Okay so I'm going to do my best to avoid giving any spoilers, for anyone truly interested in watching this film, you should have the chance to do so without any prior bearings. HOWEVER, I will say, it is extremely hard to write a review of WHY this is such an unenjoyable film, without mentioning spoilers. So, I'll be using comparisons to other films where necessary.

First off, the acting. It's not bad, Ethan Hawke is a one-trick pony but personally I like his style, I enjoyed him in films like Precinct 13. He's his usual reliable self in this film. The other protagonist actor is a mixed bag. Not someone I enjoyed very much, but in some ways that's an awful lot to do with the story given to the individual's character.

The opening of the film is filled with plenty of promise, intrigue, good dialogue, fine work between both the protagonists. It's a definite 7 or 8. Up until about half way or maybe even just the incredibly poor, unclear, disjointed final portion of the film, it is actually good.

The meat and bones of this movie is a time-travelling story, hence the title, and I know the initial information will say so. Remember Terminator? Interesting story, strange twist, total plot-hole and paradox, and why is the film so awesome, how does it redeem itself? Terminator is full of action and dread, a roller-coaster experience. Predestination is not. I just didn't find anything to redeem it, and it feels a bit like it just never begins and ends properly.

Aside from Terminator, and if you've seen that movie, you'll understand the point about paradoxes, this movie also treads the lines of just being a bit too artsy and weighed down by an unclear story. I said in the title, lacking any true plot, and I stand by this, it really just feels like they went for an artsy experience, tried to wow people who are easily wow'ed, and left out anything firm and redeeming with regards to a plot. What makes a good story? A beginning, middle and end. This film lacked an ending, or certainly had an unsatisfying ending.

I'd avoid it, personally, if I could time-travel back and tell myself about this movie. If, like me, you didn't like the other protagonist actor within the first 20-30 minutes, then, go with your gut, because that individual is more of a protagonist than Ethan Hawke, he's the supporting actor. And nothing really happens in the film. It's rather like if you took the action scenes out of Tarantino's movies (Pulp Fiction, Reservoir Dogs, Kill Bill, Hateful Eight for instance), and tried to just have a few scenes of powerful dialogue, then they shrug their shoulders, put out their cigarettes, and walk away without finishing their sentences. Bit boring really, and considering the intrigue and investment at the beginning, it feels like a tease, it's quite frustrating and irritating.

Avoid it and watch Terminator instead. Terminator is at least honest about its direction, and feeds you exciting action scenes to keep you interested.