Primer (2004)

Synopsis

A group of fledgling inventors discover a complex method to manipulate reality. At first, they successfully game the stock market with it, but the consequences of the invention start to catch up with them.

Watch the trailer

Where to watch

Rent

• Amazon Video
• Apple TV Store
• Google Play Movies
• YouTube

Buy

• Amazon Video
• Apple TV Store
• Google Play Movies
• YouTube

Streaming availability via JustWatch

Cast

• Shane Carruth as Aaron
• David Sullivan as Abe
• Casey Gooden as Robert
• Anand Upadhyaya as Philip
• Carrie Crawford as Kara
• Jay Butler as Metalshop Worker
• John Carruth as Man On Couch #1
• Juan Tapia as Man On Couch #2
• Ashley Warren as Hostess
• Samantha Thomson as Rachel Granger

If you liked Primer, try

• Arrival
• In Time
• Geostorm
• Insurgent
• Source Code
• Click
• Déjà Vu
• RoboCop

BingeNext's take

If you’re into mind-bending science fiction that makes you think long after it’s over, Primer is a great pick. This 2004 film follows a group of young inventors who stumble upon a way to manipulate reality, and their initial success in using it to game the stock market quickly spirals into something much more complicated. It’s a tight, intense thriller with a dramatic edge, running just 77 minutes, so it’s perfect for a night when you want something smart and gripping without a huge time commitment. The cast, including Shane Carruth and David Sullivan, keeps things grounded, which makes the complex ideas feel more real and personal. If you liked movies like Arrival or Source Code, you’ll probably appreciate the way Primer plays with time and consequence, making you piece things together as you watch. It’s a film that rewards close attention and curiosity.