Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Mild
- bleak
- tense
- intimate
- late night viewing
- crime thriller marathon
What critics said
Available audience ratings indicate a generally favorable response, though broad critical consensus is unavailable.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Sebastian relies on dwindling jazz-club gigs while trying to support his ailing sister.
Corrupt detective Terry demands a killing after Sebastian cannot repay what he owes.
Sebastian must complete Terry's demanded murder by the end of the night.
Sebastian traverses the dark streets and seedy jazz clubs of Deep Ellum.
Films like Tonic, and why
Killing Them Softly
Shares a bleak crime atmosphere, desperate financial pressure, and a protagonist navigating coercive criminal choices.
Rounders
Connects morally compromised personal survival with debt, criminal obligation, and a tense nocturnal thriller mood.
Leaving Las Vegas
Shares a troubled musician protagonist, intimate desperation, and a dark American character-driven drama.
Movie Details
- Director
- Derek Presley
- Release Date
- 2025-05-19
- Runtime
- 103 min
- Rating
- 2.0 / 10 (1)
Cast
- Lori Petty
- Ed Westwick
- Richard Riehle
- Vernon Davis
- Jason Coviello
- Billy Blair
- Robert Johnson
- Luke Barnett
- Ammie Masterson
- Carter Burch
Common questions
- What is Tonic about?
- A struggling jazz pianist is trapped between supporting his sick sister and carrying out a detective's murderous demand.
- What is Tonic like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Tonic as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Tonic violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Tonic as mild.
- What did critics think of Tonic?
- Available audience ratings indicate a generally favorable response, though broad critical consensus is unavailable.
- Which films are like Tonic?
- Films with a similar feel include Killing Them Softly, Rounders, and Leaving Las Vegas.
- How long is Tonic?
- Tonic runs 103 minutes.
