The Flash (2023)

Movie · 2023 · Action, Science Fiction, Adventure · 2h 24m · PG-13 · English

Curator score: 1.0/10 (864.7K ratings)

Worlds collide.

Overview

When his attempt to save his family inadvertently alters the future, Barry Allen becomes trapped in a reality in which General Zod has returned and there are no Super Heroes to turn to. In order to save the world that he is in and return to the future that he knows, Barry's only hope is to race for his life. But will making the ultimate sacrifice be enough to reset the universe?

Ratings

Director

Andy Muschietti

Production

Warner Bros. Pictures, Double Dream, The Disco Factory, DC Films

Cast

Ezra Miller, Sasha Calle, Michael Keaton, Michael Shannon, Ron Livingston, Maribel Verdú, Kiersey Clemons, Antje Traue, Saoirse-Monica Jackson, Rudy Mancuso, Ed Wade, Jeremy Irons, Temuera Morrison, Sanjeev Bhaskar, Sean Rogers, Kieran Hodgson, Luke Brandon Field, Ian Loh, Karl Collins, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau

Where to watch

Max

Curator Review

Verdict

A noisy, overstuffed multiverse adventure with a few crowd-pleasing moments, but the weak visual effects, uneven tone, and messy storytelling drag it down hard. It has enough nostalgia and energy to interest completionists or DC fans, but as a standalone movie it’s more frustrating than fun.

Best for

  • DC franchise completists
  • viewers curious about Michael Keaton’s return
  • fans of chaotic, joke-heavy superhero spectacle
  • people who can tolerate rough CGI for a few big swings

Skip if

  • you want polished visual effects
  • you’re tired of multiverse nostalgia bait
  • you prefer clean, emotionally coherent blockbusters
  • you dislike movies that lean on cameos and legacy characters

Overview

The Flash is built around a strong comic-book premise: grief, regret, and the temptation to rewrite the past. In practice, though, it keeps getting pulled away from that emotional core by franchise obligations, fan-service detours, and a visual style that often looks unfinished rather than heightened.

Worth noting

There are flashes of wit and a few genuinely entertaining stretches, especially when the movie lets Barry’s panic and awkwardness drive the action. But the film’s reliance on nostalgia, its uneven pacing, and its frequently ugly effects make it feel more like a studio compromise than a satisfying superhero story.

Bottom line

If you’re here for the idea of a broken timeline and a hero learning what sacrifice really means, there’s something to latch onto. If you’re hoping for the kind of multiverse movie that feels inventive, emotionally clean, or visually inspired, this one is likely to disappoint.

Top Letterboxd reviews

jonathan fujii (1.5★) · 9638 likes

Absolutely brutal timing for this to come out after Across the Spider-Verse I have to laugh

Framesofnick (1.5★) · 8512 likes

The ugliest fucking movie I’ve ever seen

Alex IHE (2.5★) · 6464 likes

“I could drug you” 🫨😬😬😬😬😬😬😬🫨

Lenny (3.5★) · 4265 likes

Oh shit, the CGI baby from Twilight: Breaking Dawn got siblings.

Sethsreviews (2.5★) · 3257 likes

Spy kids 3 looked better.

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Topics

superhero, science fiction, action-adventure, time travel, multiverse, nostalgia, grief, chaotic tone, blockbuster, CGI-heavy

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