A Time-Hopping Rom-Com Like No Other

Read Time:4 Minute, 20 Second

MOVIE REVIEW
Timestalker
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Genre: Comedy, Romance, Sci-Fi Fantasy, Drama
Year Released: 2025
Runtime: 1h 30m
Director(s): Alice Lowe
Writer(s): Alice Lowe
Cast: Alice Lowe, Jacob Anderson, Aneurin Barnard, Tanya Reynolds, Nick Frost
Where To Watch: on demand February 14, 2025

RAVING REVIEW: Time is relentless, but what if love was, too? In a genre-blurring mix of dark humor, fantasy, and romance, TIMESTALKER dares to ask whether fate is a guiding force or a cruel trickster. Alice Lowe, who wears multiple hats as writer, director, and lead actress, delivers an offbeat and unpredictable journey through history. The film follows Agnes, a woman cursed—or perhaps determined—to repeatedly relive the same doomed romance. Across centuries, from 17th-century Scotland to the neon-lit streets of 1980s New York, she finds herself drawn to the same enigmatic man, Alex, played by Aneurin Barnard. Her fate remains tragically and hilariously unchanged regardless of the era or circumstances.

Lowe has a reputation for injecting macabre wit into her work, and TIMESTALKER is no exception. Her approach leans into absurdity without losing sight of emotional weight, creating a story that plays as both satire and reflection. The film's structure embraces an episodic format, each segment immersing the audience in a new period, complete with its own aesthetic and cultural quirks. This allows Lowe to flex her comedic instincts while subtly exploring the pitfalls of obsessive love and the illusion of destiny.

The supporting cast brings a flair to the time-hopping narrative. Jacob Anderson, Nick Frost, and Tanya Reynolds all leave an impression, each playing different variations of characters that weave in and out of Agnes’s story. Frost, in particular, is a scene-stealer portraying George, a man whose relentless pursuit of Agnes is both amusing and unsettling. Meanwhile, Reynolds’s portrayal of Meg offers a different emotional connection, adding to the film’s commentary on the often-overlooked relationships beyond romantic fixation.

TIMESTALKER plays with style to keep each era feeling distinct. The production design and costuming embrace historical authenticity but with a playfully exaggerated edge, while the cinematography shifts to match the changing aesthetics of each period. The 1980s segment stands out, dripping in neon and drenched in nostalgia yet always maintaining a sharp satirical eye. It’s a film that uses its visuals to enhance comedy and tragedy, making Agnes’s predicament simultaneously ridiculous and inevitable.

Despite its many strengths, the film does occasionally struggle. Some sequences stretch beyond what they need to, and while the humor is sharp, certain jokes feel like we’ve heard them before. Given the nature of the premise—repetition as a core theme—understandably, some elements reappear throughout. Still, there are moments where a tighter edit might have helped maintain momentum. The transition between periods is smooth, but some sections feel more developed than others. Though central to the story, the recurring theme of unreciprocated love could have been explored in even greater depth, particularly in how it affects Agnes’s growth across her many lives.

TIMESTALKER is an inventive take on romance and fate. Lowe’s performance as Agnes is full of charm and sincerity, making her an endearing protagonist despite—or perhaps because of—her relentless bad luck in love. Barnard’s portrayal of Alex remains enigmatic, a figure who changes through the ages yet always manages to stay just out of reach. Though doomed, their dynamic is the engine that keeps the film moving forward, making each cycle feel frustrating yet fascinatingly inevitable.

At its core, TIMESTALKER is a playful yet poignant examination of love, obsession, and the stories we tell ourselves about destiny. It refuses to adhere to conventional romantic narratives, twisting them into something hilarious and occasionally heartbreaking. Those who appreciate a mix of dark humor, historical absurdity, and a unique storytelling approach will find plenty to enjoy. This film is a testament to Lowe’s ability to balance the bizarre with the deeply human.

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[photo courtesy of LEVEL 33 ENTERTAINMENT]

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