The Machine

1994
The Machine
5.4| 1h36m| en| More Info
Released: 28 May 1994 Released
Producted By:
Country: Germany
Budget: 0
Revenue: 0
Official Website:
Synopsis

This deftly made French psychological thriller terrifies with its exploration of an experiment gone horribly wrong. Dr. Marc Lacroix, a psychiatrist specializing in brain functions, is obsessed with the link between mind and spirit. To find his link he studies the criminally insane. He builds a secret machine, known only to his mistress Marianne, in which he hopes to exchange minds between humans. He simultaneously wants to help the mentally ill recover, and he wants to experience their madness. He chooses the psychotic killer, Zyto, a man who stabbed at least three women, for his experiment. The initial experiment is successful and the two exchange minds. But trouble ensues when Zyto refuses to reverse the switch. There is little Marc can do when Zyto takes over Marc's life, and more ominously his wife and child whom are unknowingly in mortal danger. Marc, encased in Zyto's body, is returned to the asylum. Will Marc's wife recognize the danger? Will Zyto kill again?

... View More
Stream Online

The movie is currently not available onine

Director

Producted By

Trailers & Images

Reviews

ccthemovieman-1 This was one of those rare cases in which the opposite occurs: a movie that should have been stupid and hokey but turned out to be well-done and a good thriller. Yes, a very pleasant surprise.A man invents a machine which can switch the inward beings (at least the brain) of two humans so....the doctor winds up being a killer while the killer becomes him, the doctor in actions and thoughts. This "fact" is hidden because the two people still have the old face and body of the person they used to be, so no one else can see the two people have switched "identities.""Anyway.....there is very good suspense in this film as the good guy tries to save his wife and family from being killed by the deranged human. Yeah, I know....it sounds confusing and stupid, but it isn't. The film also boasts a few shocking scenes and twists at the end. Recommended.
kosto A psychiatrist (Gerard Depardieu) and his woman-stabbing patient accidently exchange minds with a machine (the machine) he developed. The maniac overthrows him before the transfer-back process and stays in the body. Now the psychiatrist is locked away in the clinic and the madman is at home with the psychiatrist's wife and child.Queer sounding story but nevertheless a fascinating, exciting "mind-exchange" movie. 8/10
HumanoidOfFlesh ***SPOILERS*** ***SPOILERS*** Those who think that this is the worst film ever made are completely missing the point.I know that "La Machine" has its share of flaws,but it's still exciting and it can be a real gut-puncher at times.Depardieu is excellent in the different personalities he has to affect,the rest of the cast is also splendid.yes,the similarities between this one and overrated John Woo's actioner "Face Off"(I love his Hong Kong stuff,but films he does in Hollywood are pathetic crap,though)are obvious.So is "La Machine" worth watching?Of course yes,but beware:there are two extremely brutal and disturbing knife killings in this film.Especially the last scene when young boy stabs to death his mother is really harrowing.10 out of 10.
cinephil-6 Since the movie was made in 1994, it's difficult to say that the plot was inspired by the brilliant movie "Face Off", made in 1997. Nevertheless, while you're watching the movie, you can't help thinking about the 1997 John Woo movie where the main character trade place with a dangerous killer. In both movies, the "bad guy" ends up sleeping with the "hero"'s wife, he threatens the "hero"'s wife and kid. They also switch lives where the hero ends up in jail (or asylum) and the bad guy enjoy a comfortable life in a beautiful house, next to the hero's wife and kid. "The Machine" doesn't have the juice of "Face Off" because they don't go deeply into everyone's personality and life. It seems like a shallow replicate of the John Woo movie without the special effects and cinematography. Good luck !