Hypnotic: A Journey Through the Labyrinth of Reality with Ben Affleck.

Luck is an elusive concept, often confused with mere chance. However, what many call being fortunate may actually be the reflection of the decisions we make. Nassim Nicholas Taleb, in his works Fooled by Randomness and the iconic The Black Swan, reveals the intricate dynamics of uncertainty and destiny that weave our paths. Let's look at Ben Affleck: a guy who, for some, has reached the pinnacle of good fortune, but for others, is simply a master of decisions.

Affleck has left an important mark on the seventh art, acting in Kevin Smith's films, an independent director who reinvented low-budget cinema. Alongside his friend Matt Damon, he won an Oscar as a screenwriter, an achievement that speaks to his talent beyond acting. His role in Argo not only earned him great recognition but also demonstrated his ability to create magic on screen. And let's not forget his impactful performance in Gone Girl, directed by David Fincher, where he explored deep layers of emotional complexity.

If this doesn't seem enough to you, Affleck has had romances with two Jennifers: Gardner and López. There we have another trait of his fun and enigmatic personal novel: decisions that have put him in the headlines, increasing his public spark. Damn it, Ben! And in the comics realm, he made his debut as the "man without fear", Daredevil and the iconic Batman. Many dream of being superheroes; he has lived the dream twice in grand style.

However, I cannot claim that Affleck is an exceptional actor without discussion. Cinema history has Michael Keaton and Christian Bale offering Batman interpretations that have marked us. Affleck's version, although not ceasing to be interesting, has its ups and downs. Daredevil, despite its entertaining narrative, did not manage to reach the pinnacle of production excellence. While he and Garner added a shine to their interpretation, villains like Kingpin and Bullseye failed to become memorable.

The comic universe is vast, and Frank Miller, a genius in this world, has delineated iconic stories that have endured over time, for characters like the aforementioned Daredevil and Batman. His influence on recent productions is undeniable, and we well know that many ideas that now give life to the screen come from his pen.

What about Sin City? A masterpiece by Miller brought to the screen by Robert Rodriguez, a director who has challenged cinema norms, a close collaborator of Quentin Tarantino and Eli Roth. Although Affleck was not part of this, he left his mark on his collaboration with Rodriguez in Hypnotic. This film is nothing less than a journey into a hybrid world that combines the essence of Stephen King, Alfred Hitchcock, and Philip K. Dick. As the Beatles would say in Strawberry Fields: "nothing is real".

In Hypnotic, Affleck plays Danny Rourke, an inspector who encounters an organization of individuals with disturbing hypnotic capabilities. As the plot advances, Rourke opens the doors to a universe that challenges his perception of reality. The narrative, full of unexpected twists, leaves many amazed and confused, showing Rodriguez's ability to create complexities within his distinctive style.

For some critics, the influences of works like Firestarter, Total Recall, and Christopher Nolan's cinematography are more than evident in Hypnotic, generating an immediate sense of familiarity. The Purple Man character, archrival of Daredevil in comics and the Jessica Jones TV series, also resonates here. His manipulation ability, combined with the characteristic atmosphere of Nolan's cinema, creates an intriguing effect.

Nevertheless, the film leaves a certain dissatisfaction upon reaching its end. The expectations it generates are great, and unfortunately, the resolution can leave a bitter taste. Sometimes what is presented in the trailer does not reflect the depth of the story being told, especially when the story is full of unexpected twists. Perhaps Affleck and Rodriguez were not very lucky with Hypnotic in movie theaters. To me, it seems an excellent film that, however, fails in its climax. Let's leave the final decision in the hands of the viewer.