Flashback (2021): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Where to Watch
Flashback is a 2021 drama thriller directed by Christopher MacBride, starring Maika Monroe as Cindy, Dylan O'Brien and Hannah Gross. It runs 1 hour 37 minutes and earned $177,143 worldwide. Critics gave it 49 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.1/10. Stream it on MovieSphere+, or rent or buy it on Amazon Video and Apple TV Store.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 37m (97 min)
- Director
- Christopher MacBride
- Original language
-
French
- Studio
- Lionsgate
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Flashback About?
The premise of Flashback without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.
As Frederick Fitzell's life spirals out of control, he's haunted by troubling visions connected to the disappearance of Cindy. To uncover the truth, he reconnects with his former high school friends, recalling their reckless experiences fueled by the drug Mercury. However, revisiting these memories reveals a disturbing reality, as the past and present intertwine, and Frederick struggles to distinguish between them in a desperate search for answers.
Flashback Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- f rated
- gynocentric
- time travel comedy
- written by star
- history of women's rights
- international women's day
- burn scar
- epilogue
- robespierre character
- year 1431
- year 1793
- year 1964
+38 more Show fewer
- science fiction comedy
- george sand character
- actress plays multiple roles
- female subjugation
- stripping in public
- corruption
- madame curie character
- paris france
- childbirth
- women's rights
- forced labor
- female lawyer
- moral reformation
- stage coach
- year 1945
- year 1803
- historical event
- abusive husband
- year 1906
- prehistoric times
- drunkenness
- woman on top sex
- year 1972
- napoleon bonaparte character
- cross dressing
- time travel sci fi
- pig pen
- actor plays multiple roles
- year 1982
- joan of arc character
- simone de beauvoir character
- sex discrimination
- taxi driver
- defense lawyer
- scene during end credits
- year 1850
- hedonism
- women's march
Where to Watch Flashback
Stream it on MovieSphere+, or rent or buy it from Amazon Video and Apple TV Store. US availability and prices from JustWatch.
Stream 1
Flashback Cast & Characters
Maika Monroe leads the cast as Cindy, with Dylan O'Brien as Fred and Hannah Gross as Karen. Directed by Christopher MacBride; 15 actors are credited in all.
- Director Christopher MacBride
-
Maika Monroe as Cindy -
Dylan O'Brien as Fred -
Hannah Gross as Karen - Liisa Repo-Martell as Mrs. Fitzell
Also Starring in Flashback
· 11 more- Connor Smith Scarred Man
- Amanda Brugel Evelyn
- Aaron Poole Pierced Man
- Emory Cohen Sebastian
- Josh Cruddas Twenty Something Man
- Keir Gilchrist
- Ian Matthews Horned Man
- Donald Burda Dr. Phillips
- Sima Fisher
- Maika Harper Tattooed Woman
- Myles Isen Fred at 6
Flashback Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Flashback 49 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.1/10. Our Echo Score gives it 52/100, strongest in art & craft (70) and weakest in story & flow (40).
Flashback Echo Score Breakdown
Overall, Flashback draws mixed reactions, with its visual ambition offset by narrative and character shortcomings. Critics and many viewers note an inventive, richly styled presentation that captivates on a sensory level, yet the plot meanders and the central characters lack depth, resulting in a fragmented experience. While a minority find the film rewatchable for its mood and occasional humor, the prevailing consensus points to limited appeal beyond a single viewing, tempering its overall impact.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 70
In terms of art and craft, the film showcases a bold visual style and purposeful direction that many reviewers find striking. Critics acknowledge the crafted, stylized aesthetic, and users highlight a rich, atmospheric cinematography and effective production design. However, some note that the frenetic visual flourishes occasionally obscure narrative clarity. Overall, the artistic execution is regarded as a notable strength despite occasional excess.
- Character & Emotion 45
When evaluating character and emotional resonance, opinions are largely critical. Multiple reviewers describe the protagonist as unconvincing and the character development as insufficient, leading to disengagement. A few viewers do praise specific performances, noting comedic timing and wit in the lead. Nonetheless, the dominant sentiment points to shallow arcs and limited chemistry, positioning character work as a weaker element of the film.
- Story & Flow 40
The story and flow receive mixed yet predominantly negative feedback. Reviewers cite a compelling premise that quickly becomes meandering, with pacing that drags after the initial setup. Narrative coherence is questioned, and several users mention clichéd plot devices and confusing exposition. While some appreciate the thematic ambition, the overall assessment reflects a storyline that fails to sustain engagement throughout its runtime.
- Sensory Experience 68
Sensory experience emerges as a relative strength, with many noting an immersive atmosphere and effective soundtrack. Critics and users alike commend the melancholy score, rich visual palette, and sound design that enhance tension. The film’s aesthetic choices contribute to a distinct mood, though occasional over‑stylization is mentioned. The consensus indicates that the sensory components succeed in creating a memorable, if uneven, auditory‑visual backdrop.
- Rewatch Factor 55
Rewatch factor is assessed as moderate. Some viewers report a desire to revisit the film, citing its intriguing moments and effective mood, even watching it twice. Conversely, several users express reluctance to see it again, citing confusion and unsatisfying resolution. The split opinions result in a middling score that reflects limited but not absent replay value, dependent on individual tolerance for its stylistic quirks.
-
IMDb 6.1 /10
See on IMDb -
Metacritic 49 Metascore
User score 6.2
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 61% User score
See on TMDB -
Letterboxd 3.0 /5
93 ratings
See on Letterboxd
Flashback Plot Summary & Ending Explained
What happens in Flashback from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Fred Fitzell [Dylan O’Brien] and his wife Karen [Hannah Gross] visit his mother, Mrs. Fitzell [Liisa Repo-Martell], who is slipping into a severe mental decline in a hospital. Fred holds a steady office job, but his days become shadowed by vivid flashbacks to his high school years. He is haunted by memories of a girl named Cindy Williams [Maika Monroe], spurring him to return to the old high school and grill a librarian about what happened to her after a drug spread through the campus. The more he digs, the more destabilized he becomes, until he is suddenly accosted in an alley by a scarred homeless man, a figure his mind keeps looping back to as the memories intensify.
Full summary
The whole story of Flashback, scene by scene, with the ending explained
Flashback Box Office
Flashback grossed $177,143 worldwide.
Worldwide gross
$177.1K
- International
- $177.1K
Flashback Trailers & Videos
The trailer of Flashback.
How Well Do You Know Flashback?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
Who portrays the main character Fred Fitzell?
Cars in Flashback
39 cars on screen, including the 2016 Abarth 595 C and the 1985 Peugeot 305.
-
2016 Abarth 595 C Important role -
1985 Peugeot 305 Important role -
2001 Volkswagen Passat Break B5 Typ 3BG Important role -
Mercedes-Benz C-Klasse W205 Minor role
Flashback Also Known As
21 alternative titles, including “The Education of Fredrick Fitzell” and “弗雷德里克·菲茨尔的教育”.
- Also known as
-
- The Education of Fredrick Fitzell
- 弗雷德里克·菲茨尔的教育
- Geçmişe Dönüş
- La educación de Fredrick Fitzell
- Выбор Фредерика Фитцелла
- 플래시백
- Efeito Flashback
- 闪回
- Inwersja
- 藥命回憶
- Vzpomínky Fredricka Fitzella
- Флешбек
+9 more Show fewer
- Educația lui Fredrick Fitzell
- פלאשבק
- Žvilgsnis į praeitį
- فلش بک
- Fredrick Fitzell megvilágosodása
- ย้อนหลอน รอยอดีต
- Hồi Tưởng
- Efecto Flashback
- La révélation, ფრედერიკ ფიტცელის განათლება
Seen Flashback?
Movies Like Flashback
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Retroactive, Out of Time and The Butterfly Effect.
Flashback FAQ: Where to Watch, Cast & Box Office
Runtime, release date, director, cast, where to watch, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of Flashback, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Flashback?
Flashback runs 1 hour 37 minutes (97 minutes).
When was Flashback released?
Flashback was released on June 4, 2021.
Who directed Flashback?
Flashback was directed by Christopher MacBride.
Who is in the cast of Flashback?
Flashback stars Maika Monroe as Cindy, Dylan O'Brien as Fred and Hannah Gross as Karen, among 15 credited actors.
Where can I watch Flashback?
In the US, Flashback is streaming on MovieSphere+ and available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home (availability from JustWatch).
How much did Flashback make at the box office?
Flashback grossed $177,143 worldwide.
How is Flashback rated?
Flashback has 6.1/10 on IMDb, 49 on Metacritic, 61% on TMDB and 3.0/5 on Letterboxd.
Does Flashback have a post-credit scene?
No. Flashback has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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