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The Butterfly Effect
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The Butterfly Effect (2004) More at IMDbPro »

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Overview

User Rating:
7.8/10   93,400 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 2% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Writers (WGA):
J. Mackye Gruber (written by) &
Eric Bress (written by)
Contact:
View company contact information for The Butterfly Effect on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
23 January 2004 (USA) more
Tagline:
Change one thing, Change everything. more
Plot:
A young man blocks out harmful memories of significant events of his life. As he grows up, he finds a way to remember these lost memories and a supernatural way to alter his life. full summary | full synopsis
Awards:
1 win & 3 nominations more
User Comments:
a real surprise more (998 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Additional Details

MPAA:
Rated R for violence, sexual content, language and brief drug use. (also director's cut)
Runtime:
113 min | 120 min (director's cut)
Country:
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Company:

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
The scene where Evan has no arms was achieved by using two shots: one with an empty bed, and one with Ashton Kutcher lying in the bed with green gloves on his hands (which were erased later). Both shots had identical camera movements. For most films, this would be achieved by using machine-controlled cameras, which can replicate the exact same movement for multiple takes. However, since this film was fairly low-budget, the filmmakers were not able to afford this kind of equipment and the two identical shots were achieved by manually moving the camera while using a stopwatch for reference. Any small changes in the two shots were fixed digitally in post-production. more
Goofs:
Errors made by characters (possibly deliberate errors by the filmmakers): When Evan goes to burn his journals with his buddy in the large metal can, he pours the gasoline into the can and then sets down the gasoline right smack next to the can and proceeds to light the match and watch it go up in flames. This clearly is a very dangerous move that could incite an explosion. more
Quotes:
[first lines]
[reading aloud as he writes a note]
Evan: If anyone finds this, it means my plan didn't work and I'm already dead. But if I can somehow go back to the beginning of all of this, I might be able to save her.
more
Movie Connections:
References Star Trek: Generations (1994) more
Soundtrack:
Heroin Hate more

FAQ

Any recommendations for other movies that involve time travel?
Is "The Butterfly Effect" based on a book?
Is there an alternate ending to the movie?
more
112 out of 174 people found the following comment useful.
a real surprise, 9 January 2005
8/10
Author: Jay Harris (sirbossman6969@yahoo.com) from United States

I saw this intriguing film last night & was quite amaze at how much I enjoyed it.

The lead actor Ashton Kutcher, has made a name or himself on a Television show & a few films in comedic roles.

In THE BUTTERFLY EFFECT, he gives a superb dramatic turn, I can foresee a big future for this young actor. Very few actors have excelled in both comedies & dramas. To name only 2, GLENN FORD & JACK LEMMON.

The female lead is played by Amy Smart, this is a multi part performance & she too is excellent. I have heard her name but cant place her in any film, Mark my word,We will see much more of her,

The rest of the cast are actors I did not recognize excerpt fort Eric Stolz, who plays Amy's father, The all are excellent.

The entire production is first rate all the way through.

This is a very complicated story of imagination, some real events & pure fantasy.

The last film of this type that impressed me this much was DONNIE DARKO. In fact both films would make a fantastic double bill,BUT it would be hard to sleep the night you saw both.

Like Donnie Darko, this is psychedelic fantasy, science fiction,horror story. This type film is rare & very hard to succeed.

The Butterfly Effect succeeds on all counts.

rating ***1/2 /4 points 90/100 IMDb 8

Was the above comment useful to you?
more (998 total)

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for The Butterfly Effect (2004)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
All he had to do politicsof666
Does Director's Cut ending really make things right for everyone....... Mush_In_Shepherds_Bush
Ashtons arms blowing off? trigun_78
What's the purpose of the note Evan writes at the beginning/end? aldo06
Ashton going to jail trigun_78
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