Predestination is a highly engaging film that constantly teases the audience and gives just enough hints to make us feel smart when we figure something out, even though it's actually really obvious.

On a minute-to-minute basis it is very entertaining and if my score were based on that alone this could be an 8, or even 9, out of 10. What holds it back, however, is the lack of satisfying resolution. Technically, that was the intention of the filmmakers, but it feels more like they wrote themselves into a dead end they didn't know how to resolve.

Trying to describe what frustrates me about this film makes me think of a Michael Caine quote from 'The Prestige':

"Every great magic trick consists of three parts or acts. The first part is called "The Pledge". The magician shows you something ordinary: a deck of cards, a bird or a man. [...] The second act is called "The Turn". The magician takes the ordinary something and makes it do something extraordinary. [...] But you wouldn't clap yet. Because making something disappear isn't enough; you have to bring it back. That's why every magic trick has a third act, the hardest part, the part we call "The Prestige"."

Predestination does not have a Prestige, which is what holds it back from being a truly great trick. It just leaves you feeling empty.

I recommend watching it. It's well directed, it has good acting, good dialogue, and good visuals, but the story leaves something to be desired.