Filmium
Back to search
Movie Backdrop

Primer streaming

2004 Movie United States Sci-Fi, Drama, Thriller, Science Fiction 77 min Ages 12+
By: Shane Carruth With: David Sullivan, Shane Carruth, Casey Gooden

Engineers Aaron, Abe, Robert and Phillip are working on an invention, the prototype being built in Aaron's garage. This project is beyond their day jobs. The project truly does belong to Aaron and Abe, as they use all their free time working on it, primarily trying to overcome the many engineering related problems they've encountered. It is during one of his tests with the invention running that Abe discovers that a protein inside the main unit has multiplied much more rapidly than it could in nature. Rather than the invention being a protein super incubator, Abe, using himself as a guinea pig, and a very meticulous one at that, discovers that the invention can be used as a time machine. In his self experiment, Abe was especially careful not to interfere with his own self in that time warp. Abe passes along this discovery to Aaron, who he expects will tell his wife Kara in what is the sanctity of their marriage, but he doesn't want to tell either Robert or Phillip. Much to Abe's surprise, Aaron does not want to tell Kara, it being a sole intellectual property of just the two of them, in the process moving the base of operation to a locked storage unit. Aaron's plan for the two of them is to use the invention to win big in the stock market by knowing through the time travel what has happened in the market. With two thoughts on the matter now instead of just one, Aaron and Abe may hit some logistical and philosophical roadblocks in how to move forward.

Filmium rating
67%

Festival Achievements

Rotterdam International Film Festival 2005
Selections:
Sturm und Drang

Mood

Cerebral
Intellectual
Philosophical
Tense
Thoughtful

Cast & Crew

Shane Carruth
David Sullivan
Casey Gooden
Collaborative
David Sullivan As Abe
Independent Filmmakers
Shane Carruth As Aaron

Budget

Diy
Independent
Micro-Budget

Cinematic Technique

Fluorescent Lighting
Grainy Film
Overexposed
Overexposed Look
Practical Effects
Storyboarded

Film Movements

Experimental Cinema
Independent Film

Narrative Structure

Experimental
Hidden
Nonlinear

Pace

Deliberate
Methodical
Slow-Burn
Slow-Paced

Runtime

Compact
Short Runtime

Soundtrack

Ambient
Minimalist
Original Score

Style

Experimental
Independent
Lo-Fi
Low-Budget

Time-Period

Early 2000S
Modern

Central Conflict

Ethical Questions
Relationship Breakdown
Timeline Interference

Characters

Aaron
Abe
Engineers

Ending

Ambiguous
Moral Dilemma
Relationship Separation

Historical Context

Early 2000S
Post-9/11 Era

Key Plot Points

Accidental Discovery
Causal Loops
Failsafe Box
Time Machine Creation

Plot

Causal Loop
Causal Loops
Ethical Dilemmas
Garage Experiment
Time Travel

Setting

Industrial Park
Self-Storage Facility
Suburban Garage

Shooting Location

Dallas Outskirts
Industrial Parks
Suburban Homes

Theme

Ethical Dilemmas
Ethical Implications
Friendship Breakdown
Relationship Breakdown
Scientific Discovery
Scientific Responsibility

Genre

Experimental
Independent Film
Psychological
Psychological Thriller
Science Fiction

Audiences

Adults
Cult Following
Intellectual Viewers
Intellectuals
Sci-Fi Enthusiasts
Science Fiction Fans

Titles

Primer
Találmány
Wynalazek
命运之门

Awards

Grand Jury Prize
Sloan Prize
Sundance

Box Office Success

Independent Success
Low-Budget Hit

Critical Reception

Dense
Positive Reviews
Thought-Provoking

Festivals

London International Festival
Sundance

Popularity

Cult Film
Science Fiction Favorite

Ratings

Metacritic 68
Rotten Tomatoes 72%

Reception

Award-Winning
Critical Acclaim
Cult Classic
Cult Following
Sundance Winner

Production Countries

United States

Release Year

2004
mowizz ID: 1da221cf-a12c-4797-a15a-8e4d4f68520e
Imprint
Privacy policy
Terms and Conditions
About us
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Supported by:
KtBE
BAK
EGS
Suissimage
Swissperform
© 2026 Filmium GmbH - all external content remains the property of the rightful owner
Version: v1.2.40 (frontend) | (backend)