The Machine

1994 ""

The Machine

5.4 | 1h36m | en | Horror

This deftly made French psychological thriller terrifies with its exploration of an experiment gone horribly wrong. Dr. Marc Lacroix, a psychiatrist specializing in brain functions, is obsessed with the link between mind and spirit. To find his link he studies the criminally insane. He builds a secret machine, known only to his mistress Marianne, in which he hopes to exchange minds between humans. He simultaneously wants to help the mentally ill recover, and he wants to experience their madness. He chooses the psychotic killer, Zyto, a man who stabbed at least three women, for his experiment. The initial experiment is successful and the two exchange minds. But trouble ensues when Zyto refuses to reverse the switch. There is little Marc can do when Zyto takes over Marc's life, and more ominously his wife and child whom are unknowingly in mortal danger. Marc, encased in Zyto's body, is returned to the asylum. Will Marc's wife recognize the danger? Will Zyto kill again?

WATCH FREEFOR 30 DAYS

All Prime Video
Cancel anytime

Watch Now

5.4 | 1h36m | en | Horror , Thriller , Science Fiction | More Info

Released: May. 28,1994 | Released Producted By: , Country: Germany Budget: 0 Revenue: 0 Official Website:

Synopsis

Stream Online

The movie is currently not available onine

Cast

Gérard Depardieu , Nathalie Baye , Didier Bourdon

Director

Carlos Conti

Producted By

Watch Free for 30 Days

All Prime Video Movies and TV Shows. Cancel anytime.

Watch Now

Trailers & Images

Cast

Gérard Depardieu

as Dr. Marc Lacroix

Employee of the Month Robust Maigret Retirement Home Adieu Paris Les Pieds dans la mayonnaise : Les Irrévérencieux des années 70 Robust Un homme d'honneur Lost Illusions

Nathalie Baye

as Marie Lacroix

Haute Couture Him Sous le soleil de Pialat My Best Part Nox Médée Laurence Anyways Beautiful Lies Together Is Too Much

Didier Bourdon

as Michel Zyto

Uman – The Perfect Man Price Of Parenting 100% Organic À tes côtés Permis de construire My Out-Laws Nicky Larson and the Cupid's Perfume Jacky in the Kingdom of Women La Cage aux folles

Reviews

suchenwi I wouldn't call La machine a perfect movie, but it is well done and gives good thrills mostly by fitting music and cinematography, while hardly displaying gore. You can create enough tension by just showing a door-knob slowly opening.Having seen 36 Quai d'Orfevres and Boudu in the last few days, I must say Gérard Depardieu is impressive in yet another type of role (or should we say, three?) Only in the end I lost track who is now in whose body...To blame this film to be a "pre-make" of Face/Off made three years later is obviously silly. But I notice quite some similarities with the cutely named "The Man Who Changed His Mind" (1936/I), with Boris Karloff - and, of course, many dissimilarities as well.I liked this movie, and give it 7/10.

kosto A psychiatrist (Gerard Depardieu) and his woman-stabbing patient accidently exchange minds with a machine (the machine) he developed. The maniac overthrows him before the transfer-back process and stays in the body. Now the psychiatrist is locked away in the clinic and the madman is at home with the psychiatrist's wife and child.Queer sounding story but nevertheless a fascinating, exciting "mind-exchange" movie. 8/10

clarknova It's my first day on IMDb and my first move here will be to say to the world how awful is this movie. The worst i have ever seen in my life (and i used to be an horror picture fan so you can believe me, i have seen real Z movies). In La Machine, Depardieu plays like a puppet and Didier Bourdon is so ridiculous i felt ashamed for him, I really felt the Chill of Shame. Thanks God, the scenario worth nothing so nothing is wasted.

Varlaam Dr. Lacroix (Depardieu) has constructed a machine which will allow him to exchange personalities with one of his patients, a misogynistic multiple murderer (Bourdon).This thriller is a variation on the Frankenstein theme with the monster as a serial killer's mind unleashed in a psychologist's body. The film is under-budgeted and reliant on dialogue as many French films are. It can all seem a little overwrought and contrived at times, but still it's fairly good.Depardieu is convincing in the different personalities he has to affect. He is united with his frequent costar Nathalie Baye, although her role is a small one this time. There is even a very faint echo of the "What makes a marriage?" theme from their earlier film Le retour de Martin Guerre. So faint you probably won't notice.