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The Butterfly Effect (2004)

R | | Sci-Fi, Thriller | 23 January 2004 (USA)
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Evan Treborn suffers blackouts during 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 by reading his journal.

Directors:

,

Writers:

,

Stars:

, , | See full cast & crew »
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1 win & 8 nominations. See more awards »

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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
... Evan
... Andrea
... Kayleigh
... Lenny
... Tommy
... Evan at 13
... Kayleigh at 13 (as Irene Gorovaia)
... Lenny at 13
... Tommy at 13
... Evan at 7
Sarah Widdows ... Kayleigh at 7
Jake Kaese ... Lenny at 7
... Tommy at 7
... Mr. Miller
... Jason
See full cast »
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Storyline

Evan Treborn grows up in a small town with his single, working mother and his friends. He suffers from memory blackouts where he suddenly finds himself somewhere else, confused. Evan's friends and mother hardly believe him, thinking he makes it up just to get out of trouble. As Evan grows up he has fewer of these blackouts until he seems to have recovered. Since the age of seven he has written a diary of his blackout moments so he can remember what happens. One day at college he starts to read one of his old diaries, and suddenly a flashback hits him like a brick! Written by Anonymous

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

time travel | surprise ending | butterfly effect | child pornography | blackout | See All (264) »

Taglines:

Verändere die Zukunft, durch die Vergangenheit (Change the future, through the past.) See more »

Genres:

Sci-Fi | Thriller

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for violence, sexual content, language and brief drug use | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

 »
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Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook

Country:

|

Language:

Release Date:

23 January 2004 (USA)  »

Also Known As:

El efecto mariposa  »

Filming Locations:

 »
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Box Office

Budget:

$13,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$17,065,227, 25 January 2004, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$57,938,693

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$38,122,165
See more on IMDbPro »

Company Credits

Production Co:

, ,  »
Show more on  »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

| (director's cut)

Sound Mix:

| |

Color:

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1
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Did You Know?

Trivia

The Hilltop Café, Kayleigh (Amy Smart)'s workplace, was also used in Bates Motel (2013). In episode 2.2, Bates Motel: Shadow of a Doubt (2014), Dylan (Max Thieriot) & Bradley (Nicola Peltz) wait for the bus there. See more »

Goofs

When Evan is telling Carlos to watch for scars and marks he does a hand gesture that shows the mark already on his hand See 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.
See more »

Crazy Credits

The title, "The Butterfly Effect," is superimposed over a depiction of a butterfly beating its wings, which is itself superimposed upon an X-ray profile of a human brain. See more »

Connections

References GoldenEye (1995) See more »

Soundtracks

Dark Entries
Written by Daniel Ash, Kevin Haskins, David J (as David Jay), Peter Murphy
Performed by Bauhaus
Courtesy of 4AD/Beggars Group
See more »

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: When Evan went back into his past, why did he always return as an adult instead of living his life forward from the time of the flashback?
Q: What is the "Butterfly Effect"?
Q: Is there an alternate ending to the movie?
See more »

User Reviews

 
One good turn....
7 February 2005 | by – See all my reviews

This movie received WAY too many bad reviews. The only reason was to PUNK Ashton Kutcher. Say what you will, Kutcher did a fair to midland acting job here. There have been a lot worse performances on film in much better reviewed movies. I tell you, you will NOT be disappointed watching the Director's cut Alternate ending. It is a story of how one action causes a series of reactions...no matter the intentions, be careful what you wish for. This film's biggest mistake was promoting it in the horror genre. It is NOT! It is a nice dark fantasy film, nothing more, nothing less. There are 2 different endings, with 2 different meanings for me. I preferred the Alternate ending in lieu of the Theatrical ending. A great "popcorn" movie. Don't believe the (bad)Hype!
173 of 251 people found this review helpful.  Was this review helpful to you? | Report this
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