(Better options to watch are at the end of this review.)

Predestination offers a moderately compelling story free of detrimental plot holes or logical inconsistencies. Its central concept is also likely to be novel to the first-time viewer.

Where the film suffers is in its presentation. Most of the script is narration or explanatory monologue, the latter often delivered over cut scenes of what's being described. While these narrative techniques are not unusual, they are best used sparingly; Predestination is Exhibit A in the case for why.

Think of a thriller where a central character explains a discovery or final twist as you see action that was hidden from you up until that point. Or a character study or biopic that opens with the protagonist laying the groundwork for the rest of the story with some critical details upfront. Now imagine that technique used for most of a film. Have you heard of "show, don't tell?" Predestination is all tell.

I'll concede that there are excellent productions that use these techniques to this degree, but they demand two prerequisites: a standout script and first-class acting. Dialogue must be profound and tight, free of filler. The acting must be so exceptional that you forget they're acting at all. Without either -- or in this case, both -- the presentation quickly grows tired and burdensome. The Man from Earth is a good parallel from the modern sci-fi canon that actually suffers a disastrous fate from its even worse marks in both measures.

Ultimately Predestination is an average film, a far cry from the masterpiece or disaster that other reviewers would have you believe.

Similar titles I'd recommend you watch instead: Moon, Looper, Edge of Tomorrow, Minority Report, Inception, Interstellar, Never Let Me Go, The One I Love, Sunshine, Donnie Darko, Source Code, Twelve Monkeys, Gattaca