Not Just Another Time Travel Tale

Read Time:3 Minute, 57 Second

MOVIE REVIEW
Things Will Be Different
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Genre: Horror, Sci-Fi, Thriller
Year Released: 2024
Runtime: 1h 42m
Director(s): Michael Felker
Writer(s): Michael Felker
Cast: Adam David Thompson, Riley Dandy, Chloe Skoczen, Justin Benson, Sarah Bolger, Jori Lynn Felker
Where To Watch: in select theaters and VOD nationwide on October 4, 2024

RAVING REVIEW: THINGS WILL BE DIFFERENT invites audiences into a twisted scenario where siblings Joseph and Sidney navigate more than just their escape from a botched robbery—they face their past and its consequences. In this debut by writer/director Michael Felker, the traditional escape to a secluded farmhouse spirals into a time-warp trap, blending suspense with a deep dive into family bonds, all set against a subtly crafted sci-fi backdrop.

Felker’s approach to sci-fi is refreshingly grounded. Eschewing the usual high-octane special effects for intense character development and interaction, THINGS WILL BE DIFFERENT focuses on the psychological over the spectacular. The farmhouse, cluttered with remnants of the past, becomes a crucible for Joseph (Adam David Thompson) and Sidney (Riley Dandy) as they confront their estranged relationship and buried secrets. Here, the real drama unfolds, propelled not by external threats but by the internal turmoil of its characters.

The narrative in THINGS WILL BE DIFFERENT is deeply rooted in the personal—the screenplay is a story Felker envisioned sharing with his father. This personal touch enriches the film’s landscape, making the sibling dynamics universally relatable to anyone who has experienced discord within their family. The story resonates because of its profound look at the characters’ struggles, making it a universal tale of reconciliation and understanding.

Felker subverts the clichés of the time-travel genre, embracing ambiguity and complexity instead of neat conclusions. The plot weaves through time to dazzle and explore the weight of past actions and the shadows they cast on the present. Joseph and Sidney are portrayed not merely as fugitives but as prisoners of their own making, with the farmhouse acting almost as a sentient being, reflecting their darkest moments and fears.

The film’s pacing is a deliberate slow burn that builds tension. Each frame and line of dialogue adds layers to the siblings’ fraught relationship, enhancing the film’s psychological depth. This measured undertaking makes viewers active participants, piecing together the plot’s intricacies and hidden meanings throughout the dialogue and setting.

The film’s open-ended mysteries and lack of clear resolution could frustrate those who favor more definitive conclusions. Yet, precisely, this narrative courage marks THINGS THAT WILL BE DIFFERENT as a standout film, fostering engagement and post-viewing discussion. I love a movie that doesn’t wrap up everything with a pretty bow at the end.

Central to the film’s heart are the compelling performances by Thompson and Dandy, whose portrayals bring a raw, intense depth to their roles. Their evolving relationship, fraught with loyalty, betrayal, and a desperate quest for redemption, is the emotional core around which the film pivots.

THINGS WILL BE DIFFERENT, redefining the boundaries of sci-fi cinema, melding the intricacies of time travel with the intense drama of family conflict. It’s a film that entertains, challenges, and resonates, offering a profound meditation on time, memory, and identity.

For those searching for a movie that values intellectual and emotional engagement, THINGS WILL BE DIFFERENT is a solid choice. It serves as a narrative puzzle that rewards patience and close attention, proving once again that the most potent stories often focus on the human element, the quiet unraveling of personal relationships.

#ThingsWillBeDifferent

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[photo courtesy of MAGNET RELEASING, XYZ FILMS, MAGNOLIA PICTURES]

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