3484. Time Freak (2018)

Starring: Asa Butterfield, Sophie Turner, Skyler Gisondo

Director: Andrew Bowler

Running Time: 104 mins

Time Freak is an American film about a teenager who, after breaking up with his girlfriend, uses a time machine to go back to the day they first met, to ensure that their relationship unfolds with no problems.

Sci-fi can always bring a fresh edge to the often tired genre of romantic comedy, and Time Freak seeks to do just that, while offering a little bit of philosophical introspection on the actions of its main character, as he seeks to perfect his relationship.

On the one hand, the philosophical element of the movie is rather stimulating, with an engaging portrayal of how a supposedly ‘perfect’ relationship is in reality beneficial for neither party, flipping the fantasies of many who wish they could travel back in time and do over their past mistakes.

On the other hand, Time Freak doesn’t manage to enamour you with its comedy or its romance, and is occasionally a lot more fun to watch when focusing on the bizarre exploits of the film’s supporting comic relief, played by Skyler Gisondo.

Asa Butterfield and Sophie Turner are good in their lead roles, but they don’t have the chemistry of a classic screen couple, and nor are they fun-loving or high-energy enough to deliver laughs in the same way as Gisondo does in the supporting role.

As a result, the film finds itself caught in an awkward position where it’s not exactly funny enough to be properly entertaining, but is also a little too light-hearted to be taken seriously. Given the strength of the thematic depth at play here, it would have been good to see Time Freak take itself a little more seriously than ultimately proves the case.

Certainly not on the level of the sharp, hilarious and emotionally riveting About Time, Time Freak struggles to make full use of its premise, and despite some likability and moments of intrigue, ultimately falls short of its potential. So, that’s why I’m giving the film a 7.0 overall.