π― Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Simon Kaijser
- Genre: Drama, Mystery, Thriller
- Release year: 2018
- Runtime (length): 1h 40min
- IMDb rating: 5.7/10 (16K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 17%
π Plot Summary – Badly Explained
A professor who philosophizes about the existence of chairs might have accidentally misplaced a student… or maybe not, who even knows what’s real anymore?
πΏ Spinning Man: Detailed Plot Synopsis
The Missing Student
Evan Birch, a philosophy professor with a past history of infidelity, finds himself the prime suspect when a young female student, Joyce Bonner, goes missing. Detective Malloy investigates, and circumstantial evidence begins to pile up against Evan, casting doubt on his alibi and raising suspicions about his involvement in Joyce’s disappearance.

Circumstantial Evidence and Suspicions
As Detective Malloy digs deeper, inconsistencies in Evan’s statements and details from his past come to light. Evan’s wife, Ellen, begins to question his innocence, struggling with the possibility that her husband might be capable of such a crime. The pressure mounts as the investigation intensifies, and Evan finds himself caught in a web of suspicion and doubt.

Philosophical Debates and Memory
Throughout the investigation, Evan engages in philosophical debates with Detective Malloy, exploring the nature of truth, memory, and perception. The film delves into the complexities of Evan’s mind as he struggles to recall events and reconcile his past actions with the present accusations. The lines between reality and perception blur, leaving the audience questioning Evan’s guilt or innocence.

β οΈ Spoilers and Ending Explained
π¬ Cast & Characters
- Evan Birch (Guy Pearce):Β A philosophy professor with a history of affairs, becomes the prime suspect in a student’s disappearance, struggling with memory and perception.
- Malloy (Pierce Brosnan):Β A seasoned detective investigating the disappearance, determined to uncover the truth and suspicious of Evan Birch.
- Ellen Birch (Minnie Driver):Β Evan’s wife, grappling with her husband’s past infidelity and the uncertainty surrounding his possible involvement in the disappearance.
- Joyce Bonner (Odeya Rush):Β The missing student whose disappearance triggers the investigation and throws Evan’s life into turmoil.
- Anna (Alexandra Shipp):Β A student with a past connection to Evan, further complicating the investigation.
π¬ Memorable Quotes
- Malloy:Β “Take this little problem here on your board. The answer seems pretty plain to me.” – Detective Malloy is presenting his findings and opinion on the case to Evan.
- Evan Birch:Β “Does it? Well, be my guest. Prove this chair exists.” – Evan responds sarcastically, challenging Malloy using a philosophical argument.
π°Box Office
- Budget: $8,500,000
- Domestic Gross:Β $27,710
- Worldwide Gross:Β $283,755
π₯ Spinning Man Reviews
Personal Review
I went into Spinning Man expecting a twisty thriller, and while it had moments of intrigue, I was ultimately left feeling a bit disappointed. The acting was solid, especially Guy Pearce as the professor, but the plot felt convoluted and the ending didn’t provide the closure I was hoping for. It’s one of those movies where you spend the whole time guessing, only to be left scratching your head at the end. If you’re a fan of slow-burn mysteries, you might enjoy it, but don’t expect a satisfying resolution.
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of psychological thrillers”
- “Viewers interested in films exploring moral ambiguity”
- “Those who appreciate thought-provoking and open-ended narratives”
- Content warnings β :
- “Brief discussions of infidelity”
- “Some suggestive dialogue”
- “Mature themes involving potential crime”
Professional Reviews
- IMDb: “Despite a great cast including Guy Pearce and Pierce Brosnan, Spinning Man suffers from a slow pace and a muddled ending that leaves many questions unanswered. The film explores interesting themes about memory and truth, but the execution ultimately falls flat.
- Rotten Tomatoes: “Spinning Man boasts a talented cast but struggles to deliver a compelling thriller. The film’s philosophical undertones are interesting, but the story lacks the necessary suspense and the ending feels unsatisfying and vague.
- views on film: “Guy Pearce sort of reprises his role from seventeen years ago as a guy who well, has a really foggy memory. Anyway, “Spinning” chronicles a college professor named Evan Birch (Pearce). When one of Birch’s students goes missing, he becomes the prime suspect in her eventual murder.
Audience Reactions
Kept me guessing until the end, even if the end was confusing!: The performances by Guy Pearce and Pierce Brosnan were generally praised for their depth and nuance.
Too many loose ends and unanswered questions.: Many viewers felt that the film’s ending was ambiguous to a fault, leaving them unsatisfied.
Overall Consensus: Spinning Man is a thriller with a strong cast and intriguing premise, but it suffers from a slow pace, a confusing plot, and an unsatisfying ending, leaving many viewers disappointed.
Awards
π οΈ Behind the Scenes
- “The movie plot has a strong resemblance to the Italian movie ‘La ragazza nella nebbia’ (The Girl in the Fog).”
- “Filming locations included Puddingstone Reservoir, Frank G. Bonelli Regional Park in San Dimas, California.”
π₯οΈ How to Watch Spinning Man?
Spinning Man is currently available for streaming and purchase on various platforms. Check services like Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play Movies for rental or purchase options. Availability may vary depending on your region.

π₯ Similar Movies
If you enjoyed Spinning Man, you might like these similar films:
- The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2011): A dark mystery involving a missing girl and a complex investigation with many potential suspects.
- Memento (2000): Like Spinning Man, it features a protagonist with memory issues and an unreliable narrative, leading to uncertainty about the truth.
- The Lincoln Lawyer (2011): A morally ambiguous protagonist navigates a complex legal case, questioning their client’s innocence and their own ethical boundaries.
π Spinning Man Related Products
- Spinning Man [Blu-ray]:Β Own Spinning Man on Blu-ray and relive the suspense. Includes behind-the-scenes footage and interviews.
- The Spinning Man by George Harrar:Β Dive deeper into the story with the original novel that inspired the movie. Explore the characters and themes in more detail.
- Philosophy Books Collection: Ethics, Logic, and Epistemology:Β A collection of essential philosophy books to deepen your understanding of ethics, logic, and epistemology. Explore the works of Plato, Aristotle, Kant, and more.
- Detective Board Game: Mystery Mansion:Β Solve mysteries in a thrilling board game where you uncover clues and piece together the truth. Test your detective skills in a classic whodunit.
π§ Soundtrack
Spinning Man features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
π€¨ FAQ
Spinning Man follows a philosophy professor who becomes the prime suspect in the disappearance of a young female student, leading to an intense investigation that questions his past and present.
Yes, Spinning Man is based on the novel of the same name by George Harrar.
The film stars Guy Pearce, Pierce Brosnan, and Minnie Driver.
π₯ Bonus Content
αααααααΌαααα αΆααααααΌαααααααΆα | Spinning Man | [αααααΆαααΏα] Cam Studio
Want a quick rundown of what ‘Spinning Man’ is all about? This video summarizes the whole plot so you get a good gist of the movie and whether you’d be interested in watching it! Definitely a good place to start.
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