Horror flick Time Cut misses the mark with time travel on Netflix

Too all of the slasher film nerds who enjoy Scream or You're Next, Netflix's October 30 release Time Cut, directed by Hannah MacPherson, adds in the sci-fi element of time travel to the formula. The main cast features Madison Bailey, who plays Lucy; Antonia Gentry, who plays Summer; and Griffin Gluck, who plays Quinn. The film centers around Lucy, who stumbles upon a time machine and ends up back in April 16, 2003, a few days before her sister and a few of her friends are killed by a masked serial killer.

I am a fan of slasher films that loop in elements of sci-fi and time travel, like in the Happy Death Day series. I was ready to see a newer film that intertwines sci-fi with horror and to see some gruesome kills. Did Time Cut give me what I wanted?

The movie begins in a town called Sweetly on April 18, 2003, at a senior spring fling celebration at a barn dance party where a mysterious killer in a mask stalks and kills Summer. This was the final murder from a serial killer who also killed Summer’s friends Emmy, Brian, and Val. The audience is then whisked to the present day as Lucy, Summer’s younger sister, narrates that the slasher went on a three-day killing spree. Lucy wasn't born at the time. She says even though the murders took place over 20 years ago, tragedy still hangs over the town, especially since the murders were never solved. Every year on the anniversary of their deaths, she is reminded that one single moment in time can change everything.

We find out that Lucy was offered an internship at NASA. While paying respects with her parents at a memorial dedicated to Summer, Lucy discovers a time machine and ends up back in April 2003, days before her sister was killed. Lucy goes to her high school and asks her physics teacher what he thinks about time traveling. Quinn, a student in the class, overhears her question. Quinn warns her it’s a terrible idea as it could create paradoxes. Afterwards, Quinn becomes a victim of a senior prank. Lucy interferes with the prank and after that, Lucy tells Quinn she is from the future.

He remains skeptical but eventually believes her. Lucy enlists Quinn's help with the time machine since he is good at physics and asks if he would change things if he knew something bad was going to happen. She then tells Quinn that one of the murder victims was his friend Summer. Later, when Summer learns what is about to happen, Quinn and Summer both say, “We are not altering the future. We are just giving it a little makeover.”

Time Cut review

As the movie progressed, I was disappointed with the lack of suspense leading up to the murders. There was much more in the Happy Death Day series. I understand that Time Cut is rated PG-13, but I we didn't even get any jump scares. It's a slasher movie for crying out loud.

The pacing of the movie is also off. I enjoyed the first 30 minutes of the film, but as the story developed and the murders started happening, I became disinterested. I am a fan of nostalgia and time travel, which were elements the film got right with the Y2K style. For example, Fat Joe and Ashanti’s song “What’s Luv?” plays at the dance in the beginning, and Wheatus’ “Teenage Dirtbag” is playing when Summer gives Lucy a makeover. Another nostalgic element is the outfits, showing high schoolers wearing Heelys and Ugg-like boots. However, what did not make sense to me was how Summer did not question who Lucy was and where she came from, especially when Summer invited her over for dinner with her parents and had a sleepover.

The film later confuses viewers with the elements of time travel. Some things don’t make sense, especially regarding characters and their future selves determining who the killer is. Time Cut is best geared for a tween audience. This film misses the mark with the logistics of time travel. You'd be better off watching Stewie and Brian time travel in a number of episodes from Family Guy if you want a clear explanation of how it works.

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