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Mystery thriller

Gazer (2025): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

Gazer (2025) movie poster

Gazer is a 2025 mystery thriller directed by Ryan J. Sloan, starring Ariella Mastroianni as Frankie Rhodes, Marianne Goodell and Emma Pearson. It runs 1 hour 54 minutes and earned $45,164 worldwide on a $80,000 budget. Critics gave it 80% on Rotten Tomatoes and 71 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.5/10.

IMDb rating
5.5/10
Rotten Tomatoes
80%
worldwide gross
$45.2K
Echo Score
73
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Gazer (2025) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 54m (114 min)
Director
Ryan J. Sloan
Genres
Mystery , Thriller
Original language
English
Budget
$80K
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Gazer About?

The premise of Gazer without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

A young mother with a condition that alters her perception of time strives to secure her daughter's future by taking a dangerous job. Hired by a woman with a shadowy past, she finds herself drawn into a complex and perilous situation involving revenge, deception, and murder.

Gazer Themes & Keywords

· 31 tags
  • female protagonist
  • ring
  • lie
  • nightmare sequence
  • telephone conversation
  • telephone call
  • car keys
  • dream sequence
  • following someone
  • dyschronometria
  • telephone booth
  • one word title
+19 more
  • audio cassette
  • fired from a job
  • diner
  • fake identity
  • gas station
  • bus
  • nightmare
  • losing a job
  • cassette tape
  • motel
  • eviction
  • audio tape
  • police officer
  • voice over
  • gun
  • pill
  • letter
  • murder suspect
  • police interrogation
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Cast & crew

Gazer Cast & Characters

Ariella Mastroianni leads the cast as Frankie Rhodes, with Marianne Goodell as Diane Rhodes and Emma Pearson as Cynthia Rhodes. Directed by Ryan J. Sloan; 18 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Gazer

· 14 more
Ratings

Gazer Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Gazer 80% on Rotten Tomatoes and 71 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.5/10. Our Echo Score gives it 73/100, strongest in art & craft (78) and weakest in story & flow (63).

73 /100

Gazer Echo Score Breakdown

Gazer delivers a compelling atmospheric vision tempered by uneven narrative progression. The film’s strong visual identity and measured performances establish a distinctive indie noir mood, while moments of thoughtful cohesion contrast with plot threads that rarely accelerate. Across several reviews, the central lead is praised for grounding the film even as pacing and story particulars draw mixed reactions. Overall, Gazer leaves a memorable impression through style and character work, despite occasional lapses in momentum.

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

  • Art & Craft 78

    In terms of art and craft, Gazer exhibits a confident visual style punctuated by deliberate framing and lo-fi production design. Influences from classic urban noir are evident yet balanced with genuine invention in location work and editing choices. While some critics note overly obvious homages, the film’s cohesive aesthetic and moody palette underscore an accomplished directorial approach. The net effect is a visually engaging presentation that feels both referential and original.

  • Character & Emotion 75

    When it comes to character and emotion, Gazer relies heavily on its lead performance to anchor the narrative. Ariella Mastroianni’s reserved yet expressive portrayal of Frankie conveys disorientation and fragility, creating effective emotional resonance. Supporting figures remain underexplored, but the central character’s journey sustains viewer investment. Despite occasional doubts about dramatic plausibility, the film offers a nuanced lead performance that serves as its most affecting element.

  • Story & Flow 63

    In terms of story and flow, Gazer struggles with uneven pacing and occasional narrative opacity. The psychological thriller framework coheres in key sequences, but multiple twists and fuzzy plot details diminish overall clarity. Some reviewers appreciate the thematic ambiguity and period-tinged atmosphere, while others find momentum stalls undermine engagement. As a result, the plot feels intermittently engrossing yet ultimately hampered by underdeveloped story arcs and inconsistent narrative propulsion.

  • Sensory Experience 78

    With respect to sensory experience, Gazer crafts an evocative soundscape and visual cohesion that amplify its themes of isolation. The score’s unsettling tones and sparse sound design heighten atmospheric tension, while muted color grading and deliberate camera movement reinforce a sense of urban unease. Occasional low-fi texture underscores the indie spirit. Overall, the film’s audiovisual elements work in concert to deliver a palpable mood that resonates beyond individual scenes.

  • Rewatch Factor 70

    Concerning rewatch factor, Gazer’s distinctive mood and lead performance encourage subsequent viewings, though narrative opacity may limit broader replay value. Viewers intrigued by visual flourishes and tonal nuances will uncover subtle details on revisits. However, uneven plotting and subdued supporting character arcs may diminish enthusiasm for repeated experiences. In sum, the film offers sufficient stylistic depth to reward some returns, even if its structural flaws moderate full replay appeal.

Plot

Gazer Plot Summary

What happens in Gazer from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

The story begins in New Jersey, where Frankie Rhodes, played by Ariella Mastroianni, finds herself unexpectedly unemployed. While working as a gas station attendant, her attention is diverted from her duties by a violent and disturbing encounter taking place in a neighboring apartment. Because she is distracted by this chaos, she loses her job. Later, the woman involved in that violent incident attends a survivors meeting with Ariella Mastroianni’s character. During this meeting, the woman offers Frankie a deal: $3,000 in exchange for simply “moving a car.”

Full summary

The whole story of Gazer, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Gazer Box Office & Budget

Gazer grossed $45,164 worldwide on a $80,000 budget, 56% of what it cost. $38,156 came from the US and Canada and $7,008 (16%) from the rest of the world.

2025 box office

Worldwide gross

$45.2K

56% of its budget back

US & Canada
$38.2K
International
$7K
Budget
$80K
US & Canada 84% Rest of the world 16%
Videos

Gazer Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Gazer.

Official Trailer
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Gazer?

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

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

In which U.S. state does the story begin?

Details

Gazer Also Known As

4 alternative titles, including “게이저” and “The Gazer”.

Also known as
  • 게이저
  • The Gazer
  • Cuộc Chơi Mạo Hiểm
  • 凝视者

Seen Gazer?

FAQ

Gazer FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

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

How long is Gazer?

Gazer runs 1 hour 54 minutes (114 minutes).

When was Gazer released?

Gazer was released on April 4, 2025.

Who directed Gazer?

Gazer was directed by Ryan J. Sloan.

Who is in the cast of Gazer?

Gazer stars Ariella Mastroianni as Frankie Rhodes, Marianne Goodell as Diane Rhodes and Emma Pearson as Cynthia Rhodes, among 18 credited actors.

How much did Gazer make at the box office?

Gazer grossed $45,164 worldwide ($38,156 domestic, $7,008 international) on a budget of $80,000.

How is Gazer rated?

Gazer has 5.5/10 on IMDb, 80% on Rotten Tomatoes, 71 on Metacritic and 61% on TMDB.

Does Gazer have a post-credit scene?

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

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