The film’s inherent contradictions were embraced and utilized with a unique perspective. “Which came first: the chicken or the egg?”—a timeless question that has become a setup for jokes, exploring the relationship between cause and effect. It's an unsolvable problem; what truly shapes who we are – our physical form or our inner selves? Is it genetic inheritance or the environment around us? The Spierig Brothers built their central story around this philosophical puzzle, which might initially confuse even fans of science fiction, but a closer look reveals layers of thematic meaning. A time traveler is sent to 1970s New York with the mission of stopping a terrorist known as the “Fizzle Bomber” from killing many people. I won't discuss certain plot developments, not even hinting at them, because that would spoil this remarkably inventive film. Specifically, I’ll avoid details about the latter portion, including the paradoxical elements surrounding birth and death. This is a science fiction story that truly shines when it focuses on the characters' emotional journeys. It's easy to overlook some of the jarring shifts in tone—from detailed flashbacks to sudden bursts of sci-fi action—and the occasional clumsy explanations (though they are understandable given the complexity of the concept) about how time travel works. Ignore the many surprising turns that seem to undermine the story’s progression toward its ultimate conclusion. Predestination is at its best when it examines what makes us human, the forces that drive our spirits. A key element, though not the only purpose, involves Jane's transition into John, a person identified as intersex. Despite raising transgender issues and appropriately exploring the emotional difficulties involved in such a transformation, it’s presented without feeling unusual or out of place. Like the film itself, this storyline gains significance, making a seemingly unimportant fictional detail into an important concept that resonates with audiences. Snook delivers a compelling performance portraying someone undergoing this process, skillfully blending both masculine and feminine acting qualities. Returning to the initial question, Hawke offers this dilemma to Snook, who simply responds, “The Rooster.” While it’s a humorous reply, it highlights the clever way The Spierig Brothers wove together the narrative. This powerful evolutionary idea creates a sense of inevitable resolution. They cleverly disguised cause and effect within a simple story told vividly in a bar filled with cigarette smoke. As with other complex films, I noticed more subtle clues on a second viewing—the carefully placed hints that the Brothers used to guide viewers toward the predetermined ending. It's remarkably ingenious. The film’s short length meant it could have benefited from more time to establish the narrative groundwork for all of those mind-blowing twists, but The Spierig Brothers challenged genre conventions by pushing a time travel story to its limits. Conventional storytelling boundaries are now limitless, as they address and creatively exploit common issues related to time travel. Intelligence ultimately prevails.

Source on TMDB