Science Fiction

Thriller

MXN Entertainment

Lost City

XYZ Films

United States of America

English

Español

Robbie Amell

Rachael Taylor

Gray Powell

Jacob Neayem

Shaun Benson

Adam Butcher

Tantoo Cardinal

Nicolas Van Burek

Jamie Spilchuk

Tony Elliott

Keegan Jessamy

Bryce Mitchell

John Finemore

Kyle Franke

Mason Novick

Mary Anne Waterhouse

Elizabeth Grave

Michelle Knudsen

Priscilla Galvez

Ian Bricke

James Hoppe

Matt Levin

Nick Spicer

Daniel Grant

Kye Meechan

Angela Demo

Oleg M. Savytski

Shelley Silverman

Patrick Antosh

Traci Loader

Sandy Sokolowski

CinemaSerf

This is quite possibly the slowest burn of a film I have ever seen. It is reminiscent of a video game that you used to play: initially you don't get past the end of level one; then you progress slowly but surely through the game learning from your mistakes, though frequently having to start again from scratch.... Well this is one of them, with Robbie Amell and Rachael Taylor caught in a time loop that gradually reveals a story of betrayal and duplicity as they try to protect a gizmo that might just be the answer to humanity's energy problems from "Torus", a company that wants it too. Unfortunately, and as usual for Amell, this is a rather dry, uninteresting piece of drama - neither character really has any depth; the dialogue and effects are repetitive and all in all it amounts to little more than a digital "Groundhog Day" with apples and fisticuffs.

ARQ is a neat sci-fi flick that's enjoyable enough to keep you from hitting the fast-forward button. The directing by Tony Elliott is straightforward and effective, keeping the action tight and focused without getting bogged down in unnecessary distractions. Cinematography-wise, the film does well considering its confined setting, creating just enough claustrophobic tension to maintain interest. The visuals aren't mind-blowing, but they serve the story perfectly, giving it a gritty, futuristic vibe without leaning too heavily on special effects.

The acting is pretty solid, especially Robbie Amell and Rachael Taylor, who manage to deliver believable performances that hold your attention despite the repetitive nature of a time-loop plot. Speaking of which, the script offers an intriguing premise built around the concept of an "Arcing Recursive Quine," cleverly referencing self-replicating programs known in coding circles as quines. The time loop itself lasts exactly 3 hours, 14 minutes, and 15 seconds, intentionally mirroring the number π (pi), symbolizing the endless cycle the characters are trapped in.

However, while these ideas sound intriguing, the film doesn't quite explore them as deeply as it could, leaving certain questions unanswered. The script includes subtle nods to looping concepts, notably through the codename "Mobius," referencing the Möbius strip, a symbol of infinite loops and endless cycles. The score and sound design don't particularly stand out, but they're effective enough at enhancing tension during key moments. Overall, ARQ is worth a watch if you're into mind-bending sci-fi and don't mind a story that opts for mystery over detailed explanations.

Official Trailer

Best Movies

ARQ

Cast & Crew

Videos

Cast

Robbie Amell

Rachael Taylor

Gray Powell

Jacob Neayem

Shaun Benson

Adam Butcher

Tantoo Cardinal

Nicolas Van Burek

Jamie Spilchuk

Box office

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