Gazer (2024) by Ryan J. Sloan: A Fragmented Reality
- dailyentertainment95
- Jul 22
- 10 min read
Movie Summary: A Mother's Desperate Fight Against Time and Memory
"Gazer" is a 2024 American psychological mystery thriller, serving as the feature directorial debut of Ryan J. Sloan, who also co-wrote, produced, and edited the film. The story follows Frankie Rhodes, a young single mother suffering from dyschronometria, a rare neurological disorder that severely impairs her ability to perceive time and causes sudden blackouts. Desperate to regain custody of her daughter and escape mounting financial pressure, Frankie takes a risky, high-paying job from a mysterious woman. Unaware of the dark and paranoid consequences that await, Frankie navigates a world where her own mind is an unreliable guide, relying on self-recorded cassette tapes to ground her in reality as she descends into a conspiracy that threatens to consume her.
Link IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt28633405/
About movie: https://www.paradisecity-films.com/gazer
Link to watch: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/gazer-2025 (US), https://www.justwatch.com/au/movie/gazer (Australia), https://www.justwatch.com/ca/movie/gazer (Canada)
Detailed Summary: The Labyrinth of Frankie's Mind
Frankie's Fragmented Existence: The film introduces Frankie Rhodes, a young mother living with dyschronometria. This condition means she struggles to know how much time has passed, leading to disorienting blackouts and a fractured sense of reality. To cope, she constantly listens to self-recorded cassette tapes, reminding herself of tasks, recent events, and key details to keep her grounded. Her daughter is currently in the custody of her mother-in-law, adding to Frankie's desperation.
A Desperate Opportunity: After losing yet another low-skill job, Frankie is in dire financial straits. While observing a mysterious woman through an apartment window, she witnesses what appears to be an act of violence. Soon after, this same woman approaches Frankie with a strange and risky job offer: sneak into the apartment, retrieve some keys, and steal a car. Desperate for the money to fight for her daughter's custody, Frankie accepts.
Descent into Paranoia: As Frankie undertakes the job, she finds herself drawn deeper into a complex, paranoid conspiracy. Her condition makes it difficult to discern what is real, what is memory, and what might be hallucination. The "risky job" quickly escalates into something far more dangerous, involving missing persons and unsettling encounters.
Voyeurism and Unreliable Narration: Frankie's compulsion to observe others and her reliance on external aids (the tapes) for information make her an unreliable narrator. The film invites the audience to get lost in her confusion, mirroring her experience of time and memory distortion. There are visual and thematic nods to classic thrillers and neo-noir, exploring themes of voyeurism and the human desire to impose logic on chaos.
The Pursuit of Stability: Despite the escalating dangers and her own deteriorating mental state, Frankie's primary motivation remains providing stability and security for her daughter. This drive pushes her into increasingly precarious situations, where the line between protagonist and potential victim blurs.
Ambiguous Conclusion: The narrative builds tension through its atmospheric dread and a sense of growing psychological torment. The film reportedly moves towards an open-ended or unsatisfying (for some critics) conclusion, leaving the audience to grapple with the ambiguity of Frankie's fate and the reality of the events she experienced.
Plot Summary: A Mother's Battle for Reality
Frankie Rhodes, a young mother afflicted with a rare brain disorder (dyschronometria) that distorts her perception of time, relies on self-recorded cassette tapes to navigate her daily life.
Facing financial hardship and a battle for custody of her daughter, Frankie takes a high-paying, but dangerous, job from a mysterious woman she has been observing.
This job pulls her into a dark and paranoid criminal underworld, where her fragmented sense of time and reality makes it increasingly difficult to distinguish truth from illusion.
As she becomes entangled in a conspiracy, Frankie must fight not only external threats but also the deteriorating state of her own mind.
The film explores themes of desperation, vulnerability, and the human need for stability amidst profound internal and external chaos.
Director's Vision: Ryan J. Sloan's Low-Budget, High-Concept Debut
"Gazer" marks Ryan J. Sloan's feature directorial debut, a project he also co-wrote, co-produced, and co-edited. His vision for the film is characterized by:
Guerrilla Filmmaking: Sloan made the film on a shoestring budget over two years, primarily on weekends, while working full-time. This "guerrilla-style independent filmmaking" approach lends an authentic, gritty feel.
Homage to Classic Thrillers: The film is described as a "masterful tribute to, and bold reinvention of, the work of many great cinema artists over several generations." Sloan draws heavily from 1970s and 80s paranoia thrillers, neo-noir, and directors like Alfred Hitchcock, David Cronenberg, and even Christopher Nolan ("Memento") and the atmospheric dread of "Twin Peaks."
Visual Style and Atmosphere: Shot on grainy anamorphic 16mm film, Sloan and cinematographer Matheus Bastos create a "visually compelling," "atmospheric and seedy" aesthetic. The film uses "malevolently layered sound design" and a "plaintive, horn-heavy score" to evoke a 1970s detective movie feel, specifically mentioning "Night Moves."
Weaponizing Unreliable Narration: Sloan intentionally aims to immerse the audience in Frankie's confusion and disorder, making her unreliable narration a key stylistic and thematic element. He finds "sharp visual ways to convey how his main character experiences these gaps in time."
Character Study within Genre: While a thriller, the film is also intended as a "curious study in point-of-view storytelling" and a "polarizing character study," focusing on Frankie's psychological state and desperation.
Themes: Perception of Time, Motherhood, Paranoia, Voyeurism, and Identity
Fragmented Perception of Time: Central to the film is Frankie's dyschronometria, exploring how a distorted sense of time impacts memory, reality, and decision-making.
Motherhood and Desperation: Frankie's struggle to provide for and regain custody of her daughter serves as a powerful motivating factor, highlighting the extreme measures a mother might take for her child.
Paranoia and Conspiracy: The narrative plunges Frankie into a world of suspicion and unseen forces, mirroring her internal disorientation with external threats.
Voyeurism and Observation: Frankie's habit of watching others, combined with the film's visual style, delves into themes of observation, interpretation, and the creation of narratives from fragmented information.
Identity and Control: As Frankie's reality breaks down, the film explores how one maintains a sense of self and control when fundamental cognitive functions are compromised.
Neo-Noir Tropes: Utilizes classic noir elements such as a desperate protagonist, a mysterious femme fatale-like figure, a convoluted plot, and a sense of impending doom.
Key Success Factors: Festival Acclaim, Unique Premise, and Indie Spirit
Cannes Directors' Fortnight Premiere: Its world premiere at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival (Directors' Fortnight section) immediately put "Gazer" on the map, a remarkable achievement for a self-financed debut feature.
Critically Praised Lead Performance: Ariella Mastroianni, who also co-wrote the film, has received significant praise for her "terrific," "magnetic," and "raw intensity" portrayal of Frankie.
Distinctive Visual Style: The 16mm cinematography and atmospheric sound design contribute to a unique and compelling viewing experience that stands out in the indie landscape.
High-Concept Premise: The rare neurological condition combined with a mystery thriller creates a fresh and intriguing hook.
Independent Spirit: The film's low-budget, passion-project origins resonate with critics and audiences who champion authentic, resourceful filmmaking.
Metrograph Pictures Acquisition: Being acquired by a respected arthouse distributor like Metrograph Pictures signals strong critical alignment and a strategic release.
Awards & Nominations: Independent Film Acclaim
"Gazer" has received notable recognition on the film festival circuit, particularly for its independent spirit and unique vision.
Cannes Film Festival (2024):
World Premiere at Directors' Fortnight (Quinzaine des Cinéastes). This is a prestigious non-competitive section that highlights innovative and promising new directors. Its selection here is a significant achievement for a debut feature.
Glasgow Film Festival (2025): Screened as part of its program.
Other Festival Selections: The film has been shown at other festivals globally, garnering positive reactions, as mentioned in interviews with the filmmakers.
No Major Industry Awards (Yet): As of July 2025, being a relatively recent release, "Gazer" has not yet received nominations or wins from major industry awards (e.g., Academy Awards, Golden Globes, Independent Spirit Awards). Its impact and potential for such awards will be seen in future cycles.
Summary: "Gazer" has gained significant recognition in the independent film world, notably premiering at the prestigious Directors' Fortnight at Cannes 2024. This early festival success indicates strong critical buzz for Ryan J. Sloan's debut feature.
Critics' Reception: Hypnotic, Stylish, and Unsettling
Critical reception for "Gazer" has been generally positive, with reviewers praising its distinct visual style, strong lead performance, and a compelling, disorienting atmosphere, often drawing comparisons to renowned psychological thrillers.
Metacritic Score: 69 out of 100, based on 15 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews."
Rotten Tomatoes Score: The film has garnered positive reviews, with a consensus praising it as "Hypnotic and stylish if a little too indulgent in its pacing, Gazer is an intriguing mood piece featuring a terrific performance by Ariella Mastroianni."
Visual Style and Cinematography: Shot on 16mm film, the cinematography by Matheus Bastos is frequently lauded as "magnificent," "gauzy," and contributing to a "dreamy and intricate" look. Reviewers note its ability to create a "fractured, sensory puzzle of memory and fear" (Roger Ebert, The Film Stage, The Playlist).
Atmosphere and Mood: The film is described as a "hypnotic, distinct directorial debut" that creates a "slow-burning paranoia" with an "eerie" and "ominous mood" enhanced by Steve Matthew Carter's "dark, jazzy score" (The Film Stage, Cineuropa). Comparisons to David Lynch and David Cronenberg are common for its blend of psychological and body horror elements.
Ariella Mastroianni's Performance: As Frankie, Ariella Mastroianni (also co-writer) receives strong praise for her "enormously mesmerizing" and "magnetic" performance, conveying a woman on the edge of breakdown with subtlety and strength (The Film Stage, Sortiraparis.com).
Intriguing Premise: The central concept of a protagonist suffering from dyschronometria (a condition affecting time perception) is found to be "unique" and effectively utilized to create tension and disorientation for the audience (The Film Stage, The Independent).
Guerrilla Filmmaking Success: Many critics acknowledge and admire the fact that the film was self-financed and shot on a shoestring budget over two years, viewing its polished result as a testament to the filmmakers' passion and talent (The Independent, Filmmaker Magazine).
Areas of Critique: Some reviews mention that the film, while visually compelling, can be "a little too indulgent in its pacing" or that certain dream sequences feel "slightly crammed in." Others found the narrative to be "muddled, difficult to follow and unfulfilling" at times due to too many underdeveloped plot elements (The Film Stage, Metacritic user reviews).
Summary: "Gazer" has received strong positive reviews, particularly for its unique visual aesthetic, unsettling atmosphere, and Ariella Mastroianni's compelling lead performance. Critics praise Ryan J. Sloan's ambitious debut for its homage to psychological thrillers and film noir, though some found its narrative complexity and pacing occasionally uneven.
Reviews: A Mother's Slipping Grasp on Reality
Reviews delve into the film's plot, focusing on the protagonist's debilitating condition, her desperate circumstances, and her descent into a paranoid mystery.
Plot Overview: The film centers on Frankie Rhodes (Ariella Mastroianni), a young, widowed single mother struggling with a rare and fatal neurological condition called dyschronometria, which severely impacts her ability to perceive and keep track of time, leading to sudden blackouts and memory loss.
A Desperate Situation: Frankie is in dire financial straits and fighting for custody of her young daughter, Emma. To cope with her condition and guide herself, she relies on self-recorded cassette tapes that repeat affirmations and instructions to "focus" and "rewind" if she feels a blackout coming on.
The Mysterious Job: In her desperation, Frankie takes a risky, high-paying job offered by a mysterious woman named Claire (Renee Gagner) whom she meets at a grief counseling meeting. The job simply involves breaking into an apartment, retrieving keys, and driving a car.
Descent into Paranoia and Crime: What seems like a simple task quickly embroils Frankie in a "tense web of revenge, deceit, and murder" (Metacritic synopsis). Her inability to perceive time normally, coupled with blackouts, makes her an unreliable narrator and suspect, plunging her into a "paranoid conspiracy" where she struggles to differentiate between reality, dreams, and her condition's effects (The Playlist, The Film Stage).
Homage to Noir and Psychological Thrillers: Reviews frequently highlight the film's stylistic and narrative influences from classic film noir (with its femme fatale, voiceovers, and shadows) and psychological thrillers like Christopher Nolan's "Memento," Francis Ford Coppola's "The Conversation," and Michelangelo Antonioni's "Blow-Up" (Roger Ebert, The Independent, Metrograph Journal).
Character Study: Beyond the mystery, the film functions as a deep "character study" of Frankie, allowing the audience to intimately experience her loneliness, confusion, and the "ghost-like existence" caused by her condition (Eye For Film, Metrograph Journal).
Ambiguous and Disorienting: The film's structure and the protagonist's unreliable perception contribute to a disorienting and often ambiguous experience for the viewer, mirroring Frankie's own fragmented reality.
Summary: "Gazer" is reviewed as a psychological thriller that follows Frankie Rhodes, a single mother afflicted with a rare condition that disrupts her perception of time. Desperate for money, she takes on a mysterious job that pulls her into a dangerous criminal underworld. The film intimately portrays her fragmented reality and escalating paranoia, serving as both a tense mystery and a profound character study, reminiscent of classic noir and mind-bending thrillers.
Why to Watch This Movie: A Mind-Bending Indie Gem
Unique Psychological Thriller: If you enjoy films that play with perception, memory, and an unreliable narrator, "Gazer" offers a compelling and disorienting experience.
Acclaimed Debut: It's a remarkably ambitious and well-executed first feature from director Ryan J. Sloan.
Phenomenal Lead Performance: Ariella Mastroianni's portrayal of Frankie is central to the film's success and has received widespread critical praise.
Atmospheric and Stylish: The 16mm cinematography and homage to classic noir create a distinct visual and auditory experience.
Indie Spirit: For those who appreciate resourceful, passion-driven independent filmmaking, this film is a testament to what can be achieved on a limited budget.
Movie Trend: Micro-Budget Auteur Thrillers
"Gazer" perfectly exemplifies the trend of micro-budget auteur thrillers gaining traction on the festival circuit and with arthouse distributors. This trend sees emerging filmmakers utilizing limited resources (often shooting on film, with small crews and non-professional actors) to create high-concept, psychologically complex genre films. These movies prioritize atmosphere, character study, and distinctive visual styles over big special effects or star power. They often draw influence from classic cinema but put a modern, often more unsettling, spin on familiar tropes, appealing to cinephiles and critics looking for fresh voices and experimental storytelling.
Social Trend: The Digitalization of Memory and Cognitive Health Narratives
The film taps into the growing social awareness around cognitive health, the fragility of memory, and the human reliance on external aids in a digitally mediated world. While Frankie uses analog cassette tapes, her struggle to organize time and information reflects a broader societal anxiety about information overload and the dependence on technology (like smartphones, calendars, digital assistants) to manage our daily lives and memories. "Gazer" uniquely dramatizes the personal chaos when these systems fail or when a core cognitive function is compromised, resonating with a society increasingly aware of neurodiversity and the vulnerabilities of the human mind.
Final Verdict: A Hypnotic and Ambitious Debut
"Gazer (2024)," Ryan J. Sloan's remarkable feature debut, is a hypnotic and ambitious psychological mystery thriller that plunges viewers into a fragmented reality. Anchored by a compelling and highly praised performance from Ariella Mastroianni, the film skillfully uses its low-budget 16mm aesthetic and a unique premise (a mother with dyschronometria) to create a pervasive sense of paranoia and disorientation. While some critics note that its narrative may occasionally be elusive or its pacing indulgent, "Gazer" is a powerful calling card for its filmmakers, offering a visually striking and intellectually engaging experience that pays homage to classic thrillers while forging its own distinct path. Its strong showing at Cannes Directors' Fortnight marks it as a significant independent film of 2024.
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