The Butterfly Effect

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2:25

The Butterfly Effect

R

Released Jan 23, 2004

1h 53m

Mystery & Thriller

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

34%

Tomatometer

170 Reviews

81%

Popcornmeter

250,000+ Ratings

College student Evan Treborn (Ashton Kutcher) is afflicted with headaches so painful that he frequently blacks out. While unconscious, Evan is able to travel back in time to difficult moments in his childhood. He can also alter the past for friends, like Kayleigh (Amy Smart), who was molested by her father (Eric Stoltz). But changing the past can drastically alter the present, and Evan finds himself in nightmarish alternate realities, including one where he's locked away in prison.

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Critics Consensus

The premise is intriguing, but it's placed in the service of an overwrought and tasteless thriller.

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Nell Minow

Common Sense Media

Ouch. Ouch. Ouch. So very bad.

Rated: 1/5

Dec 28, 2010

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Empire Magazine

Rated: 2/5

Apr 1, 2006

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Jonathan Crocker

BBC.com

Lobotomised entertainment that's dark, violent, and hilariously dumb.

Rated: 2/5

Apr 13, 2004

Full Review

Luke Buckmaster

Flicks (AU, NZ, UK)

This film is so gut-wrenchingly dark and twisted I’d also call it a horror movie, with virtually no respite once its core premise swings into gear.

May 21, 2024

Full Review

James Croot

Stuff.co.nz

Wildly uneven and not exactly high-quality entertainment, The Butterfly Effect has, nonetheless, weirdly turned out to be strangely memorable, especially for certain generation of moviegoers.

Rated: 3/5

Jan 12, 2022

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C.H. Newell

Father Son Holy Gore

The Butterfly Effect looks at the power of memory, the repercussions of events from our past that bleed into the present.

Rated: 3.5/5

May 5, 2019

Full Review

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Kurt B

I watched this when it first came out and loved it, because of the premise of how small decisions can completely affect so much in future timelines. I just watched it again many years later. I still enjoyed it just as much as the first time. Has good an intriguing storyline and keeps my interest.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/21/25

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Sajad R

The idea and story of the movie are good, but the film itself is not.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/17/25

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Audience Member

Don't listen to the critics on this one it's a good memorable movie and I can be critical with movies.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/10/25

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My Web M

An intriguing idea at the heart of it, but it's unfortunately wrapped in the horrible message that other people's lives would be perfect if only you never were born. This movie is the opposite of It's a Wonderful Life. I saw this in the theater when it first came out, but had forgotten about it. Just watched it tonight and kind of wish I hadn't.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

01/10/25

Full Review

yasir f

i think this movie was pretty interesting and it honestly had me hooked for most of the movie. It has beautiful cinematography and the characters played their role so well I was emotionally invested and I actually think this movie was pretty good. I’d think it really does live up to the title of psychological horror because when you’re watching this movie, you kinda lose track of what’s happening, but you’re so into it that it is good. yeah definitely would recommend.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

12/26/24

Full Review

Michael M

Don’t listen to the Rotten Tomatoes on here, as usual they only like old repetitive superhero movies. This movie was awesome twenty years ago and still is today! Highly recommend for a low key thriller (not intense), and someone mystery while still relaying a message.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/25/24

Full Review

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Eric Bress

Director

J. Mackye Gruber

Director

Ashton Kutcher

Evan Treborn

Amy Smart

Kayleigh Miller

Eric Stoltz

George Miller

William Lee Scott

Tommy Miller

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The Butterfly Effect: Trailer 1

2:25

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Synopsis

College student Evan Treborn (Ashton Kutcher) is afflicted with headaches so painful that he frequently blacks out. While unconscious, Evan is able to travel back in time to difficult moments in his childhood. He can also alter the past for friends, like Kayleigh (Amy Smart), who was molested by her father (Eric Stoltz). But changing the past can drastically alter the present, and Evan finds himself in nightmarish alternate realities, including one where he's locked away in prison.

Director: Eric Bress, J. Mackye Gruber
Producer: Chris Bender, A.J. Dix, J.C. Spink, Anthony Rhulen
Screenwriter: Eric Bress, J. Mackye Gruber
Distributor: New Line Cinema
Production Co: Katalyst Films, Blackout Entertainment, Benderspink, Film Engine
Rating: R (Language|Brief Drug Use|Sexual Content|Violence)
Genre: Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 23, 2004, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Jul 1, 2008
Box Office (Gross USA): $57.7M
Runtime: 1h 53m
Sound Mix: Surround, DTS, Dolby SRD, SDDS
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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