Transcendence

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2:24

Transcendence

PG-13

2014

1h 59m

Sci-Fi

Action

Mystery & Thriller

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

19%

Tomatometer

225 Reviews

37%

Popcornmeter

50,000+ Ratings

Dr. Will Caster (Johnny Depp), the world's foremost authority on artificial intelligence, is conducting highly controversial experiments to create a sentient machine. When extremists try to kill the doctor, they inadvertently become the catalyst for him to succeed. Will's wife, Evelyn (Rebecca Hall), and best friend, Max (Paul Bettany), can only watch as his thirst for knowledge evolves to an omnipresent quest for power, and his loved ones soon realize that it may be impossible to stop him.

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Critics Consensus

In his directorial debut, ace cinematographer Wally Pfister remains a distinctive visual stylist, but Transcendence's thought-provoking themes exceed the movie's narrative grasp.

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Roxana Hadadi

Punch Drunk Critics

01/09/2017

2/5

There's no surprise here; no nuance. And without any understanding of its subject matter or any interest in making others understand, either, Transcendence gives you very little reason to care.

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David Sims

The Atlantic

09/22/2016

Pfister and Paglen are going for emotional intimacy, but they forgot to add enough shading to their ensemble to land any kind of punch.

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Jason Bailey

Flavorwire

06/18/2016

Pfister manages to put up one eye-catching image after another, yet never engages us for more than a moment.

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Keith Garlington

Keith & the Movies

08/27/2022

2/5

“Transcendence” looked good on paper but not in execution.

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Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

08/15/2022

2/4

Transcendence looks like a top-notch production, but nothing about it stands out in any way.

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Richard Crouse

Richard Crouse

02/01/2021

2/5

Asks some interesting questions but might have been more thought provoking if it was a better movie

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thiago s

@Thiagostone Nov 30

Filme fraco, o roteiro é fraco, as cenas são fracas, a história é fraca, o elenco é fraco, e ninguém ajuda a melhorar o filme, os personagens são fracos, e o filme deveria ter cenas bem melhores e relevantes, para fazer o filme ser bom

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Yanis B

Sep 21

One of the most underrated movies of all time

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Iris Y

Aug 19

Stands out for daring to explore the idea of uploading human consciousness into machines, a concept that echoes real debates in physics and neuroscience about information, quantum states, and the nature of consciousness. The film frames advanced AI not just as a tool but as a fundamental shift in human evolution, which aligns with current discussions on quantum computing and the limits of Moore’s Law. While stylized for cinema, its themes capture the essence of what great sci-fi does - stretching real scientific principles into a vision of where humanity might go.

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@Argyle Jul 13

With a good cast..pretty good scenes...but its just boring..it did nothing for me and im typing this before it ended...unlikable characters make it a total flop

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Greg H

Jul 7

I did hesitate when I saw the ratings, however actually enjoyed this, some originality and decent take on the genre. Probably more relevant now than when conceived

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Glyn M

Jun 21

Watching this in 2025 June brings the reality of AI alot closer to home. We are closer now to this reality than ever.

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Wally Pfister

Director

Johnny Depp

Will Caster

Rebecca Hall

Evelyn Caster

Paul Bettany

Max Waters

Cillian Murphy

Agent Buchanan

Kate Mara

Bree

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18%

46%

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for Self/less

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20%

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38%

46%

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Skyline

15%

18%

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92%

82%

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Transcendence: Trailer 1

2:24

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Synopsis

Dr. Will Caster (Johnny Depp), the world's foremost authority on artificial intelligence, is conducting highly controversial experiments to create a sentient machine. When extremists try to kill the doctor, they inadvertently become the catalyst for him to succeed. Will's wife, Evelyn (Rebecca Hall), and best friend, Max (Paul Bettany), can only watch as his thirst for knowledge evolves to an omnipresent quest for power, and his loved ones soon realize that it may be impossible to stop him.

Director: Wally Pfister
Producer: Andrew A. Kosove, Broderick Johnson, Kate Cohen, Marisa Polvino, Annie Marter, David Valdes, Aaron Ryder
Screenwriter: Jack Paglen
Distributor: Warner Bros. Pictures
Production Co: DMG Entertainment, Straight Up Films, Alcon Entertainment
Rating: PG-13 (Sci-Fi Action and Violence|Brief Strong Language|Sensuality|Some Bloody Images)
Genre: Sci-Fi, Action, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Apr 18, 2014, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 14, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA): $23.0M
Runtime: 1h 59m
Sound Mix: Datasat, Dolby Digital, Dolby Atmos

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