The movie you are referring to is likely “Chronicle,” a 2012 science fiction film where a group of teenagers gain superhuman abilities after encountering a mysterious object during an experiment-like event. In the film, three high school friends—Andrew, Matt, and Steve—discover a strange hole in the ground where they are exposed to an unknown substance that grants them telekinetic powers. As they experiment with their new abilities, Andrew, in particular, develops super strength and other powers, which he uses increasingly aggressively as the story progresses[1].
The plot begins with the three friends finding the hole and soon after developing telekinetic abilities, which include moving objects with their minds and eventually flying. They initially use their powers for harmless pranks and to impress others, but Andrew’s personality changes as he becomes more confident and aggressive. His super strength and telekinetic powers grow stronger, but so does his anger and recklessness. This leads to conflicts with his friends and others around him. Andrew’s powers become a source of both empowerment and destruction, culminating in violent confrontations and tragic consequences[1].
The film explores themes of power, responsibility, and the psychological effects of sudden superhuman abilities. Andrew’s transformation after gaining super strength and other powers is central to the story, showing how such abilities can corrupt and isolate a person if not controlled. The movie is notable for its found-footage style, which adds a sense of realism to the portrayal of superpowers and their impact on ordinary lives[1].
“Chronicle” stands out because it does not depict the typical superhero origin story with clear heroes and villains. Instead, it presents a more nuanced and darker take on what might happen if ordinary people suddenly gained extraordinary powers through an unexplained experiment-like event. Andrew’s waking up with super strength and the subsequent consequences form the core of the movie’s dramatic tension[1].
If you are thinking of a different movie where a man wakes up with super strength specifically after an experiment, “Chronicle” remains the most prominent and fitting example based on the description. Other films might involve superpowers from magical stones or other sources, but “Chronicle” is well-known for the experiment-like exposure leading to super strength and telekinetic powers[2].
