Exploring The Bleak Chaos of THE BUTTERFLY EFFECT

Get 15% off your order at www.buyraycon.com/ryan
Brought to you by Raycon.
Patreon / Discord ► / ryanhollinger
Twitter ► / ryanhollinger
Instagram ► / horrorhollinger
Email ► [e-mail]
ABOUT THE SHOW:
This show celebrates Ryan's love for film, games, art and entertainment through personal retrospective analysis that aims to explore what made them so good.
MUSIC:
Hydra by Huma-Huma
What Could Appear by Puddle of Infinity
Where Are My Clothes by The 129ers
Minor With Cricket by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. creativecommons.org/licenses/...
Artist: audionautix.com/
Intuit256 by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. creativecommons.org/licenses/...
Source: incompetech.com/music/royalty-...
Artist: incompetech.com/

[@RyanHollinger]

*What crazy movie should I cover next?! Comment below!!* ... Also, that's technically a hint about the next video. Get 15% off your order at www.buyraycon.com/ryan

[@schulzbrianr]

The Crazies

[@boobootittleman7299]

I’d love to see you cover Mike Flanagan’s Doctor Sleep or Storm of the Century. Keep up the good work Ryan!

[@jpvielleux]

Session 9? Chasing sleep? Dead birds?

[@axelcordova8262]

Here's my obligatory request for Night in the Woods and Pink Floyd's The Wall.

[@DDfan91]

The Void and the Fear Street movies.

[@lulugu3]

Knowing that Ashton's brother was critically ill and that Ashton attempted suicide as a young teen in order to donate his organs to his brother, gives his performance in this movie much more gravity to me.

[@ZyroShadowPony]

Wait really? Geez thats heavy

[@rickymoen9482]

Holy shit

[@tammichenard1024]

Yeah it was his twin brother.

[@PoptartParasol]

@@tammichenard1024 oh wow, I heard losing a brother as a twin is even more brutal and a-typical from other forms of grief because of how unique and incredibly intimate the relationship between twins are. That must be so incredibly difficult..

[@quaggotoak]

@@PoptartParasol dont worry, ashtons brother michael is still alive and well

[@merricksilverwolf5366]

Whats interesting (and incredibly depressing) to note is, that the previous miscarriages of the mom were most likely also the result of time travel suicide

[@TheEndKing]

Bro, imagine if she learned all this.

[@carterslade8771]

Hoo boy. Shit. That is just legitimately awful.

[@tehCrusix]

And that it's only passed down from father to son, hence the implication of the line being broken with the birth of their daughter at the end of the director's cut

[@howiegruwitz3173]

Yikes

[@noxturne16]

@@tehCrusix oh that makes so much sense now

[@MrMEOLA]

Just realised the ending I grew up thinking was the real ending.. was the directors cut ending 😧

[@gamerman183]

Same wish i had seen the theatrical version first

[@Stroija]

That's the ending I remember as well.

[@Gray963]

same :/

[@pimp_floyd5024]

Same lmao I saw this when I was like 10

[@kozmikoblivion]

yep.

[@tituslafrombois1164]

This is definitely one of those movies where, despite all the flaws, you just have to respect that the filmmakers were absolutely not afraid to GO THERE.

[@lightningmonky7674]

Yeah it's one of my favorite movies cause of that, I've never seen anything like it and haven't seen anything since

[@nonamedoe9264]

If I remember correctly, Evan's mother said she had babies before, but they all died during childbirth. Evan was "the miracle" baby. Combining this info with the director’s cut creates an interesting implication.

[@loreneltriss]

More like depressing as fuck implication((

[@gamewizardthesecond]

Wait... I remember watching the directors cut randomly on TV and never thought about that. Time travel must be somehow genetic seeing as the father also has it and the implication that his unborn brothers and sisters did what they did says that there's not even one, not a single "ok at best" ending Now thats fucked up

[@anotherperson2627]

Oh..oh no

[@jonesjones6279]

Holy crap dude

[@cc4670]

That would've been a more cohesive narrative.

[@FISHYFILMPRODUCTIONS]

This movie changed my life. I was in a very dark place when I watched this. I saw the directors cut. It was like 3-4am. I called my mom, kind of rambling, ugly crying. It is my favorite movie, but I dont think I can ever watch it again.

[@colleenc.9900]

Good for you! You have released all that sad, dark, negative emotion in you. You literally did change. ✌️🤍💫

[@patrickcummins79]

I feel the same about post-rock music

[@Gogettor]

I love this movie

[@badxradxandy]

Hope you are doing well

[@aldebaran_]

Same here. I consider it as one of my all-time favorites yet I’ve never ever (wanted) watched it again since the first couple of times watching it

[@GoreyBits]

I saw this in theaters, and man it bummed me out big time. The alternate ending is even more upsetting.

[@mrcritical6751]

Yeah but I think we all know what “the alternate ending” is, it’s probably the most known thing about the movie

[@bleeneo101]

Sames

[@AlejandroPirchi]

I saw it the first Time with the self-abortion ending without knowing about the other 3 and it made a lot of sense to me, maybe because that cut of the movie also had a few scenes that added foreshadowing to that ending

[@HaienTwitch]

I remember renting this movie thinking it was absolutely great (depressing but great) until the ending came along and ruined the whole movie for me (the final cut version). I was literately so pissed of by the ending that I was standing up and screaming at the screen. Fortunately I had the habit of watching the bonus material on every DVD and blue-ray back in those days so I was able to watch the alternative ending and that managed to save the movie a bit for me again, but the final cut version still leaves a bad taste in my mouth. The story-line of the movie is so bleak anyways so there is no way you can escape with a "happy ending", why not just commit to the tone of your movie and go all the way. It`s the same with movies such as I am Legend were they don`t want the people leaving the cinema seats in a sad state so they opt for a slightly happier ending on the final cut of the movie.

[@highandtight5544]

Yeah I saw this in theaters with my buddies I skated with, definitely didn't do any boarding that day.

[@robertphillips8935]

Director's cut is the most consistent because his mother mentions the stillborns. This implies that the babies before him have experienced entire lives in the same fashion and chose death because it was the only outcome to help those around them. Therefore, Evan must do the same.

[@KingOfShadeEmpire]

It might've been the most consistent but that wouldn't align with the chaos theory: Every single person out of that womb happened to come to the same conclusion? That almost speaks of some kind of predetermination! Also you can see from the final scene of the director's cut that the mother does suffer a lot from his decision. It's just that he's sheltered from experiencing the suffering he brought, so at least in the theatrical ending he spared the most suffering caused by him - except toward himself. For me it's kind of laughable to weigh the suffering of missing out on "one true love" versus all the mental and physical trauma the movie throws at you. It's not like he can't find another person to live with.

[@jakeberry7603]

@@KingOfShadeEmpire But I think there's a "with great power" problem here where he'll always be tempted to change things for the better and can't, or worst case he'll have a child and continue the curse, so like his father had already realized it needs to stop with him. Sure mom's bummed out but it's her 3rd and presumably last stillborn.

[@nickhall7995]

Also because at some point, the time traveler will experience brain death from constant traveling. That final trip had to either end it in the womb or live as a vegetable

[@lightningmonky7674]

TRUE

[@blinkk07]

Ashton Kutcher’s best film.

[@JohnGalt916]

Here here

[@patrickangelobalasa]

Dude Where's My Car is a close second tho 🤣

[@comicgirl267]

I agree. Very underrated film.

[@davekennedy6315]

Its the only decent film he's ever been in.

[@CharlieD.706]

@@davekennedy6315 killers was good

[@coreyridgeway2285]

Mans literally “fetus deletus” himself

[@Shizn0id]

he became An Hero like no other could.

[@LoZander]

@@Shizn0id damn, deep cut meme

[@bepisthescienceman4202]

What a power move

[@JFKHaircut]

'Mans'

[@Average_CoD_Clips]

@@Shizn0id He was An Hero for sure.

[@theblackening9769]

I watched this movie again a few days ago and a subtle but interesting detail I noticed is that the aforementioned "butterfly effect" initially occurs when Evan meets that girl at the bar and she asks him to read her diaries. Such a simple thing, but it went unnoticed several times... a totally remote, random event, made him screw up.

[@sanniekim]

You literally summed up the whole Butterfly Effect Theory with that note! very cleaver.

[@PlayfulFruitLPer]

If I remember didn't she also have a butterfly tattoo?

[@AJegoist]

It's actually hard to believe Ashton Kutcher was so hated at one point that it manage to create unfair backlash to this film. I have nothing but positive memories and opinions of the man from growing up with that 70s show and the occasional news story about his philanthropic work.

[@SomeRandomJackAss]

I think it was solely due to Punk'd.

[@lauriechan1426]

He does great philantropic work. He founded a non profit against child exploitation that does some pretty good job

[@bobvylan7215]

It was because of the snarkiness of Punk’d. He wasn’t in That 70s Show likeable Kelso era at that point. He was just terrorizing other celebrities for views.

[@madsquirrelz276]

Its probably the best thing he's ever done tbh I saw his character as a chapter not Ashton Kutcher

[@casesoutherland4175]

This is honestly my favorite movie of his, besides Open Season. One's an animated slapstick comedy and the other is an intense psychological thriller. It really shows his range, despite mostly acting in comedies!

[@noone8785]

This movie is such a weird trip. Everything about it is a different kind of unexpected.

[@samsquanch1996]

Definitely one of the darkest movies I've ever seen.

[@howiegruwitz3173]

I love this movie and will not watch any other Ashton Kusher work because of that fact.

[@P_steez]

@@howiegruwitz3173 if you love this movie in which Ashton is the lead, why would you not watch his other works

[@dannygreen5477]

It's a crap movie, good idea, horrible writing.

[@theitfactorjameswheezer2852]

@@dannygreen5477 it’s really not but ok lol

[@vettethewarlock5448]

So this movie wasnt just a fever dream I had as a kid, it actually exists?

[@ped3752]

I though i was the only one lmao

[@Lazrael32]

and it has two direct to video sequels! They don't follow the same characters though. I don't think. (though it'd be a heck of a twist if they were all prequels following his mothers other lost babies)

[@adamtherock2008]

It was a pretty big movie for its time. I remember seeing a ton of advertisements for it.

[@omniscientomnipresent5500]

Gave me this impression too ?

[@ladievengeance1577]

@@Lazrael32 whether this is confirmed or not i would love to think of it as such because that'd be so neat ahh

[@collinsmith7078]

I'm convinced this movie was made in an alternate universe. It has an energy that just doesn't feel right.

[@MissMFinDaniels]

I agree but then i have memories of making my grandma rent this for me at blockbusters. Seems like forever ago.

[@lightningmonky7674]

That's what makes it so great, it's original

[@rageinducing8368]

BBL DRIZZY FEELS LIKE THAT FOR ME

[@SuperSeenith]

VASTLY prefer the theatrical ending with the crossing paths on the street, and how bittersweet it is. We're left wondering if he actually recognises her. The director's cut, which AFAIK contains a scene where a literal fortune teller tells Evan he has "no soul", and the infamous suicidal ending, REALLY hits in a far more negative and depressing (to a fault) way. On the DVD I had, on the bonus features, was all the endings available - including an ending where Evan walks past Kayleigh on the street, but turns ands starts a conversation (it was called Happy Sappy Ending). That ending would have been too perfect, as it would have been if he saved everyone and got the perfect outcome. The "two strangers pass on the street" ending was perfect.

[@thebrideofghostface]

Agreed. I'm glad that's the one on tubi (where I watched it) so it's the first and only one I've seen.

[@pettykittyfam]

I loved the movie & the ending ❤

[@ashura9706]

Sappy ending is the best until Kaleigh realizes Evan is the kid who threatened her back then lol. I like the suggestions that they can work out if they had stable childhoods though. Truly the best ending for everyone.

[@wstine79]

I liked this movie. Aside from the premise, it definitely shows that Ashton Kutcher has range outside of the "goofy guy" persona.

[@deanwinchester3356]

I would say most people do in general. The fact that we think people only have 1 side in general is sickening.

[@mollytovxx4181]

@@deanwinchester3356 It's one thing to be a multifaceted human who experiences a wide range of emotions, and it's another to be an actor capable of portraying these varied experiences convincingly to an audience.

[@deanwinchester3356]

@@mollytovxx4181 He played it convincingly to me. Seemed like a 22 year old college kid who has no idea what is happening to his world. Personally I never thought anyone thought Ashton was a bad actor… unlike Kristen Stewart who mumbles and makes distressing noises in every film she makes like Twilight or Jennifer Aniston who plays Rachel in every single movie I’ve ever seen. She even LOOKS the same (that washed out blonde hair).

[@tristantries9211]

@@deanwinchester3356 to be fair to Kirsten Stewart the director wanted her to mumble and make weird noises in Twilight that's what they pictured Bella like. I've only seen her in a few things outside of Twilight but she was notably better. Everyone in Twilight acts like they have razors in their throat that cause them pain whenever they speak lol

[@boobootittleman7299]

The Director’s Cut is so extremely dark & nihilistic. It’s intensely depressing, it’s like if Charlie Kaufman wrote the short story The Sound Of Thunder. Great video Ryan!

[@gamewizardthesecond]

Is that the one where he kills himself?

[@thomasthetankengine3012]

@@gamewizardthesecond fetus deletus

[@toypianos469]

Fetal suicide. Don't do it.

[@howiegruwitz3173]

Gotta be honest. I laughed when I heard the fetus strangles itself.

[@toypianos469]

@@howiegruwitz3173 is it dark, yes? Is it hilarious, absolutely.

[@caramip]

I'm pretty sure that in that final scene, Evan's wearing a St. Christopher's medal. This is kind of amazing since St. Christopher is the patron saint of both traveling (like Evan does through time) & epilepsy (like the seizures Evan has)

[@ThatGuyThai]

Evan's original name was going to be Chris, but Chris Treborn was a little too on the nose. Christ Reborn 😅

[@blacknapalm2131]

*'If I was so special why did you abandon me? Why did you leave me here to rot?'* That scene gave me the feels big time

[@occamsbutterknife9186]

The first time I saw this movie, it was the director's cut. As someone who struggles with depression who sometimes feels that everyone would be better off without me, the ending made me bawl.

[@jackwells8107]

It actually made me kind of happy, because his friends were better off, and he finally got some peace.

[@bacicinvatteneaca]

@@jackwells8107 yeah and as awful as a miscarriage is, it's not as bad as a misery compilation of a lifetime

[@yellowfamilyfunny3065]

@@bacicinvatteneaca his life was comically bad, its the only way that ending even remotely works too

[@agiantporkchop6824]

This whole movie was a wild ride

[@DeCapitanOG]

I always got the impression that he was happy to see his mother dying of cancer because it gave him a selfless excuse to change the time line to one where he doesn't lose his limbs and has to watch everyone around him be happy.

[@ThatGuyThai]

Definitely wasn't happy to see his mother have cancer. He went back to change that and was ok with how life would have been if she was ok.

[@DeCapitanOG]

@@ThatGuyThai he definitely was not okay living as a crippled cuck. He wasn't happy she had cancer, but was very happy at the excuses it afforded him.

[@jamessanders145]

he had tried to fix everything for everyone already, why wouldn't he be alllowed to fix his arms "selfish;y" even if the mom was ok?

[@robnewman5329]

One thing that I never got was, tommy try’s to kill Evan right out of prison right? And evan kills tommy in self defense, so a violent ex con attempts to kill someone straight after he gets out of jail. No jury in the world would convict evan for acting in self defense he never would of gone to prison for that

[@thebrideofghostface]

Idk our system is fucked, shit happens. They either didn't believe his story, Kayleigh testified against him and lied or told the truth hysterically (she seemed very against Evan, so I wouldn't have put that past her in this timeline), or the police saw him on top of the dude killing him and just assumed he was a cold-blooded murderer.

[@badxradxandy]

Exactly

[@starfishandroid]

It was not self defense. Self defense is only Possible when you can’t retreat. He was on top of the other man and killed him while he was incapacitated. Its 100% 2nd Degree murder. Not even Manslaughter. Just another example, if u ever shoot someone in self defense, u can still go to prison if you didnt try to escape first.

[@alienbob5690]

He hadn't gone to trial yet anyway

[@Bunnymafia8150]

@@starfishandroid you’re talking about a rule that only exists in certain states, that’s not a national thing. It’s called the duty to retreat, and it’s honestly kinda stupid. In most states what Evan did would still be self defense

[@lakamokolaka]

Ah yes, Abe Simpson the greatest philosopher to ever live at Shady Oaks Retirement Home

[@RyanHollinger]

Damn right!

[@OhtheSuffering]

“I used to be with it. Then they changed what ‘it’ was. Now what I'm with isn't it, and what's it seems weird and scary to me. It’ll happen to you.” - Abe Simpson, philosopher

[@TeatroGrotesco]

"I tied an onion to my belt, as was the style of the time. " -Abe

[@gatochick14]

I only ever saw the director's cut ending. I think I'd actually have preferred only having seen the theatrical one! The aftermath of killing himself is like, the same montage of the kids growing up stable but then it shows his mom utterly broken in the hospital bed post partum.

[@georgioevans1289]

No, they showed she had a daughter and was happy

[@Checkers1993ify]

Personally, I prefer the theatrical cut's ending. Even though the director's cut's ending might be a better fit for the general nihilism of the movie, I think the theatrical cut makes more sense from a character growth perspective. Evan killing himself in the womb kinda comes off as a childish "Well, if I can't have it my way, I'll just end it all" kind of thing, while putting his efforts to "fix" Kayleigh's life behind him shows that he's willing to move on with his life, even if it means having a future he wouldn't have preferred. Plus, it also shows there's more than one way to dodge the family curse. Evan's father and his older siblings all tried to "fix" the past but ended up dying (or hospitalised, depending on the timeline) in the effort. Evan choosing the ending in the theatrical cut shows that it's possible for someone to have this power, but also have a good life in spite of it. Ironically, it's also probably the best outcome presented. Even though nobody gets a "happily ever after" in this cut, they also had happier, more stable childhoods and were better able to build a happily ever after for themselves. Maybe Kayleigh doesn't end up with Evan or Lenny, but all three could find relationships that they'd find equally satisfying and fulfilling over the long term. I tend to be of the opinion that this is much more consistent with how Evan was presented early on in the film when he's first in college. He's presented as being a highly intelligent, relatively stable guy. Someone like that would probably realise that this kind of ending is the best possible outcome for him, especially after four or five loops.

[@edisonlima4647]

@@Checkers1993ify I agree. Suicide seems the wrong kind of bleak ending for the story they created up to that point. Not to mention the fact that the lineage having to end with him to prevent further time traveling chaos could be achieved with, you know, a vasectomy. He could adopt a child if he felt fatherly afterwards.

[@Average_CoD_Clips]

“What the f*#% is this!?” Best line in the entire movie, perhaps AK’s best line ever. I know it’s supposed to be tragic, but it’s just so damn funny.

[@youtubesucks1111]

Nah Ashton's best line will always be "Dude, where's my car?"

[@drakesavory2019]

Regarding the Director's Cut ending. Evan's mom called him her "Miracle Child" since all of her earlier children died in utero implying this story line has happened to all of her children.

[@danderson8431]

I was strangely obsessed with this movie when I was in college. I even did a project centered around it…..I was also obsessed with “Donnie Darko”, “Requiem for a Dream”, & “Final Destination” so it makes sense now. I absolutely LOVED the misery porn of the 00’s. (I also worked at Blockbuster and went to film school so I was one of “those people”)

[@katherineminor3402]

You should look into Mr. Nobody.

[@psicogames5509]

Yeah, I was a depressed and anxious teen, and I loved/love these.

[@deanwinchester3356]

Misery porn. That’s a good term. I liked many of those movies you mentioned too. Also “Girl Interrupted”, “Cruel Intentions” and “Thirteen”. All those dark movies from the late 90’s and early 2000’s.

[@OtherDalfite]

I also gained a strange obsession with the misery porn style movies like this. Something about them is super addictive, though depressing.

[@danderson8431]

@@deanwinchester3356 ….I’ve seen them all. My favorite is “The Cure” about two best friends who go in the search for the cure for AIDS, when one of them catches it. The other boy is abused too for good measure.

[@xoutofstep]

this movie had a deep impact on my 10 year old brain.

[@Sin10el]

Lol, same!

[@joshjoness]

@@Sin10el bro wtf same

[@carolyingfa]

I was 10/11 when I watched it too and all I could think was why they didn't try to know each other at the ending. Was I too dumb or my brain was just trying to save me the trauma? 😭,😭😭

[@billassburger6854]

ya i thot all the dark nd deperssin stuff was like the kewlist thing i had ever seen

[@VoidingTheContract]

Same bro, I caught it on TV late at night and it made me hella sad, but still one of my favorite films ever.

[@reid3031]

Honestly the most brutal part of the director's cut ending is the mom screaming "NOT AGAIN". This horrible cursed life was done three times before. He was just the fourth one. Absolutely horrendous.

[@Music34897]

Director's Cut Hot Take: the ending is more narratively satisfying and that's *The Problem* lol

[@charlottemartyr]

I get what you mean. The ending is so overwhelmingly depressing that you don’t *WANT* it to be the one that fits better but when you actually think about it it does fit better with both the themes and tone of the movie as a whole. It kinda reminds me of a much more serious version of little shop of horrors where the original ending that actually fit the plot involved the world being taken over but people were so upset by it that it was changed to give a bittersweet ending instead, despite the original being the better ending for the story.

[@emilyfaraday4968]

Eh I disagree. The theatrical ending was a satisfying bookend to a story that never should have been (the characters lives the way they originally played out). The directors cut was little too... silly imo. It didn't have a sad reality of the theatrical one - the sad reality of life that was consistent throughout the film - and just took me out of it as it verged on the ludicrous. But hey, we see things differently and that''s cool. Still an awesome film.

[@BlindCrow]

This movie is on my 'never to rewatch' list, despite being pretty good in my opinion. The scene with the dog messed me up so badly as a teenager that I never really got over it. Misery Porn is an apt description of the helplessness I felt while watching it. Thanks for the, as always, fantastic analysis!

[@theitfactorjameswheezer2852]

I think precious is the most misery porn movie ever

[@Cazz8203]

Really? A fucking dog? Are you insane? A mother holding her baby was blown up.

[@BlindCrow]

@@Cazz8203 if the movie had focused on that scene with horrible detail it might have bothered me more. Being blown up seems like a quicker death than being burned alive? Just my opinion though bro, you feel them feelings.

[@makesmewannadie647]

@@Cazz8203 people empathize differently. I personally feel more pity towards dogs than humans. Get over it

[@animalsarebeautifulpeople3094]

Please watch DOMINION on youtube. If you care about animals at all there is something you can do other than just being traumatized by fictional violence against them.

[@harrisonlee9585]

We all know a guy who thinks they're a time-traveling Jesus.

[@AdmiralAwsm]

I went to school with a guy that thought he was Mussolini reincarnated.

[@harrisonlee9585]

@@AdmiralAwsm I hope you always greeted him with "How's it hanging".

[@LABOUMDECADANCE]

How dare thee question my existence!

[@theflashgordon193]

@@AdmiralAwsm did he feel guilty for it ?

[@howiegruwitz3173]

Christianity is the biggest cult with no actual cult leader.

[@klaybird1]

I think the reasoning behind the hand stabbing bit and why the inmate “remembers” is because evan was in the same timeline except this time he has holes in his hands. That’s why the inmate doesn’t really remember but is watching in real time what is happening in the present. He witnesses the holes being formed in evan hands because it was such a minor event in the timeline that it just changes in real time.

[@ufazig]

That was my theory as well. Small changes without "butterfly effects" aren't enough to change the timeline. So whatever it changes, it does so in real time. But the movie didn't properly establish that, so...

[@Hoganply]

@@ufazig The whole point of the butterfly effect is that even the smallest changes have big consequences. The movie just broke it's own rules because it needed to for the scene to happen. Edit: For what happened to occur, his physical body would need to be able to transgress timelines, which wasn't set up, or acknowledged.

[@ufazig]

@@Hoganply Yes. But I think realistically, the movie would create more issues trying to explain why a small change (such as the cigarette scar) would cause major changes. However, the scene in question would absolutely not be a small change. He stopped in the middle of the classroom and destroyed his hand. So yeah, that scene is an issue.

[@jakkul26]

Yeah I think that's what they wanted us to think but it was a cheap way to further the plot. I much prefer the impact of the idea that he has this amazing ability and no way to show it to others or prove it because he creates a different future with every change.

[@Zombiesfallbeforeme]

Even if you go with that theory, that means the timelines would be unchanged, except for the fact that he had scars on his hands since childhood. Thus he had scars when he went into the prison in this time-line, so nothing changed in that gaurds perspective

[@zombreon6021]

This reminds me of the episode "It's a wishful life" from the Fairly Odd Parents. He realizes everyone would actually be better off if he never existed

[@cupofcait]

We watched this on a bus on an 8th grade field trip a year after this came out and the parents agreed because they thought it was an Ashton Kutcher comedy. Everyone was horrified to say the least.

[@rafaelcomfsemph]

oh my good hahahahahahahahahahahhaha

[@lynn4840]

oh fuck lmao

[@charlottemartyr]

This reminds me of being on a trip with the school band where the parents got to pick a movie for the bus and chose Black Swan bc they erroneously thought it was just one of those dance/athletic movies that were really popular with preteen girls at the time

[@OtherDalfite]

God damn, what an awesome experience that must have been. To go through this movie with an entire group of people all at once

[@thebrideofghostface]

Oh my god that's both funny and traumatizing

[@x217xwebb]

This is probably one of my favorite movies of all time. It invokes emotions in myself that are hard to understand. But as a person who made horrible decisions as an kid, and then eventually grew up to be a father and all around good person the theatrical ending reminds me i dont have to feel guilt about my past and that as long as i move forward with good intentions ill always be doing my best.

[@inconel7185]

Subject warning *LITERALLY EVERYTHING* Can't say you're wrong

[@nope5657]

As a teen this film rocked my world. It felt more grown up and mature than most of the other horror/supernatural films I was engaging in. Now the melodrama of it all can swerve into unintentional comedy, as the video stated. But I still find the film ambitious and earnest in its goals. In a lot of ways it's head and shoulders above most other genre films of its time. It's a bit goofy now, but I subscribe to the notion that I'd much rather watch and interest film that doesn't quite stick the landing than a well made bore.

[@unknownflickz1289]

Loved this movie, such a underrated film that tackles subjects that a lot of movies nowadays dont, dont understand why people didn't like it

[@unknownflickz1289]

@kshamwhizzle oh yea that would be a reason why, although maybe some didnt like some parts of it which i understand, there are some flaws but i mainly think it was ahead of its time and had actors that were probably typecast like you are saying

[@Lyndiloo]

Because it's 153 minutes of misery that doesn't have a happy ending. Additionally, the director's cut is the version that made the rounds on movie pirating sites, so a lot of people saw the most batshit insane ending that wasn't satisfying at all.

[@unknownflickz1289]

@@Lyndiloo 153 minutes? Not even close to the actual runtime its less than 2 hours also that ending may not have been satisfying in that sense it made sense considering how he wasnt even supposed to exist. People complain about endings being too happy but then get mad when theres an ending thats brutal and sad

[@Tannerj50]

@kshamwhizzle amy smart wasn't in eurotrip , you're thinking of the movie road trip

[@theitfactorjameswheezer2852]

@@unknownflickz1289 the theatrical ending isn’t even bad it’s just bittersweet.

[@x217xwebb]

This movie directly changed my life. After seeing the torment Tommy caused to people made me stop being a bully in school. Seeing how making small changes caused him to be religious and a nice guy struck such a chord with me. I didn't become religious but I did start to develop empathy and this movie will always hold an incredibly special place in my heart.

[@mattcastillo9211]

One of the saddest movies of my childhood. However, it really taught me an important life lesson…you can’t change the past. That has still stuck with me to this day.

[@holly-vg1iz]

Yes, YES! I had hoped for so long some horror/movie channel would talk about The Butterfly Effect eventually! It's been forever since I watched the movie, but it left such a deep impression on me. Still unsettles me to this day.

[@Lundcraft]

For years I thought the director's cut was the normal ending, because the dvd I owned as a teenager, didnt say director's cut. That might have something to do with it being the EU release, not sure.

[@amberberezanski4335]

Same!

[@EmeraldAshesAudio]

I wonder if this was true for all the DVDs? I didn't watch this movie, but someone I knew did and described it to me after. She definitely mentioned the "strangled self in womb" thing, and she definitely wasn't the type to watch alternate endings.

[@mcdadais]

I'm in the US and that's the ending I saw as well. I don't remember if I saw it on some station or I got the DVD but this is the ending I always remember.

[@bubblegum1366]

@@EmeraldAshesAudio In the US version of the DVD that was definitely the ending that played by default, and you had to watch the others in the menu. I had this when I was like 10/11 and watched it multiple times and didn't even know there WERE other endings than the suicide one.

[@KevinRAAMAAAGE]

Ashton Kutcher has had some unspeakable things happen to him, and now he's busting people doing unspeakable things. I think he did a good job. This movie made me so fucking upset as a kid, so much so Akira was a pallette cleanser. Like it boogles my mind he found his gf murdered the on the floor

[@makinnak3010]

This movie is better than people give it credit for. The side characters completely changing after each time jump is done well. Watching Ashton's character fall deeper and deeper into a void with no escape (well one escape in the extended cut) and given the time travel plots flow well into each other.

[@PhoenixFireKMS]

I literally just watched this movie for the first time yesterday, perfect timing!

[@onionslayer8119]

One of my favorite movies

[@SxTxferlife]

Bro no way same here

[@ChakasCave]

whats it on right now?

[@PhoenixFireKMS]

@@ChakasCave nah, I’m home quarantining and am working through my dad’s collection of DVDs

[@jxomxo]

Me: not having a good day :( Ryan: *uploads* Me: now having a good day :)

[@RyanHollinger]

Yey!

[@colleenc.9900]

Awe! That was really sweet (no sarcasm) I’m so tired of people not wanting to give or not know how to give an old fashioned compliment ✌️🤍💫

[@Hoganply]

You: watch video (on The Butterfly Effect) Subsequently you: not having a good day :( jk

[@nu-metalfan2654]

This was Ashton Kutchers best performance by a mile.

[@AntonioGee]

This movie is extremely bleak, but intriguing throughout. I've always liked this movie, even as dark as it is.

[@katherinealvarez9216]

8:25 yes. I hate that. For me, every time travel story is going to have a plothole (a legitimate one, not some nitpicking bs) because no matter how meticulous the rules are, they’re gonna be broken for the story’s sake. So it comes down to how well time travel serves the story and how it’s handled.

[@SusieNation]

I think Ryan could make a solid case for just about anything and I’d give it a chance.

[@loreneltriss]

I was too young when I’ve watched this movie for the first time. And as an added bonus it was Director’s cut. And I was smartdumb enough to understand that all MC’s mom miscarriages probably were her children who lived but chose to go back and die. TRAUMATISED!

[@TheSwordfish009]

"Every time I try to help someone, everything goes to shit." My life in a nutshell....

[@lunarmagpie619]

5th timeline, as a wheelchair user, was such a hamfisted attempt at depicting us that it horseshoed right around into unintentional high comedy. That’s not to say that this is a bad movie, frankly it’s one of my guilty pleasures, but damn it’s so funny to watch.

[@RyanHollinger]

His reaction to discovering this says it all frankly. I wanted to navigate that timeline as carefully as possible because there’s some stuff in there that sends very mixed messages.

[@lunarmagpie619]

@@RyanHollinger Just my two cents, but I thought you handled the whole bit fantastically.

[@DeCapitanOG]

@Jackie Nova sounds like you didn't like the reflection.

[@b3rdlala]

@Jackie Nova if we accept what his dad says, in that he and his bloodline cause misery in the lives of those they love, then the fifth sequences can't be the best outcome. That can only be the theatrical ending since everyone is happy, his friends live fulfilling lives and his mother gets the child she's always wanted, and he has to live with knowing the isolating truth.

[@b3rdlala]

@Jackie Nova also, he didn't just lose his him, his mom lost her life so there's that...

[@PoeticProse7]

There is a stronger word than depressing for this movie, it is hopelessly disconsolate. BTW, did you know that the origin of our concept of the 'butterfly effect' comes from a Bradbury short story titled 'A Sound of Thunder'? It predates Lorenz's model by 8 years!

[@despacoto8874]

Yeah, that's actually how I first discovered the term.

[@WhtMike2006]

I've never heard the term disconsolate before, but it definitely sounds like a stronger word than depressing. This movie is definitely that. I remember seeing it in college and thinking it was one of the most bleak mainstream Hollywood films I'd ever seen.

[@magencrisis1682]

What a king. I need to read more of Ray Bradbury stuff.

[@whitedragoness23]

The sound of Thunder was about consequences even if the outcome is bleak. This, sounds like it wanted to be just plain misery and reason to off yourself because your just not happy and it’s because of a family curse

[@charlottemartyr]

Ray Bradbury kicks ass at writing existentially bleak stories. The other day somebody asked me what I thought would be the scariest way to go and I said “drifting off into space” and they immediately recommended “kaleidoscope”. His stories are so bleak and terrifying in that slow, quiet way that I literally can’t get enough of.

[@4422shini]

Fun fact. That scene between the two bridges where they're burning all of Evan's memorabilia? My work office is 50 feet to the left. It's a wacky industrial area but also full of wildlife.

[@carhawara3394]

This movie was/is a classic for me in the stage of Donnie Darko, 2001 and other all time classics! Also it seems so be the best portrait of time travel, with the thousand changes with one little change from him and also that he is not time traveling with his body but rather his consiousness

[@ReallyGoodandKind]

I like that you’ve leaned into the However thing. It’s shows great maturity

[@joshj1953]

No, it shows that he understands fan service

[@fasola183]

I remember watching this when I was 10 and crying my eyes out at the ending. This movie impacted me so much, it was one of my favorites. Not sure if it has aged well but hey it has a huge soft spot in my heart

[@alicedubois1348]

That part in the movie when the dog dies in the bag, really stuck with me. I was a 17 year old teenager when I saw the movie, and I still remember it as if it was yesterday. That may be the only serious part of the movie that I may never forget.

[@Davidvanzutphen]

yes, it was so disturbing to see the sack moving with the idea of the dog going to be burned alive.

[@F66x]

The Director's Cut ending is so edgy it's almost comical. (Miscarriage is awful but it's the execution with the aged cgi and the thought of a fetus with literal sentience that did it mostly.)

[@mariamorn]

My brother was absolutely obsessed with this movie when we were younger. I personally didn't care all too much for it (and I'm also someone who suffers from the like issue of "try to convince me to watch/read/play something too many times and it will just make me not want to bother") but it wasn't until recently that I actively started like. Appreciating some bits of the film. ... Although the Director's Cut ending is still probably the most depressing thing I've seen since Requiem for a Dream's ending. And I say this as someone who actively likes The VVitch.

[@SgtNicholasAngle]

I guess it depends how you interpret the ending of the VVitch, you could see it as a happy ending

[@Psyteth]

@@SgtNicholasAngle agreed.

[@mariamorn]

​@@SgtNicholasAngle Oh of course, of course! I personally consider The VVitch's ending to be more bittersweet with a heavy emphasis on "bitter" considering the shit Thomasin went through only to become part of the coven responsible for her family's steady decline. (Although I still consider her father's stubborn pride to be the main reasoning.)

[@khdo12346]

Coincidentally, I revisited this movie last week and one part I did not remember was how... edgy it felt. It gets to a point where the universe is just rubbing it in on them.

[@Sab_MJsMama]

You say "edgy" I say "dark". I don't gave a problem with "dark" movies. If anything I prefer them BUT this one I saw once. Even now, its something I don't chose to revisit. And I've seen Hereditary, Irreversible, etc. and other such movies multiple times. It just resonates on a certain psychological level that is super uncomfortable along with the traumatic events.

[@edisonlima4647]

yeah, it gets so comically sad that it becomes what is called "grimdark". I guess that's why I could never feel like this was actually a sad story, because so much suffering porn becomes a bit ridiculous. As a 1970's comedian used to say: "It's not just overdramatic writing. Those characters suffer in bold letters and cry in italic". It turns itself almost into the first half of a Mexican telenovella.

[@Davidvanzutphen]

@@edisonlima4647 Well, you haven't experienced this much depressing events in your life probably. I disagree with you, as I know suffering after suffering happens for some people and isn't illogical.

[@gabymerman9005]

@@Davidvanzutphen I absolutely agree. What makes me uncomfortable is contempt from people who find ridiculous and unbelievable hellish spirals life can put some people through. And let's not forget that he basically lives five lives, not all the bad happens on the same timeline. Apparently some people don't know what tragedies are, or just don't pay attention to what's around. Good for us.

[@brennonbrunet6330]

Maybe it was due to my being a young man when I watched this film in the theatres, but I absolutely loved this movie. I remember watching it several times after it came out and not understanding all the hate for it. I thought Kutcher did a pretty damn good job in this movie, and the premise and execution of it blew my mind and left me thinking about this movie for a long long time. And as I come to the end of this video I just realized... Kutcher's blackouts were him time travelling into his younger self.... so does that mean that all of his changes to the timeline were predestined? I mean, he blacked out before he time travelled, and the fact that those blackouts still happened in all timelines leaves me with an even more hollow feeling. Kutcher's character is tormented by his own decisions, but if he was always destined to time travel and meddle, does that mean that none of his choices were his own?

[@JustinEvitable80]

In the director's cut there was an added scene where Andrea tells Evan she was pregnant twice before Evan but they died the same way Evan does later on. Makes you realize that they also screwed up their lives with this curse and had no other option but to do the same thing.

[@wstine79]

A product recommendation from Ryan Hollinger has more value over Snoop Dogg's.

[@rebeccahaynes9386]

Truth. One of the only times I used a KZbin discount code and I do like my Raycons. Granted, I’m old and they’re my first wireless headphones, so I may just be enamored with what, to me, are rather newfangled contraptions.

[@Lariat_V]

Either way they're both paid promotion

[@Pewpewpew182]

Amazing film, seriously underrated. Ashton deserves credit for this role.

[@regularshowman3208]

Honestly, at least going off of this video, the theatrical ending feels better to me. Like sure the director's cut is more thematically fitting, but first of all him strangling himself with his umbilical cord is honestly kind of hilarious, and also I just feel like a bittersweet ending to round out all the suffering just feels right. Like, sure, it's not a fairy tale ending, a movie like this couldn't have one, but it's a good way to unwind from the madness and come away with something positive.

[@theallaroundnerd9889]

I think Kutcher is a fine actor. People were just pissed because he went from the main comedy relief in That 70s Show, to films where he wanted to be more than just a comedy actor. Which is fine. Like, Kutcher pretty much stuck with comedy films and shows after this, but not many can say they went out the typecssting.

[@arnabmandal9194]

now i am waiting for your Donnie Darko video essay

[@RyanHollinger]

I've been saying this for the last 5 years... one day it'll be ready!

[@rustlingclock0234]

9:10 that literally is what the butterfly affect is about. Small actions can have massive affects or little to none at all.

[@comicgirl267]

I saw this for the first time as a kid. My sister showed me the alternate ending first, which was truly devastating to see as a kid and you reminding me of it was just as painful and heartbreaking as when I first saw it. I definitely prefer the theatrical ending where everyone is able to live a relatively happy life because he and the girl don’t become friends. Very underrated film.

[@imabott7053]

I love the director's cut. His mom says, he was her miracle baby, and the fact he killed himself (as a self-aware, time traveling baby), suggests, that all of his prior siblings went through the same experiences. It is dark and unique. Amy and Ashton (whats their names) did a fine job, but this movie would have crushed, if they used better, and less known actors. (in my opinion)

[@selftaughtinfection]

oh wow, I didn't even think about the other babies and the potential they did the same thing!

[@theitfactorjameswheezer2852]

Movies with less known actors are usually shitty and uncharismatic . Don’t understand this logic

[@theitfactorjameswheezer2852]

This movie Would’ve Worked With Tobey Maguire And maybe a Rachel Mcadams Type. Not that the movie is bad, but both are much stronger actors

[@goreman7160]

@@theitfactorjameswheezer2852 nah tobey is too soft spoken and kind for this kind of role. I think ashton nailed it

[@EBurns91]

I love the power move of just using Abe Simpson to explain chaos theory

[@inklingofadream]

I feel like the director's cut ending would play better if he was going back to when he was an infant or toddler. The concept of strangling himself with his umbilical cord is just. Super campy in a way that doesn't fit. Especially the way it's shot, good lord. (Also, like. generally if they see a baby that close to due date having an emergency they'd try for an emergency delivery. Strangling someone takes a long time! Although I do love the one nurse who just looks incredibly done with the whole thing. "Yeah, today I saw a kid strangle himself on the ultrasound. I'm finding another career")

[@faeb.9618]

i feel like it should also be harder to strangle someone if they're immersed in any sort of liquid? i mean i nearly failed physics in high school but shouldn't the water create resistance or something that would actively make it harder? it just feels so weird

[@Bane_Amesta]

My brother was almost strangled by his own umbilical cord, but the doctors didn't knew and he was born naturally, instead of a c-section which would probably be the best emercency option. My mom says the doctor literally took the newborn baby, and unraveled the cord out of his throat. Poor boy has his whole head purple for a few days after that :( But the movie clearly didn't do this fetus deletus very well, since a baby so close to due has not enough space to do that at all XD Fae B. yeah, the baby probably can't die because of suffocation as we understand the term, but most probably by the cord itself, since the lungs don't really work until the baby is born, the cord itself is what transports the oxygen and nutrients. I think a good comparison would be putting your feet on a hose with water running. The other side of the hose will dry and then voilà... Probably

[@faeb.9618]

@@Bane_Amesta oooo i see, that makes so much sense. and makes the movie have even less sense in hindsight i think. but i guess they just didn't do their homework and went 'y'know what a baby suicide in the womb would be such a powerful horror image'

[@GiulianaBruna]

@@faeb.9618I think it would be equally edgy as a baby but I assume anyway of a baby killing himself would show the mom as uncaring. Like, it's not a quick thing to do, dangerous things are not left at their hand reach level.

[@laurafletcher1060]

As much as I agree with this because the scene (although a clever ending) was really cringey to watch, I feel like the whole 'death in the womb' thing ties it all together best. The mother says about how she had numerous miscarriages before Evan came to be, which indicates this could potentially have happened before to his siblings with the same genes and ability to change their fates 🤔

[@pingpong5877]

I was obsessed with this film when I was an edgy pre-teen.

[@Stevofaves]

Angsty 2000s teen: Everything would be better if I was DEAD Donnie Darko & Butterfly Effect: Yes

[@lawrencelord9777]

Essentially

[@LorcantheHedgehog]

The moment i saw this, i was waiting for the Simpsons clip to play. Safe to say, i'm not disappointed

[@RyanHollinger]

Literally the first thing that came to mind making this video!

[@ReverendMeat51]

I'm disappointed, I was hoping for the Ian Malcolm quote

[@shanevanmatre3603]

Easily my favorite performance by Ashton Kutcher. I wish he’d take on more roles like this.

[@mickeydill3608]

As always, great job on this video essay. From the content to the editing and sound mixing, everything draws my attention and depeens my thinking on the subject. 🙌🏾🙌🏾

[@labyrinthgirl17]

Yes, I have wanted to go back in time and change one thing - my mom dying from cancer. I don't know what would happen to me or how my life would be different now, but to prevent her from suffering all that pain and getting to live longer, would be enough for me.

[@jonlosius7939]

I hate how he ended up in jail. He was defending himself. Either he bashed the chick’s brother’s head in like he’s the fucking Doom Slayer, or he would get his own head bashed in. He must’ve had a public defender in court.

[@bacicinvatteneaca]

I don't know where you are, but over here in italy we have "excess of legitimate self defense", to ensure people can't just stage a self defense scenario and do anything unpunished, or use an actual assault as an excuse to carry out a premeditated murder

[@sartanko]

@@bacicinvatteneaca And in the U.S they have stand your ground law and castle doctrine.

[@wafflesmcgallagher934]

@@sartanko that's not what that means lol

[@FirstNameLastName-ug7rp]

@@wafflesmcgallagher934 lol actually, the stand your ground law would ABSOLUTELY cover that scenario. Please educate yourself.

[@wafflesmcgallagher934]

@@FirstNameLastName-ug7rp yes but also no. You have a right to protect yourself if you have a legal right to be there without need to flee. What you DON'T have the right to do is take the weapon FROM your assailant, subdue your assailant and then murder your assailant. You literally know nothing.

[@95mudshovel]

I've waited SO long for you to do this movie!!!

[@motxmod]

While I haven't seen the theatrical cut, there were moments prior to the time travel that hinted at the director's cut ending such as the fortune teller saying Evan doesn't have a lifeline and his mother having had miscarriages prior. I'm uncertain if the fortune teller was in the theatrical cut.

[@133774c05]

She wasn't, I've seen both and the director's cut has those two extra scenes in it.

[@thelive6103]

Im happy you did a video on this movie. I saw this as a teen and i couldnt stop thinking about it. I thought and still think its one of the most underrated movies ever. It got shit on by critics.

[@Natali_Talis.Library]

Ive only ever seen the ending of him unaliving in the womb, and thought that was the only ending! I missed out on some almost happy endings!

[@jaguarenduda]

SPOILER WARNING as a kid I always wondered why he didn’t re-do the things that landed him in the timeline where he lost his limbs but just, you know, didn’t run into the exploding mail box

[@chuckielover06]

Or go back to the timeline where he kills dude and... you know... not kill him.

[@pyjamacritic1171]

Because in the timeline he created he never wrote the journal entry due to being in ICU so no longer had a means to revisit that moment.

[@jaguarenduda]

@@pyjamacritic1171 yes he did, idk how he wrote without hands but he managed to leave that timeline which means he had the journals somehow. the only one where they didn’t exist was the last one

[@pyjamacritic1171]

@@jaguarenduda He had the journals, just not the the entry about the mailbox, that's why he had to go to an earlier point and try and destroy the dynamite. Maybe he picked up the journal later by narrating them to Tommy but there would still be a gap during his recovery period. Though this does raise another question. If he wrote about an incident from memory, weeks or even years later, would that work the same way as his regular diary entries? In which case he could go to any point in his life simply by writing about it and then proofreading his work.

[@jamez6398]

Why yes, the extreme and depressing content is why I love both The Butterfly Effect and Requiem for a Dream. The more emotionally intense and the more intense the violence and disturbing content, the better. I like my films hard hitting, fast paced, and extreme.

[@jakerose9109]

Thank you for this one Ryan. I struggle with mental illness, and this one resonated with me on a deep level. I appreciate you and the effort you put into your work. I look forward to the next one.

[@beyney4727]

If you are interested in good and dark time travel media, I can suggest the german series "Dark". It explores the concept of time travelling in depth with loops of consequences and their origins while generally adopting a rather dark tone overall.

[@bast4rdlyreaper]

The butterfly effect is literally my favorite movie. It's one of the few time traveling plots that don't break their own rules. I like both endings, and they were just the fickle luck of the draw with his earliest recorded memories.

[@Sin10el]

This movie fascinated me as a teen. I watched it with my mother and then immediately re-watched it alone. Also, the use of the Jimmy Eat World song "Hear you me" was just perfect.

[@RPJ412]

This honestly might be your best video yet, impeccable breakdown.

[@RiniUsagi]

Ah yes, a movie I definitely shouldn’t have watched as a child but was allowed to watch anyway.... especially since animal violence really did (and still does lol) trigger intense panic attack responses in me.

[@LoZander]

I'm sorry to hear that

[@chicotheworld9763]

Fr

[@BZgA]

Animal violence is always the worst

[@RiniUsagi]

@@BZgA and most of the time it feels so unneeded, too. I found a website a long time ago that tracks that sort of stuff in TV and movies to warn you if an animal dies before you watch something so you can skip it and it's saved me a lot of trouble.

[@BZgA]

@@RiniUsagi that is awesome! Mostly its used to show that characters are extremely cruel or as a trick to make the audience hate a certain character. And they rightfully do so.

[@LouDeppDepp]

This movie is just the depressing version of Bedazzled

[@RYONAC0RE]

i saw this movie in my senior year english class and i loved it, it made me cried and i adored ashton kutcher's performance in this movie. this movie is one that tears your soul out that you enjoy but you never wanna watch it again.

[@bjedo3]

Like the older dude in No Country For Old Men says, “It ain’t all waiting on you. That’s vanity”