Is Secondary Worth Watching? Honest Movie Review & Audience Verdict (2023)

📖 The Core Premise

Secondary returns to the screen in 2023, bringing a fresh narrative to the Comedy, Fantasy genre. At its heart, the film explores complex themes wrapped in a compelling storyline. As the plot unfolds, we see characters navigating a world where stakes are high. "Secondary maps two different narratives onto each other, using movement as the formal through-line. The first describes the complex overlay of violence and spectacle inherent in American football, and more broadly within American culture. Barney’s personal involvement in the sport served as a starting point for the development of this project. The extreme physical and psychological conditions of the game have been abstracted in Barney’s art practice since his earliest work, and now provide a context for this subject that is both retrospective and a new, direct engagement."

🎬 Performance & Direction

A movie's success often hinges on its execution. Unfortunately, Raphael Xavier feels underutilized in a role that lacks depth. The direction aims to balance pacing with character development, a hallmark of good Comedy. While there are moments of brilliance, the pacing occasionally dips.

🤔 Why You Should Watch (or Skip)

Is Secondary worth your time? If you appreciate Comedy, Fantasy films that take risks, this is likely a decent one-time watch. However, if you are looking for a flawless masterpiece, you might find some plot points predictable.

🏆 Final Verdict

Ultimately, Secondary misses the mark on several fronts. With a runtime of 60 minutes, it asks for a significant time investment, but for the right audience, it pays off.

Our recommendation: Skip It.