User reviews

This is such a complicated one. And I guess that is kind of the crux of this movie. It doesn't know what it supposed to be. It is not a movie movie about how the health care system fails mental patients. There are only two scenes about that otherwise it is never mentioned again. Is it not about mental illness either. We see mental illness but it is rather an attempt to show us what it looks like than dealing with it the rational of it. But I won't dare to call it a bad film because Juno Temple and Simon Pegg are absolutely out of this world great. Both in their performances and their chemistry with each other. Temple never ceases to amaze me anyway but I would say this is her best role and it is Peggs best as well. Watch it if you love amazing acting or love Temple and/or Pegg.

It begins well with Juno Temple playing an introverted creative who meets Simon Pegg, an extroverted producer. An interesting friendship begins and the audience is wondering if it will result in success, betrayal or failure. Nice.

She then quickly learns of his mental health problems and Pegg's character does a lightning-fast switcheroo into jumble of weak dialogue and fairly generic 'crazy talk'. This is not to say that people with mental health issues don't often share similar problems (hearing transmissions, grand conspiracy, etc.) but those problems seem to be indulged here for no particular reason. The rest of the movie languishes on his deterioration and we're not entirely sure why Juno's character is the one we're supposed to be following. It then dissolves into various critiques of health and public services, which Juno's character is often reduced to spectating.

The acting is fairly decent throughout, though Pegg feels miscast and struggles with some of the material. He's usually good at sincerity, but feels out of place here (and not in a thematic way).

Despite its agreeable message, it is a movie that lacks a strong story and treats its handful of characters far too gently.

It does not show the failure to provide for people with mental illness, because that isn't discussed and we only see 2 references to it when he's in hospital. The dialogue is garbage, it doesn't even make him look as if he has a metal illness it just makes him look stupid. Simon Pegg was the wrong choice for this anyway as he simply has not got the acting range to carry a role like this off. Juno Temple was the only good thing in the film: she is always awesome in anything she does. I gave it a 4 just for Juno Temple, nothing else in the film deserves a thing.

This is a heartbreaking story about how schizophrenia destroys a man's life. I find the story very engaging, and very real. It is great to see Simon Pegg in a serious role, and he's convincing in it too.

Mostly real performances from Simon Pegg (acting as a scatter-brain with grand creativity). Juno Temple is the most realistic performer but slows the films pace to a crawl. Other actors range essentially play pirates.

If you're a happy, smart person in general you'd find it very hard to associate or connect with the film in any way.

Simon Pegg in a serious role? Well, he aint bad. And Juno Temple of course is a great actress as well. But what we have here are 2 comedy actors, carrying a serious movie. That didnt work out to well.

The bad: lack of genuine, credible drama.

Not any good? It is a worthy and sympathetic attempt at telling a story about mental disorders, which isnt a very popular subject in the movie industry. Perhaps suited for educational viewing? But it isnt gripping or impressive enough that I would dare recommend it.

Better watch "One flew over the Cukoos nest" (1975) instead. That Jack Nicholson classic about mental disorders will blow your mind!

I really wanted to like this, esp after seeing the beginning but then it just went on and on and became annoying. It made no sense whatsoever. Yeah sure Simon has a condition, but how he was able to get Juno intertwined in his messed up condition just didn't add up! Was it love, stupidity or pity? Whatever it was, it made me just hate her more for doing that to herself. Nothing of any real worth in here.

If you know anything about depression or psychosis you'll "get" this. Yes it's not subtle, or heartwarming or a redemption story but that's what makes it feel less Hollywood and more real. Pegg gives a great performance and Juno does well with less showy material. Well worth a viewing 7/10

Normally reviewing a bad movie there's something to get your teeth into, examples of the inanity or sheer woefulness that you can chuckle about. With this though, there's nothing...it's a vapid, frustrating vacuum. There's simply nothing there. Things float briefly into sight...there's Juno Temple! There's Shaun of the Dead! Doesn't he look rough? A snotty Katy Perry style rock star drifts by...Shaun has voices in his head (mental illness, see?). Juno learns to sing a tearjerking song with the lights off because Shaun taught her to. That's it. I paid to stream this, and consider it a waste of money. Shaun and Juno have done far better work, and will again, but this is an aberration.

....then you will relate to this. Shown from the point of view of a woman watching her friend spiral down the cycle of schizophrenia. Juno Temple does an amazing job at showing her confusion at first, then the different stages of trying to get him the help he needs, and sometimes wanting to give up.

Simon Pegg really stands out in this movie, he captures the art of portraying the thoughts that inevitably lead a schizophrenic to going off their meds (anosognosia), the charm they display to make you think it's alright (they can be so damned convincing) and then the absolute random outbursts of hate, violence and/or rambling.

It isn't the most quickpaced movie, but it is a great story. It is hard to fit the entire dimensions of what a relationship with this particular mental illness is like into a movie, but it is definitely a glimpse. And they only touched on it a little, but it is enough to show that there are severe problems in the mental health department in the US. Anyone with a sense of empathy will take something away from this movie.

It is worth noting that the timeline of this can be hard to follow. And it might seem like he is 'suddenly crazy', where in actuality a fair amount of time has passed.

I am however, disappointed that they felt the need to put Alexandra Daddario so much in the forefront. Don't get me wrong, I like her and she did a good job. But her character was not that important. Certainly not enough to put her on the cover. And the confusion of their choice to push her as such a main character in advertising, was distracting.

Summary; A hard story to tell but it is done well by all actors involved. If you like that sort of thing, give it a watch!

Hannah (Juno Temple) is a struggling songwriter working as a receptionist. At a party, she is befriended by record producer Theo Ross (Simon Pegg) who starts working with her. He had stopped taking his pills and is soon suffering a mental breakdown.

Simon Pegg is allowed to stretch his acting legs but this movie needs to do more. First, it needs one more scene of their relationship outside of music at the beginning. In fact, it may work better if she's his daughter or a close relative. I can see her caring about him as a route to music success but this kind of emotional involvement needs more connectivity. The ending with the princess is oddly unreal. There is a scene that is staged in a weird way. I don't believe in it. I end up not liking the ending. This is more compelling as an acting exercise.

Hats off to Katharine for her directorial debut. She did a great job portraying someone with mental illness. The truth is heart breaking and painful to watch. It's moving and upsetting. Great film to raise awareness about mental illness, something that should become a casual topic yet there still is stigma about it. It was nice to see Simon Pegg in a modest and serious role. He was authentic and accurate. Juno Temple was captivating. Her vulnerability and internal life are beautiful to watch.

Simon Pegg is stretching his acting skills here and does a great job. It's a confusing, impact laden fire fight. Which is exactly what a schizophrenic episode is all about. It also does well in showing the love that his friends have. Mental illness like this cannot be objective as everyone's experience is different. Juno Temple does a very muted performance, so does really well as a depressive. You can feel she has so much more life. The drugs oppress that. Adam Driver would possibly have been better suited to the Pegg role but schiz and depression doesn't deal with cliches. It hits everyone. A very good film. Underestimated as it deals with irregular people. It's not a "sandwich" film. Well done to the director. She's nailed the mental illness aspect superbly. It's random remember. It just covers you in a sheet and you have to find that ray of light.

To Simon-Why?....... Dragged me for hours....used homeless as........wow. Why

The plot centers on characters trying to find themselves and cope with the challenges they face in the modern world. The subject matter is relevant, and at some points the film successfully conveys a sense of uncertainty and confusion. However, the film lacks balance: moments of comedy sometimes seem too trite, and serious moments are not deep enough. The actors do a pretty good job in their roles, adding a certain charisma to the characters, but it seems that the chemistry between them is not enough to fully engage emotionally. A movie that may attract the attention of some viewers, but will leave mixed impressions.

If I'm being honest, I had low expectations seeing this movie. I only really watched it because I'm a huge Simon pegg fan, even though the premise was interesting. Oh my God, words cannot describe how in love I am with this movie. I can't explain too much because I don't want to spoil, but the way depression and schizophrenia are portrayed is incredible. One of my close friends (with schizophrenia) who also watched this movie was amazed with how accurate Pegg played the role. The ending left me feeling empty and somehow emotional at the same time. It was heartbreaking for me seeing this movie unfold, and I believe you should absolutely give this movie a try. Theres no harm, and you may like it. :)

This vulnerable and raw story tugged at my heartstrings and brought me to tears as I sat alone in the theater at the LA premiere. The performances were extraordinary, and Katharine's direction brought the story to life beautifully, making me laugh at some moments and weep at others. This role was absolutely made for Simon Pegg; it brought out the intricacy and intimacy of his acting in a jaw-dropping way, and Juno Temple met him head-on with no difficulty. A beautiful and eye-opening journey that portrays mental illness in a true and uncompromising way few films manage to do.

Thoroughly enjoyed Lost Transmissions. Intense subject matter beautifully displayed on screen. Excellent cast and crew, strong script, great pacing - an all around impeccable production. I look forward to seeing future work from this team!

Dangerously bold and vulnerable, A+ honest performances covering a difficult yet relatable subject

I watched this film months ago, and I still think about it almost every day.

It is a heartfelt exploration of mental health that is both sensitive and thought-provoking, offering a fresh perspective on a topic so often misunderstood. A truly bold and innovative piece that challenges the viewer to think and feel deeply.

The performances are heartfelt and genuine. Simon Pegg's role showcases a different side of his acting prowess, proving that he is capable of delivering a powerful performance beyond his usual realm of comedy.

But for me it's Juno Temple's performance that is the real standout, delivering a nuanced portrayal of a woman grappling with the complexities of helping a friend navigate mental illness. Her character's struggle is depicted with sensitivity and depth, offering a unique perspective on mental health that is often overlooked - the struggle of the helper.

Katharine O'Brien's directorial style is both stylishly innovative and empathetic, offering a fresh perspective on mental health through a lens that is both realistic and deeply human. This debut is a testament to her talent as a filmmaker and shows a real commitment to shedding light on important social issues.