Time Cut: A Nostalgic Slasher with a Time-Traveling Twist
In 2003, a quiet American town is terrorized by an unknown killer targeting teenagers. The latest victim is Summer (Antonia Gentry), a popular high schooler. Fast forward to 2024: Lucy (Madison Bailey), Summer’s younger sister, born after the tragedy, lives in the shadow of the past. Her parents are broken by their daughter’s death, Summer’s room remains untouched like a shrine, and Lucy never knew her sister, nor what she was like. On the anniversary of Summer’s death, the family visits the old barn where she was murdered, a somber tradition. Spotting a strange light, Lucy enters the barn and discovers a mysterious device. In an instant, she’s transported back to 2003, days before her sister’s death.
Scene from “Time Cut”
“Time Cut” not only takes us back to the glamorous 2000s but also echoes the 2023 release of Nahnatchka Khan’s “Totally Killer.” Both films share a similar formula: a slasher flick blended with time-travel tropes, all while bathed in nostalgia. In “Totally Killer,” the protagonist travels to the 1980s to stop a killer targeting high school girls, who will eventually target her mother. Although “Time Cut” was released a year later, it was in production earlier. However, Hannah Macpherson’s work will inevitably be compared to Khan’s film (not favorably for the Netflix newcomer). Neither film claims to revolutionize the genre; the combination of horror and comedy is nothing new. But while “Totally Killer” succeeds in entertaining its audience, “Time Cut” struggles to be a lively or witty Halloween scare.
Scene from “Time Cut”
Missed Opportunities in Time
Hannah Macpherson co-wrote the screenplay with Michael Kennedy, known for his fun comedic horror films “Freaky” and “Black Christmas.” Unfortunately, the script is where “Time Cut” falters most, lacking both sharp dialogue and suspenseful storytelling. Yet, the creators had an opportunity to add depth and complexity to the story through Lucy’s difficult life. She grew up in a home where grief permeated every corner, and life stood still since 2003. Arriving in the past, she’s struck by how happy her parents were and the environment in which her sister thrived. Her parents’ decision to have another child was driven by their desire to cope with Summer’s loss. Lucy’s life is overshadowed by the tragedy of the 2000s, but the chain of events ironically sets her own birth in motion. The horror-comedy had the potential for unexpected twists, but the rushed ending leaves much to be desired.
Scene from “Time Cut”
Nostalgia Bait
Time travel in film is always an opportunity for nostalgia. The director’s best decision was to send the protagonist back to 2003. From low-rise jeans to remakes of iconic films, recent years have been filled with longing for the 2000s. While this Netflix slasher comedy may not become an annual Halloween viewing staple, it captures the mood of 2024. It’s a shame that “Time Cut” lacks cultural clashes, jokes, and period details, especially compared to “Totally Killer.” However, the corduroy suits and brightly printed t-shirts might be enough to trigger millennials’ urge to blast Avril Lavigne.