Primer

"What happens if it actually works?"

A group of fledgling inventors discover a complex method to manipulate reality. At first, they successfully game the stock market with it, but the consequences of the invention start to catch up with them.

Quick Stats
6.7
TMDB Rating
2,476
Votes
1h 17m
Runtime
$7K
Budget
$545K
Box Office
7792%
Return
Key Crew
DirectorShane Carruth
WriterShane Carruth
CinematographyTroy Dick
ComposerShane Carruth
EditorShane Carruth
Production DesignShane Carruth
Produced by
erbp

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Critics & Reviews

2 featured
CinemaSerf
6/10

This has quite a clever concept - a group of four engineering friends are building a prototype piece of equipment. "Abe" (David Sullivan) discovers - accidentally - when testing it, that is has positively game-changing potential and confides his secret in his colleague "Aaron" (Shane Carruth). Rather than share this invention between the group, the two decide to relocate their gadget and use it to exploit the stock markets and make themselves rich. It demonstrates quite well, the conflicting values and morals that this sort of limitless opportunity might present if given to any one of us - but the characterisations are way too one-dimensional. The dialogue is relentless, and after a while you just want them to stop talking and get on with it. It's short - and does require a bit of concentration to get anything out of it - but more, I found, as a source of an ethical conversation about "what if?" than about anything to do with this piece of drama, itself.

Written Sep 4, 2023 · read original
James

Brilliant concept, yet so-so execution which would have been helped by a higher budget. However, this is a brilliant attempt at creating a time travel film with next to no money. While the film has its faults, the performances and dialogue are great and I love that it doesn’t expect its audience to be dumb; by the way, when I say that… I mean it. This is maybe the most confusing film of all time.

Written Oct 15, 2023 · read original

Cast

Shane Carruth
Shane Carruth
Aaron
David Sullivan
David Sullivan
Abe
Casey Gooden
Casey Gooden
Robert
Anand Upadhyaya
Anand Upadhyaya
Philip
C
Carrie Crawford
Kara
J
Jay Butler
Metalshop Worker
J
John Carruth
Man On Couch #1
J
Juan Tapia
Man On Couch #2
A
Ashley Warren
Hostess
S
Samantha Thomson
Rachel Granger
C
Chip Carruth
Thomas Granger
D
Delaney Price
Laney
J
Jack Pyland
Aaron's Co-worker
K
Keith Bradshaw
Clean Room Technician
A
Ashok Upadhyaya
Laboratory Technician

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