Chronicle (2012)

Three high school friends gain superpowers after making an incredible discovery underground. Soon they find their lives spinning out of control and their bond tested as they embrace their darker sides.

Director:

Josh Trank

Writers:

Max Landis (screenplay), Max Landis (story)

Stars:

Dane DeHaan, Alex Russell, Michael B. Jordan

2 wins & 7 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Dane DeHaan	...	Andrew Detmer
Alex Russell	...	Matt Garetty
Michael B. Jordan	...	Steve Montgomery
Michael Kelly	...	Richard Detmer
Ashley Hinshaw	...	Casey Letter
Bo Petersen	...	Karen Detmer
Anna Wood	...	Monica
Rudi Malcolm	...	Wayne
Luke Tyler	...	Sean
Crystal-Donna Roberts	...	Samantha (as Crystal Donna Roberts)
Adrian Collins	...	Costly
Grant Powell	...	Howard
Armand Aucamp	...	Austin
Nicole Bailey	...	Cala
Lynita Crofford	...	Casey's Mom

Storyline

The shy, lonely and outcast teenager Andrew Detmer is bullied and has no friends at high-school and lives with his abusive and alcoholic father Richard Detmer and his terminally ill mother Karen. Andrew buys a camera to film his everyday life. His cousin Matt Garetty drives him to school and invites Andrew to go to a party at night. Nearby they find a tunnel and suddenly acquire telekinetic abilities and Andrew becomes the most powerful. But he easily loses his temper and becomes dangerous while Matt tries to control him. When his mother needs a medicine and Andrew does not have enough money to buy it, his darker side overwhelms him and he becomes a menace.

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Plot Keywords:

troubled teen | found footage | levitation | video camera | supernatural power | 

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Taglines:

Not all heroes are super.

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Genres:

Drama | Sci-Fi | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for intense action and violence, thematic material, some language, sexual content and teen drinking

Did You Know?

Trivia

A cable cam rig was used for scenes when the character Andrew levitates his camera in the air.

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Goofs

When the guys are in the car heading back to the hole discussing radiation effects there's a shot over the dashboard showing the car being driven but the shifter is in Park.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Andrew Detmer: [as Richard tries to enter his room] What do you want?
Richard Detmer: Why is this door locked, Andrew?

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Crazy Credits

In the Director's Cut, after all the credits have ended, even after the traditional copyright disclaimer, is the credit: "Waitress ... Vanessa Lee".

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Alternate Versions

The 12A UK cinema release contained cuts to the scene where Andrew pulls the bully's teeth out and the climatic impaling of Andrew. The 15-rated DVD and Blu-ray releases are uncut.

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Connections

Referenced in The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon: Gwen Stefani/Dane DeHaan/Damien Chazelle/Maggie Rogers (2017)

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Soundtracks

Prelude Op.28 No.7
Written by Frédéric Chopin
Courtesy of FirstCom Music

User Reviews

A tremendous achievement in low-budget filmmaking.

The next in a long line of "found footage" flicks that have been flooding our cinemas over the last few years, Chronicle breaks free of the usual constraints within that sub genre to concoct a truly memorable sci-fi thriller. Retracing the steps of three teenage friends who are gifted with telekinesis after a chance encounter with something (intelligently, the movie never stipulates what exactly), the story focuses on the varying paths they take with their new found talent, but not until they have had some juvenile fun with it first. This is an amazingly accomplished debut feature for writer-director Josh Trank (who co-penned the script with Max "son of John" Landis); his technical veracity is utterly mind-blowing – especially when you consider the shoestring funds he had to work with – and his narrative pacing is impeccable. The icing on the already yummy cake is the marvellous CGI that allows our protagonists to fly, crush cars and stop baseballs in mid air – all seamlessly and photo-realistically. Chronicle is a tremendous achievement in low-budget, big-concept filmmaking.

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official site [Japan]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

3 February 2012 (USA)

Also Known As:

Chronicle

Filming Locations:

British Columbia, Canada

Box Office

Budget:

$12,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$22,004,098, 5 February 2012

Gross USA:

$64,575,175

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$126,636,097

Company Credits

Production Co:

Twentieth Century Fox, Davis Entertainment, Dune Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

89 min 89 min (director's cut)

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital Datasat SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1