Transcendence

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2:24

Transcendence

PG-13

Released Apr 18, 2014

1h 59m

Sci-Fi

Action

Mystery & Thriller

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Popcornmeter

19%

Tomatometer

225 Reviews

37%

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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

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.

Rated: 2/5

Jan 9, 2017

Full Review

David Sims

The Atlantic

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

Sep 22, 2016

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Jason Bailey

Flavorwire

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

Jun 18, 2016

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Keith Garlington

Keith & the Movies

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

Rated: 2/5

Aug 27, 2022

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Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

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

Rated: 2/4

Aug 15, 2022

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Richard Crouse

Richard Crouse

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

Rated: 2/5

Feb 1, 2021

Full Review

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Yanis B

One of the most underrated movies of all time

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/21/25

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Iris Y

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.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/19/25

Full Review

Audience Member

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

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

07/13/25

Full Review

Greg H

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

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

07/07/25

Full Review

Glyn M

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

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

06/21/25

Full Review

Andrew W

In 2014, this premise was a sci-fi, distant future concept. In 2022, federal funding was authorized within Executive Order 14073-Enhancing the National Quantum Initiative Advisory Committee.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/10/25

Full Review

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Wally Pfister

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Johnny Depp

Will Caster

Rebecca Hall

Evelyn Caster

Paul Bettany

Max Waters

Cillian Murphy

Agent Buchanan

Kate Mara

Bree

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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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