My quick rating – 6.9/10. Barely missing the 7 mark, and only because the camera sometimes forgets it’s supposed to help us see things. Chronicle takes the overused “teens get superpowers” setup and actually makes it feel fresh. So, suspend disbelief, grab your Dramamine, and dive in.
Three high school buddies accidentally acquire telekinetic powers after poking around a glowing hole in the ground (always a great idea). At first, they’re just doing what any of us would—playing pranks, moving Legos with their minds, and recording everything on what must’ve been the busiest camcorder in Seattle. But soon, the fun turns darker as one of them starts to crack under the weight of, well, being a hormonal teenager with godlike powers.
What makes Chronicle stand out is how it grounds its story. It’s not about saving the world—it’s about what happens when power amplifies insecurity, anger, and isolation. The whole thing feels uncomfortably real at times, like if Carrie met The Blair Witch Project but with better special effects and fewer people terrified of trees.
Speaking of effects, they’re seriously impressive. The way the visual trickery blends into the found-footage style is seamless—so much so that it kind of sets a new bar for the genre. The flying scenes, the chaos, the destruction—it all feels immediate and raw. You believe these kids are actually doing this stuff, and that’s a credit to both the effects team and the actors, who sell the transformation from goofy teens to tragic figures with surprising depth.
The pacing is near perfect; the 90 minutes fly by and build toward an emotional and inevitable finale that’s both thrilling and sad. If it weren’t for the occasional moment where you’re squinting at the screen, wondering who’s holding the camera—or which way is up—this would easily have broken into the 7s. I read some people even got motion sick in theaters, and honestly, I can see why.
Still, Chronicle is one of the rare found-footage films that actually justifies its style. It’s bold, tight, and way more thoughtful than it has any right to be. This is the kind of movie that reminds you how good the format can be when someone actually puts effort into it. So fire up your streamer of choice, dim the lights, and enjoy the ride—just maybe keep a barf bag nearby.
And ladies, if the rumored sequel ever materializes, I’m there day one.
