visually, the film is .. Read more

Starring Ashton Kutcher, Melora Walters, Amy Smart, Elden Henson
Director Eric Bress, J. Mackye Gruber, John R. Leonetti
Genres Sci-Fi/Fantasy

Buy From: £3.93

loading loading...

  • Critics' reviews (5) of The Butterfly Effect

    View all
  • 3 stars out of 5

    Just Married and Dude, Where's My Car? goofball Ashton Kutcher takes on a more serious role in this ambitious supernatural thriller. Written and directed by Final Destination 2 scribes J Mackye Gruber and Eric Bress, it's based on the idea of chaos theory, which speculates that the smallest of events can have the hugest of consequences. In a plot that feels lifted from The Twilight Zone, Kutcher plays a troubled college student who discovers he has the ability to go back in time and re-write the past. Touching on provocative themes such as child abuse, disability and terminal illness, Gruber and Bress have created a powerful and disturbing tale. Despite being spoilt by a rushed and overly simplistic conclusion, it's surprisingly dark and adult for a Hollywood project. In contrast to his joker reputation, Kutcher delivers a strong and believable performance, though his co-stars, with the exception of a stomach-churningly good Eric Stoltz, are largely unremarkable.

    • Radio Times
  • Structured a little like one of those Russian dolls, with smaller dolls nested in one another, this needlessly complex thriller reveals a succession of its protagonist's differing memories until finally revealing that it is empty inside.

    • Halliwell's Film Guide
  • "...An absorbing fantasy thriller with a gripping premise...Smart script and great directing. Smart thriller with a highly gripping story..."

    • Sunday Mirror
  • Most helpful members' reviews (3) of The Butterfly Effect

    View all
  • 136 out of 146 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 5 stars

    Ignore the ridiculously poor reception this film received by critics - this film rocks!

    I urge you not to read the above plot of the film - I went to the cinema knowing nothing about the plot, and I'm sure this is the best way to see it.

    It is an amazing, well-structured, original take on time travel, with a coherent and interesting plot with very dark overtones.

    The only reason this film got such poor reviews on its release was due to its leading actor (I can't remember his name, that 'Dude Wheres My Car' guy) which critics love to hate. I'd never heard of him, but think he did a just fine job in the leading role! Its such a shame that this was generally over-looked at the cinema and such an original film was not rewarded.

    I urge you to see this film - you must see it! One of the best time travel films of all time!

      • Ender from Wales
  • 49 out of 55 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 4 stars

    A haunting film

    I went to see this film at the cinema, and came away feeling that Id watched a really good film, very thought provoking, but not a masterpiece.

    However, ever since this film has gradually haunted me. When things happen, I quite often find myself referring to images and ideas brought up in the film, and question how my actions could have made a real difference to consequences, or about whether my life is totally fated.

    I'm not sure whether everyone will like this film or feel the same way I did, but I personally really enjoyed it, and would recommend it for a really unusual film, with a thought provoking story-line.

    Don’t be put of by Kutcher either, I'm not a big fan of his, but actually found him really good in this film. Even if you're not blown away by this film when you first watch it, you may discover, like me, you find yourself being rather haunted by its message.

      • kelster from DEVON
  • 37 out of 40 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 5 stars

    i'm with the other guy

    I?ve got to agree with the other guy reviewing this movie. Personally I can?t stand Ashton Kutcher, but if you like any sort of Time Travel movie this is a Must See film?The acting, especially from the child actors is amazing, this film is intelligent, well constructed and in some places genuinely disturbing.

    Give it a try..

      • legzakimbo from Newport, Wales
  • Most recent members' reviews (2) of The Butterfly Effect

    View all
  • 2 out of 2 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 5 stars

    Excellent

    This film was brilliant, original, and i we found ourselves really gripped by the original story line, this is not one to be missed

      • A customer from midlands
  • 2 out of 2 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 4 stars

    Not your average.....

    I was really surprised by this film - with Ashton Kutcher in it I thought it would be your standard Hollywood stuff - but not at all. In fact it's still got me thinking!

    It's got the same kind of feel as Sixth Sense and Unbreakable, but slightly quirkier and with a surprise ending (to me anyway - you might see it coming but I didn't).

    I have to say I'm not a fan of child actors normally, but these kids were very good, and I had no idea Ashton Kutcher could play this kind of part.

    All in all I was really impressed - in fact I might even go & buy it!

    If you do rent it the alternate endings are quite interesting to watch.

      • A customer from Bedford
  • 136 out of 146 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 5 stars

    Ignore the ridiculously poor reception this film received by critics - this film rocks!

    I urge you not to read the above plot of the film - I went to the cinema knowing nothing about the plot, and I'm sure this is the best way to see it.

    It is an amazing, well-structured, original take on time travel, with a coherent and interesting plot with very dark overtones.

    The only reason this film got such poor reviews on its release was due to its leading actor (I can't remember his name, that 'Dude Wheres My Car' guy) which critics love to hate. I'd never heard of him, but think he did a just fine job in the leading role! Its such a shame that this was generally over-looked at the cinema and such an original film was not rewarded.

    I urge you to see this film - you must see it! One of the best time travel films of all time!

      • Ender from Wales
  • 49 out of 55 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 4 stars

    A haunting film

    I went to see this film at the cinema, and came away feeling that Id watched a really good film, very thought provoking, but not a masterpiece.

    However, ever since this film has gradually haunted me. When things happen, I quite often find myself referring to images and ideas brought up in the film, and question how my actions could have made a real difference to consequences, or about whether my life is totally fated.

    I'm not sure whether everyone will like this film or feel the same way I did, but I personally really enjoyed it, and would recommend it for a really unusual film, with a thought provoking story-line.

    Don’t be put of by Kutcher either, I'm not a big fan of his, but actually found him really good in this film. Even if you're not blown away by this film when you first watch it, you may discover, like me, you find yourself being rather haunted by its message.

      • kelster from DEVON
  • 37 out of 40 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 5 stars

    i'm with the other guy

    I?ve got to agree with the other guy reviewing this movie. Personally I can?t stand Ashton Kutcher, but if you like any sort of Time Travel movie this is a Must See film?The acting, especially from the child actors is amazing, this film is intelligent, well constructed and in some places genuinely disturbing.

    Give it a try..

      • legzakimbo from Newport, Wales
  • 31 out of 31 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 4 stars

    Wow

    Thoroughly impressesive!

    I'm not giving any of the plot away - as I don't think that's fair.

    I didn't have high hopes for this movie to begin with - but it sucked me straight in and had me embarassingly shouting at the screen.

    Story is well executed,

    Dialogue is excellent

    Acting is strong - especially from the younger cast.

    Direction, pace and editing - fantastic.

    Watch it. And if you liked it - try a film called Frequency.

      • Catchag from Whyteleafe
  • 18 out of 19 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 5 stars

    Shooooooossssssssshhhhhhhh

    Don't let anyone tell you anything about this film. JUST GET IT OUT, WATCH IT AND YOU'LL LOVE IT!!!

      • A customer from Glasgow, Scotland
  • 17 out of 20 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 5 stars

    Hugely mind stunning movie

    Was recommended by a friend, did not know what to expect.

    Wallop! What a film! If you are into mind bending, trip from reality, but humanized films this one is for you.

    There where some under-the-skin issues played upon in the film and times felt just a bit too raw, but that was what the film is all about, it is all just too much.

    I like the pace of the film; it brought you in smoothly before jostling you around and then to suck the air from your lungs in the film's final moments.

    Felt almost like an element of a murder mystery where I felt I was desperately trying to workout what has happen, how, why and who did what to who. I really enjoyed the twists.

    I was so please to learn that this is the directory edit and not the sweet dreamy American style ending that is going around.

    Rent it now!

      • HUGEsteve from Kent
  • 15 out of 17 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 3 stars

    Intriguing time travel thriller

    I was not expecting too much from this film but I was pleasantly surprised. It is unusual to find a film about time travel that has something different to say. The film is really a supernatural thriller but highly original and unpredictable, full of complex, intricate plot twists. Interwoven into the story are taboo subjects (incest and child molestation) which give the film a gritty realism. Ashton Kutcher, better known for his comedic roles, carries off the lead role effectively.

    An intelligent, stylish film well worth viewing.

      • eaglet from Surrey
  • 12 out of 18 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 4 stars [Highly rated reviewer]

    Whoops! I've done it again.

    I must confess that I was intrigued when the Tesco computer recommended this film to me.

    I am pleased to admit that I enjoyed this Sci-Fi, Dark Romance, Supernatural, Fantasy written and directed by the team of Eric Bress and J. Mackye Gruber as their transition from the world of TV into the silver screen.

    Whilst it stars Ashton Kutcher, who is also credited as a Producer, the rest of the cast, who all have a good TV pedigree, are excellent. The younger versions of the core characters are particularly good as they not only resemble their parallel selves, but they also mimic their mannerisms so naturally.

    To echo some other reviewers, it is not necessary to understand or study the film beforehand, just sit down and enjoy the ride. The time-transition effects are particularly original and artistic.

    This film was certainly worth the money and although there are some continuity errors (hence 4 stars) these really only become apparent the second and third time around.

    Yes, I watched it three times - very good value from Tesco.

      • Charles Brickley from Andover, Hampshire England
  • 16 out of 29 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 1 star

    Depressing nightmare of a film

    The sad thing is, a lot of people told me that this was a real great film that explored the idea of chaos theory: the idea that if you were to go back in time and change THE SMALLEST OF THINGS, it would change the future dramatically.

    However, the film deals with a great concept in a sloppy, depressing, clumsy way. When Ashton Kutcher's character travels back in time, nothing 'delicate' is changed. 'Far from it, he goes back to muck everything up as much as possible. This film could have been handled in a far more sophisticated manner, instead it dwelled on sensational gore and swearing. Masterpiece? No way. In my opinion this movie is like Donnie Darko but rubbish.

      • crobin from Kent
  • 9 out of 9 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 4 stars

    thought provoking and interesting...

    this is a great film for those who like a bit of mystery/ supernatural. to call some of the elements 'time travel' is lazy and wrong. if the main character were travelling in time, he would arrive back in the earlier situations as he is now. he doesn't. he arrives back in a previous reality as he was then i.e. a child etc. So this is more of a supernatural film, challenging, interesting and quite satisfying. Yes, some elements are slightly inconsistent, but so are many films. If you are a fed on a diet of one dimensional action films or soap operas with linear story lines , it might seem hard to follow, but it isn't. There are elements of repetition, which are inevitable given the nature of the story. Run Lola Run does the same continuosly and is an excellent film.

    The character realises he can change the present by 're-running' times in the past , and making different choices. But each time he does this, the result is not quite what he expects/wants. Certainly some messages there on regret and longing.

    This is an excellent film, and well worth watching if you like to be drawn into something that does require some thought. and while you are at it , why not try the \Similarly underrated Mothman Prophecies?

      • A customer from cw cheltenham
  • Critics' reviews (5)

  • 3 stars out of 5

    Just Married and Dude, Where's My Car? goofball Ashton Kutcher takes on a more serious role in this ambitious supernatural thriller. Written and directed by Final Destination 2 scribes J Mackye Gruber and Eric Bress, it's based on the idea of chaos theory, which speculates that the smallest of events can have the hugest of consequences. In a plot that feels lifted from The Twilight Zone, Kutcher plays a troubled college student who discovers he has the ability to go back in time and re-write the past. Touching on provocative themes such as child abuse, disability and terminal illness, Gruber and Bress have created a powerful and disturbing tale. Despite being spoilt by a rushed and overly simplistic conclusion, it's surprisingly dark and adult for a Hollywood project. In contrast to his joker reputation, Kutcher delivers a strong and believable performance, though his co-stars, with the exception of a stomach-churningly good Eric Stoltz, are largely unremarkable.

    • Radio Times
  • Structured a little like one of those Russian dolls, with smaller dolls nested in one another, this needlessly complex thriller reveals a succession of its protagonist's differing memories until finally revealing that it is empty inside.

    • Halliwell's Film Guide
  • "...An absorbing fantasy thriller with a gripping premise...Smart script and great directing. Smart thriller with a highly gripping story..."

    • Sunday Mirror
  • Fernando Colomo, the Spanish producer/director best known for Skyline, based on his experiences in New York, transfers... read more on Time Out

    • Time Out
  • "...Smart supernatural story...grips like a wild python. Stark suspense and slick chills and thrills..."

    • Daily Star

Buy from the LOVEFiLM shop


    • Butterfly Effect Trilogy - BLU-RAY Version
    • Blu-Ray: £16.93
      Free Delivery
    • RRP £24.99 (you save: 32%)
    • The Butterfly Effect: A young man struggling to access sublimated childhood memories finds a technique that allows him to travel back to the past. Occupying his childhood body, he is able to change ...

    • The Butterfly Effect
    • DVD: £3.93
      Free Delivery
    • RRP £9.79 (you save: 60%)
    • Playing God has its consequences, which is the theme of the tricky time-travel shockfest THE BUTTERFLY EFFECT. J. Mackye Gruber and Eric Bress, who share writing and directing credits, make a splash ...

Rating breakdown

57,201 Member ratings
  • 100
7,361
  • 90
6,628
  • 80
11,568
  • 70
9,918
  • 60
8,998
  • 50
5,286
  • 40
3,139
  • 30
2,016
  • 20
1,524
  • 10
763

Celebrity collection

Noel Clarke (4)
Average rating: 3.86   77.2% from 48 members

Related user collection