If Shane Carruth ever wonders whether he influenced filmmakers down the line, he need look no further than Space/Time. Written by Adam Harmer and director Michael O’Halloran, this sci-fi drama twists around itself and jumps to different timelines in a way that would make the man behind Primer proud. But is the film merely an imitation, or can it stand on its own apart from its influences?
Liv (Ashlee Lollback) is a scientist working on cutting-edge technology. Her and her team’s mission is to create a machine that can roll back the clock so humanity can turn the tide before the world collapses. Obviously, that is much easier said than done, and a massive storm combined with an energy surge wipes out most of the scientists and the island they were working on.
Liv leans on her significant other, Harris (Pacharo Mzembe), for support in the aftermath. He is very supportive, but was also there, meaning he’s dealing with trauma and frustrations as well. But then Holt (Hugh Parker), the project lead, waltzes back into Liv’s life with a plan to continue their all-important work. The catch is that everything is more unscrupulous, and the characters dealt with are more unsavory than before. Why is Holt so gung-ho to finish the machine? Why is Liv seeing flashes of herself performing different actions?
“Why is Holt so gung-ho to finish the machine? Why is Liv seeing flashes of herself performing different actions?”
To avoid as many spoilers as possible, the above plot synopsis 1) leaves a lot out and 2) is not entirely accurate, as it is serving more to give the flavor of what’s happening than the full dish. But all one needs to know is that Space/Time starts off strong, with the first machine’s disaster, and only gets more engaging and wild from there. O’Halloran directs with confidence, ensuring the drama of Liv’s life and the urgency of the mission are given equal standing. Once the more thrilling aspects enter the fray, they gel seamlessly with what’s come before.
The script fleshes out Liv and Harris very well. However, Holt is just overzealous scientist #201. He’s rather bland, as far as antagonists go, and his ultimate desire is easily figured out after his reintroduction. But the story structure is unique, as the narrative jumps into scenes, seemingly at random at first. But O’Halloran and Harmer have finely crafted the whole thing, so each moment actually makes complete sense by the end. Plus, there’s one speech in the film, from Holt to Liv, about work-life balance that is so genuinely endearing and relatable that it almost makes up for the villain’s thinness, almost.
Lollback has a Mary Elizabeth Winstead-meets-Kathryne Isabelle Easton vibe, and it totally works. She is easy to root for and garners a lot of empathy as the plot zigzags around itself. Her chemistry with Mzembe is strong, and she sells the tech angle and the action heroine stuff wonderfully. While his part is generic, Parker gives it his all. He is creepy, crazy, and believable as a man wishing for the power to control everything all the time. Mzembe has to react a lot, but he’s sweet, and it is easy to see why Liv would like Harris.
Space/Time is an engaging and wild ride. The directing is strong and balances every genre it plays with well. While the characterizations for all but Liv are so-so, the narrative is mind-bending, twisty fun. The cast is great from start to finish, Lollback proving she’s got that “it” factor to propel her to stardom. Science fiction fans, thriller aficionados, and Carruth purists will all do well to seek this out as soon as possible.
For more information, visit the official Space/Time site.
"…would make the man behind Primer proud."
