Director and screenwriter Joseph Holmes tackles the multiverse while analyzing free will in Jim vs. the Future. Jim (Kyle Trivanovich) is a sociology graduate student with nerdy interests and a special relationship with his fiancée, Kathy (Veronica Basa). Their relationship is at a crossroads, as he wants to pursue a career, while Kathy wants his career to take a backseat in order to raise a family. On Christmas, the couple is on the verge of breaking up. Jim is having a normal evening until he is visited by three multiversal travelers. Cliff (Nathan Clarkson) comes from a future where Jim is not in a relationship and instead is a world-famous author. He explains to Jim the workings of the multiverse as each decision creates a cosmic genocide, destroying a potential future.
After encountering Cliff, Jim interacts with his son, Fynn (Daniel Antonino), who comes from a timeline where he is married to Kathy. Fynn tries to convince him not to break up with Kathy through psychological roleplay. His interactions with his son get cut short when Cliff reemerges to reveal that time travelers are killing each other. He tells Jim that Fynn killed his little sister, Fran (Georgi James), in another universe. Once Fran arrives, Jim is put to the test on his career and relationship choices.
“ Jim is having a normal evening until he is visited by three multiversal travelers.”
Joseph Holmes takes the multiverse concept and applies it through a philosophical-Christian message. It is a unique lens to address Christian values. One could call it a reverse-engineered take on A Christmas Carol. Jim is repeatedly challenged between choosing individualism or love. This introspective approach takes the multiverse subgenre of science fiction into a more humanistic territory. The scenes between Jim and Fran have the most heart as they dramatize the challenges and beauty of having children. Moments like these make the story feel universal.
Kyle Fossé’s editing and cinematography are seamless. His lighting is subtle as the small cast carries the film. This creative approach forces the viewer to actually sympathize with the characters, as other multiverse media lean into gimmicks and bizarre imagery. The film even includes a humorous after-credits scene, which is a nice bonus! Holmes succeeds in elevating the time-travel and multiverse genre; however, his film can be dialogue-heavy at times. Jim vs. the Future is successful as it tackles the difficulties of life choices with humor, sincerity, and heart.
"…a reverse engineered take on A Christmas Carol."
