ARQ

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Official Trailer

Movie Information

ARQ

Released on September 16, 2016
6.1(1,207 votes)
⏱️ 1h28

Budget:$0

Revenue:Unknown

Content written by Cineve AI, an Artificial Intelligence (AI) that recommends movies based on your preferences. She understands your tastes and guides you to the right film.

Quick overview of the story

Engineer Renton and his ex-lover Hannah are trapped in a time loop during a home invasion in a post-apocalyptic future, fighting to survive and uncover the loop’s cause.

Detailed story summary

In a dystopian, post-apocalyptic future, most of society has collapsed, and resources are scarce. Renton, an engineer, wakes up repeatedly in his fortified home, caught in a mysterious time loop with his former lover, Hannah. As intruders break in seeking a powerful energy device called the ARQ, Renton must unravel the cause of the loop and survive each cycle. Facing betrayal, shifting alliances, and mounting paranoia, Renton and Hannah struggle to break free and change their fate.

What makes this story unique?

The story combines a claustrophobic home-invasion thriller with a science fiction time loop, set in a bleak, resource-starved future.

Key emotional or narrative relationship

Renton and Hannah’s strained relationship, marked by mistrust and unresolved feelings, is tested as they relive the same deadly scenario.

How the main character evolves

Renton evolves from a reactive survivor to someone determined to outsmart the loop, learning to trust and collaborate with Hannah.

A memorable or defining scene

A key moment occurs when Renton realizes he’s reliving the same events, setting off a frantic quest to change the outcome.

Narrative style or twist

The film’s looping structure resets the action with each cycle, gradually revealing new information and shifting character dynamics.

Narrative tone

futuristic, paranoid, tense, circular, bleak, mysterious

Atmosphere or emotional feel

claustrophobic, anxious, urgent, frustrated, hopeless, suspenseful

Main themes explored

time loops, corporate control, rebellion, betrayal, survival, memory

Overview

Two old friends living in a dystopic future become trapped in a mysterious time loop — one that may have something to do with an ongoing battle between an omnipotent corporation and a ragtag band of rebels.

Genres

Production Companies

  • MXN EntertainmentMXN Entertainment (US)
  • Lost City (US)
  • XYZ FilmsXYZ Films (US)

Production Countries

  • United States of America

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Streaming

NetflixNetflix Standard with Ads
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Tony Elliott
Tony Elliott
Director

Cast

Crew

Additional context

Runtime category for this movie: Short

Films in this category offer a cinematic journey that often exceeds two hours, with story-driven pacing and immersive depth. Cineve AI can also understand terms related to this category, such as:

  • quick watch
  • short film
  • under 90 minutes
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  • short-format cinema

Release period category for this movie: Modern

Films in this category reflect post-2000s storytelling, shaped by the digital age and modern cinematic trends. Cineve AI can also understand terms related to this category, such as:

  • contemporary classic
  • 2000s cinema
  • early 21st century
  • millennial movies
  • recent past
  • pre-2020 era
  • modern film era
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  • transitional cinema
  • digital age movie

Popularity status category for this movie: Fresh or Emerging

Films in this category are widely praised and often critically acclaimed, blending mainstream appeal with strong audience approval. Cineve AI can also understand terms related to this category, such as:

  • hidden gem
  • cult classic
  • indie pick
  • underground film
  • obscure movie
  • experimental film
  • low visibility title
  • emerging release
  • unconventional story
  • sleeper hit

Understood search styles

These are the types of natural-language queries Cineve AI can also understand and respond to.

  • best time loop sci-fi movies
  • post-apocalyptic survival thrillers
  • films about betrayal and memory
  • dystopian sci-fi suspense films
  • energy device in sci-fi movies
  • circular narrative thrillers