By Chris Snellgrove | Published
Thanks to the Marvel films, everyone and their brother now knows the theory of the multiverse. However, these films are generally optimistic, presenting the idea of different dimensions as an easy way to see our favorite heroes and villains in strange new costumes. However, a bizarre science fiction thriller from more than two decades ago showed us the much darker side of this idea, showing in grim detail just how much attempts to change the past can ruin our lives. This film is The butterfly effectand it’s now streaming on Netflix for those who want to take their own walk through the dark side of science fiction.
The representation of the butterfly effect
The butterfly effect It centers on a young man whose childhood memories are basically Swiss cheese due to a series of fainting spells and subsequent memory loss. Eventually, his present self realizes that he can travel into his former body during these fainting spells, and he immediately begins making changes to the past to improve his life. Unfortunately, he makes things worse and worse, and it quickly becomes clear that his attempts to tug at the fabric of reality could destroy the lives of him and his friends in ever more horrific ways.
The cast of The butterfly effect helps the film sell its wild premise, including Ashton Kutcher as the young man who keeps jumping back into his own past, effectively ruining his future. The film also stars Elden Henson Mighty ducks Veteran who MCU fans will recognize as Foggy Nelson, Daredevil’s son-in-law (and occasional partner in crime). Rounding out the bigger name cast are Eric Stoltz (the man who was almost Marty McFly) and Ethan Suplee (whose Mallrats This role cemented him as the man who couldn’t see the hidden 3D sailboat.
Surprising reactions
Compared to his budget The butterfly effect was incredibly profitable. On a budget of just $13 million, this film grossed an impressive $96.8 million. That was enough to justify two direct-to-video sequels, but they have almost nothing to do with the first film and (if we’re being completely honest) are generally not worth watching.
Interesting, The butterfly effect is one of those films that has really divided critics and audiences: on Rotten Tomatoes, for example, the film has a critical rating of 34 percent, with critics generally complaining that the film is overly written and based on scenes that are as tasteless as they are shocking. However, according to Popcornmeter, viewers (over a quarter of a million people!) rated this film with a much healthier 81 percent.
As you probably guessed, I am one of the avid fans who enjoyed it The butterfly effect much more than critics did. One of the reasons I’m happy is Ashton Kutcher’s performance as the lead. Admittedly, the star has come under fire in recent years for his ties to disgraced celebrities like Danny Masterson and Diddy. But if you look beyond his more troubling professional relationships, you’ll find that he effectively sells the conflicting emotions of a character haunted by his past and willing to take any risk for the future of both himself and his friends to save.
Additionally, The butterfly effect My inner Star Trek fan (the one that’s never far from the surface) really appeals to me because of its heady messages about the dangers of changing history. The truth is that most people would change countless things about their own schedules if given half the chance, from trying to kill the little Hitler child to trying to keep their parents together. Changing the past is a common fantasy among those who believe the present could be better, and Kutcher’s film is a powerful reminder that these good intentions could still ruin the lives of countless people in ways we could never foresee.
The director’s cut
The only downside to watching The butterfly effect on Netflix is that you will see the theatrical version. It’s still a great film, but the director’s cut gets full marks for giving us as dark an ending as possible. And it’s an ending that I still think about regularly 20 years after I saw it, which is a testament to the film’s creativity and innovative storytelling.
Will you rave? The butterfly effect As much as I do, or do you want to change your own past so you never saw this movie? You won’t know until you Stream it on Netflix. Afterwards, you may never be able to watch your favorite time travel films the same way again.