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Crime drama

Backtrace (2018): Cast, Ratings & Box Office

Backtrace (2018) movie poster

Backtrace is a 2018 crime drama directed by Brian A Miller, starring Matthew Modine as Donovan MacDonald, Sylvester Stallone and Christopher McDonald. It runs 1 hour 32 minutes and earned $490,636 worldwide on a $6 million budget. Critics gave it 9% on Rotten Tomatoes and 34 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 3.8/10.

IMDb rating
3.8/10
Rotten Tomatoes
9%
worldwide gross
$490.6K
Echo Score
20
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Backtrace (2018) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 32m (92 min)
Director
Brian A Miller
Genres
Drama , Crime
Original language
English
Studio
Happinet
Budget
$6M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Backtrace About?

The premise of Backtrace without spoilers.

Haunted by amnesia, former thief MacDonald awakens in a prison psychiatric ward. He’s forced to confront his forgotten past while navigating a dangerous game involving detectives and agents determined to stop him. MacDonald must recover stolen riches and face the dark secrets that led to his current predicament, all while struggling to piece together his identity.

Backtrace Themes & Keywords

· 37 tags
  • car
  • stolen money
  • gunfight
  • firefight
  • shot to death
  • amnesia
  • hidden loot
  • gunshot wound
  • wounded in the head
  • head injury
  • crime scene
  • police detective
+25 more
  • bank robber
  • bank robbery
  • news report
  • memory loss
  • security check
  • escape from prison
  • prison hospital
  • louisiana
  • manhunt
  • experimental drug
  • flashback
  • regaining memory
  • pov
  • pov shot
  • abandoned factory
  • shootout
  • headache
  • side effects
  • fbi agent
  • federal agent
  • corrupt fbi agent
  • corrupt federal agent
  • loss of son
  • low budget
  • memory drug
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Cast & crew

Backtrace Cast & Characters

Matthew Modine leads the cast as Donovan MacDonald, with Sylvester Stallone as Det. Sykes and Christopher McDonald as Special Agent Franks. Directed by Brian A Miller; 11 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Backtrace

· 7 more
Ratings

Backtrace Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Backtrace 9% on Rotten Tomatoes and 34 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 3.8/10. Our Echo Score gives it 20/100, strongest in sensory experience (28) and weakest in rewatch factor (10).

20 /100

Backtrace Echo Score Breakdown

In general Backtrace fails to coalesce its components into a compelling thriller. The direction and editing produce uneven pacing and incoherent action sequences, while the characters remain underwritten and emotionally unengaging. The plot offers predictable twists and underutilizes its experimental drug premise, resulting in minimal narrative momentum. Visually, the film employs drab design choices and featureless settings that undermine immersion. Limited enjoyment on repeat viewings further reduces its lasting appeal. Ultimately, the film falls short of delivering a satisfying experience.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 25

    In terms of art and craft, Backtrace exhibits uneven direction and uninspired cinematography. Action scenes are frequently incoherent due to excessive camera shake, and the production design relies on featureless exteriors that lack visual interest. Editing choices slow the narrative flow, contributing to a sense of tedium. Overall, the film’s technical construction does little to enhance engagement.

  • Character & Emotion 20

    When it comes to character and emotion, the performances are largely unconvincing and lack depth. The lead cast delivers wooden dialogue, and supporting roles are allocated minimal screen time, preventing any meaningful chemistry. Occasional efforts to introduce tension fall flat amid underwritten personalities. As a result, the film struggles to elicit emotional investment from its audience.

  • Story & Flow 15

    In terms of story and flow, the narrative follows predictable genre beats without offering fresh intrigue. Pacing lags in extended setup sequences, and plot twists are telegraphed early, reducing suspense. The experimental drug subplot never achieves its potential, and the amnesia element shifts abruptly from serious to farcical. Consequently, engagement wanes as the film advances toward an unsurprising conclusion.

  • Sensory Experience 28

    In terms of sensory experience, the film’s visual style is marked by drab color schemes and generic locations that lack cohesion. Sound design and musical cues seldom elevate tension, and action sequences rely on rapid fire effects rather than immersive audio elements. Overall, the sensory components fail to compensate for the weak narrative and character fundamentals.

  • Rewatch Factor 10

    When considering rewatch value, Backtrace offers minimal incentive for repeat viewing. The lack of memorable moments and underdeveloped characters provides little new discovery on subsequent watchings. Predictable plotting and flat execution further diminish any residual appeal. Therefore, the film’s lasting attraction remains extremely limited.

Box office

Backtrace Box Office & Budget

Backtrace grossed $490,636 worldwide on a $6 million budget, 8% of what it cost.

2018 box office

Worldwide gross

$490.6K

8% of its budget back

International
$490.6K
Budget
$6M
Videos

Backtrace Trailers & Videos

3 videos: 2 trailers and 1 teaser.

Official Trailer
  • Trailer Official International Trailer
  • Teaser Official Trailer
Cars

Cars in Backtrace

15 cars on screen, including the 2015 Dodge Charger and the 2004 Dodge Durango.

All 15 cars
  • 2015 Dodge Charger in Backtrace 2015 Dodge Charger Important role
  • 2004 Dodge Durango in Backtrace 2004 Dodge Durango Important role
  • 2014 Chevrolet Impala in Backtrace 2014 Chevrolet Impala Minor role
  • 2015 Chevrolet Impala in Backtrace 2015 Chevrolet Impala Minor role
Details

Backtrace Also Known As

25 alternative titles, including “Amnesia” and “Cuenta pendiente”.

Also known as
  • Amnesia
  • Cuenta pendiente
  • عقب نشینی
  • ردگیری
  • Compte pendent
  • Flashback
  • Memória de um Crime
  • Гра пам'яті
  • Точка возврата
  • Po własnych śladach
  • Обратно проследяване
  • מרדף קטלני
+13 more
  • Geritakip
  • 백트레이스
  • 回溯者
  • Stopa do minulosti
  • Grįžimo taškas
  • Visszafejtés
  • Retracer, თვალთვალი
  • Compte impagat
  • Pe firul amintirilor
  • バックトレース
  • التعقب
  • Ropar brez spomina
  • Pavediens

Seen Backtrace?

FAQ

Backtrace FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of Backtrace, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Backtrace?

Backtrace runs 1 hour 32 minutes (92 minutes).

When was Backtrace released?

Backtrace was released on December 14, 2018.

Who directed Backtrace?

Backtrace was directed by Brian A Miller.

More films by Brian A Miller

Who is in the cast of Backtrace?

Backtrace stars Matthew Modine as Donovan MacDonald, Sylvester Stallone as Det. Sykes and Christopher McDonald as Special Agent Franks, among 11 credited actors.

How much did Backtrace make at the box office?

Backtrace grossed $490,636 worldwide on a budget of $6 million.

How is Backtrace rated?

Backtrace has 3.8/10 on IMDb, 9% on Rotten Tomatoes, 34 on Metacritic and 50% on TMDB.

Does Backtrace have a post-credit scene?

No. Backtrace has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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