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Timestalker

Timestalker is a written and directed by , who also stars as the Agnes, a hapless woman who repeatedly falls in love with the wrong man, dies a grim death as a result, and reincarnates a century later to repeat the cycle in pursuit of spiritual enlightenment. The story unfolds across multiple historical periods, beginning in 17th-century where Agnes endures persecution as a , then shifting to 18th-century amid class struggles, 1980s with modern romantic pitfalls, and a post-apocalyptic future in the 22nd century, all while highlighting the chaotic and often fatal consequences of unchecked desire. Lowe's screenplay blends high-concept elements of with bawdy humor, sharp social on gender roles and romance tropes, and occasional in Agnes's inventive demises, a Western Edge Pictures production in association with BFI, Head Gear Films, and Ffilm Cymru , with a runtime of 89 minutes. The film features a supporting cast including as Agnes's recurring ill-fated love interest, alongside , , and in various period roles that underscore the timeless folly of the central romance. It premiered at on 8 March 2024, received a and theatrical release on 11 October 2024 via Vertigo Releasing, and expanded to limited theaters and on-demand streaming on 14 February 2025 through Level 33 Entertainment. Critically, Timestalker holds a Certified Fresh rating of 87% on based on 47 reviews, praised for its witty deconstruction of romantic narratives, though it earned a mixed 5.5/10 average on from over 3,300 user ratings.

Plot

Synopsis

Timestalker centers on (), a hapless protagonist caught in an endless cycle of driven by her obsessive pursuit of romantic love with the same soul reincarnated in various forms across history and the future. Each time she falls for this individual, her passion leads to a tragic and gruesome death, prompting her rebirth roughly a century later to repeat the pattern. The story unfolds through six distinct historical and futuristic settings, beginning in 1688 where Agnes first encounters her love interest as a preacher amid witch persecutions and rural turmoil. She is reborn in 1793 Georgian , drawn once more to the same soul now manifested as a in an era of social constraints. The cycle continues in 1847 Victorian as a teacher, and in 1940 during wartime, before reaching 1986 , with Agnes navigating urban modernity to reunite with him as a pop star, only to face inevitable doom. Finally, in a post-apocalyptic 2117, she confronts the soul as a survivor amid desolation and survival struggles. Throughout these incarnations, the narrative highlights the repetitive nature of Agnes's journey, marked by encounters that blend passion with peril and underscore the karmic consequences of unyielding romantic fixation. The culminates in a climactic confrontation with this eternal loop of , forcing Agnes to grapple with a pivotal that could shatter the cycle.

Themes

Timestalker explores the central theme of through the lens of , portraying it not as a romantic destiny but as a that traps the in a cycle of repeating poor romantic choices. This depiction critiques the myth of soulmates by illustrating how an unreciprocated fixation leads to repeated personal destruction and emotional futility, emphasizing the inherent in idealized . The film employs historical and temporal satire across diverse eras, including the Scottish Highlands of the 1600s, the Georgian period, Victorian England, mid-20th-century wartime, 1980s yuppie culture, and a dystopian future, to underscore the persistence of gender dynamics and patriarchal constraints over time. By juxtaposing Agnes's reincarnated pursuits against these backdrops, it highlights how societal expectations of women—ranging from subservient roles in historical settings to commodified identities in modern ones—perpetuate cycles of romantic disillusionment and limited agency. Dark permeates the , blending humor with to underscore the of Agnes's futile endeavors, often culminating in violent or failures that mock the earnestness of tropes. This tonal fusion uses elements like exaggerated aesthetics and delivery to critique the pitfalls of idealism, turning potential into a satirical commentary on human persistence in doomed pursuits.

Cast

Principal cast

Alice Lowe stars as , the protagonist who reincarnates across multiple historical eras, portraying a marked by persistent desperation and sharp in her doomed pursuits. In the 17th-century Scottish , Lowe embodies an impoverished spinner with wide-eyed naivety that evolves into frantic obsession; by the 18th-century English countryside, she transforms into a scheming aristocrat, her performance laced with sly and indulgent eye rolls; and in the 1980s segment, Lowe channels a big-haired enthusiast, satirizing rom-com heroines through exaggerated desperation and verbal barbs. Aneurin Barnard plays the multiple incarnations of Agnes's ill-fated love interest, delivering nuanced performances that highlight physical and emotional transformations across time periods to underscore the cyclical of their . As a heretic preacher in 1688 , Barnard conveys brooding intensity with a swaggering charisma; in the , he appears as a roguish , digging into the character's depraved charm through kinetic physicality; and in 1980s New York, he embodies a flamboyant , blending unapologetic cad-like allure with chaotic energy that amplifies the film's satirical take on toxic romance. Nick Frost portrays George, a sleazy Wall Street executive in the film's modern arc, using his signature comedic timing to advance the segment's biting satire on yuppie excess and shallow desire. Frost's growling delivery and grotesque mannerisms—complete with ill-fitting suits and bad hair—make him a scene-stealing , relishing the role's rotten baddie traits to contrast Agnes's escalating and highlight the era's hollow romantic tropes.

Supporting cast

Tanya Reynolds plays Meg, a recurring figure who serves as Agnes's companion, friend, or servant across multiple time periods, including late 18th-century , where her role underscores the social constraints faced by women through themes of unrequited affection and limited relational options. Kate Dickie portrays Marion, a featured prominently in the film's 1680s Scottish opening, where she contributes to the violent tone and integrates folklore-inspired elements into the narrative's historical backdrop. Jacob Anderson as Scipio, a who serves as Agnes's servant or ally in various eras, often injecting revolutionary fervor and wry commentary on social upheaval. The ensemble includes Dan Skinner as the and , appearing in historical contexts to enhance period authenticity through authoritative figures that amplify comedic and dramatic tensions. Mike Wozniak plays Dan Chovy, contributing humor and world-building in transitional and futuristic scenes that contrast with the film's earlier eras.

Production

Development

Timestalker originated from writer-director Alice Lowe's desire to blend romantic comedy with time travel elements, conceived as a lighter follow-up to her 2016 debut feature Prevenge. The project was publicly announced in February 2021 at the European Film Market, marking it as Lowe's sophomore directorial effort, with initial casting including Lowe herself alongside Natasia Demetriou and Jacob Anderson. Lowe's scripting process delved into themes of and obsessive pursuit, drawing from her personal reflections on romantic cycles and female folly across history. She began writing around 2017, envisioning a narrative where the protagonist repeatedly reincarnates after fatal romantic missteps, inspired by historical romances such as Stanley Kubrick's for its period aesthetics and the time-loop mechanics of sci-fi comedies like , but infused with darker, gorier twists involving gruesome deaths to subvert traditional rom-com tropes. Financing for Timestalker was secured through the (BFI) Filmmaking Fund, which awarded £1.09 million in 2022 via National Lottery proceeds, supporting independent cinema. The production was co-led by producers , Mark Hopkins, and Vaughan Sivell of Western Edge Pictures, with additional backing from the through Creative Wales and Ffilm Cymru Wales, enabling pre-production amid broader industry challenges.

Filming

Principal photography for Timestalker commenced in 2022 and wrapped after a 22-day shoot entirely on location in . The production utilized sites in for many contemporary and sequences, including urban underpasses and street scenes, as well as Penpont House in for period interiors and exteriors. This multi-location approach allowed the film to recreate diverse historical settings—such as 18th- and 19th-century estates and wartime environments—without extensive travel, supporting the script's time-hopping structure across seven eras. Technical aspects emphasized period authenticity on a constrained budget, equivalent to a single episode of a modern , by recycling costumes, props, and sets across timelines. featured elaborate Regency gowns, 1940s military attire, and 1980s power suits, drawing inspiration from the vibrant, theatrical aesthetics of and films to evoke fantastical rather than strictly realistic historical moods. Felicity Hickson and Ryan Eddleston adapted shooting styles for each era, employing composed, painterly framing for 18th-century scenes reminiscent of and more handheld, dynamic camerawork for the 1980s to differentiate the periods visually. Time transitions relied on editing and symbolic motifs rather than elaborate practical effects, enhancing the theme through seamless cuts and recurring visual elements. Challenges arose primarily from the low budget, which limited resources for authentic period recreations, prompting creative efficiencies like reusing actors in multiple roles and props across centuries to maintain narrative cohesion. Director , who also starred as the lead, managed these constraints while incorporating her young children on set, arranging on-site childcare amid the fast-paced schedule, which occasionally extended into personal family logistics like hospital visits. The Welsh crew, supported by funding from Ffilm Cymru and the BFI, proved instrumental in navigating these hurdles, leveraging local expertise for efficient and builds.

Release

Premiere

Timestalker had its world at the (SXSW) Film & TV Festival on 8 March 2024, in . The event featured a curtain speech by writer-director-star , who described the film as a personal vanity project, setting an engaging tone for the screening. Audience reactions at the SXSW were animated, with gasps and squeals during the film's violent and comedic turns, while supporters of Lowe's prior work like responded with cheers. The debut generated notable industry buzz for its bold fusion of , , and elements, drawing attention from distributors and festival programmers. Following SXSW, the film continued its festival run with the Canadian premiere at the 28th on 31 July 2024, in . Its UK premiere occurred at the in August 2024, and the European premiere took place at the later that month, where it competed for the Audience Award. These early screenings built anticipation ahead of wider distribution, highlighting the film's appeal on the international festival circuit.

Distribution

Timestalker received a theatrical release in the and on October 11, 2024, distributed by Vertigo Releasing. In the United States, the film had a limited theatrical rollout on February 14, 2025, handled by Level 33 Entertainment, alongside its on-demand debut. The film became available for digital rental and purchase in the UK and on November 12, 2024, through platforms including Prime Video, , and the , again via Vertigo Releasing. In the , digital availability followed the February 2025 theatrical limited release. Streaming options include , both with subscription and ad-supported tiers. Internationally, distribution has been handled by sales agent , with releases in markets such as , , and as of 2025, though specific theatrical dates beyond the and remain limited for wider European expansion. The film's performance reflects its independent scale, grossing approximately $163,000 internationally, primarily from its opening weekend of $69,551 across 84 screens.

Reception

Critical response

Timestalker received generally positive reviews from critics, who praised its inventive premise and 's as , director, and lead actress. On , the film holds an 87% approval rating based on 47 reviews, with the site's consensus describing it as "a clever and imaginative sophomore feature from director and star " that uses fantasy to explore enduring bad life choices. On , it scores 72 out of 100 from 14 critics, indicating "generally favorable" reception. Critics frequently highlighted Lowe's multifaceted performance, noting her ability to portray across multiple historical eras with comedic versatility and tragic depth. of commended Lowe's "gamut of characters" from the 1680s to the 1980s, calling the film a "darkly hilarious spin through history" that subverts romantic tropes through repeated unrequited obsession. Reviewers also appreciated the sharp wit in deconstructing romance, with Kristy Puchko of describing it as a "demented romp through romance" that annihilates rom-com conventions via bloody . The film's visual period transitions were another point of acclaim, praised for their creative use of costumes, settings, and recurring gags like heart-shaped wigs, evoking influences from and . Some criticisms focused on pacing issues during the time jumps, which could feel rattling or overly concentrated on later eras like the , diminishing the impact of earlier segments. Bradshaw noted that the narrative becomes "messy and loses focus towards the end," with certain scenes feeling fleeting and confusing. Others pointed to an occasional uneven tone between and , where the manic bloodlust and chaotic energy might alienate viewers seeking a more cohesive blend, though Puchko suggested it suits fans of Lowe's prior work like . Wendy Ide's review in echoed these concerns, rating it 2 out of 5 stars and arguing the reincarnation fantasy "repeatedly falls short" in sustaining its ambitious concept.

Accolades

Following its premiere, Timestalker garnered nominations at prominent international festivals. The received a nomination for Best Motion Picture in the New Visions category at the 2024 , recognizing director 's work. In 2025, the earned recognition at the Awards, winning the Best Publicity Campaign award for its promotional efforts by Vertigo Releasing. Rebecca Gore received a commendation in the Best category for her contributions to the 's period-spanning aesthetics. Overall, as of November 2025, accumulated dozens of awards and nominations related to Timestalker across directing, writing, and acting, highlighting the 's impact on her career trajectory.

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