Time Travel is Dangerous (2024)

-Written by Kyle Bain.

Narrated by Stephen Fry, Time Travel is Dangerous follows shop owners Megan (Megan Stevenson) and Ruth (Ruth Syratt) as they embark on an epic journey of time travel in which they struggle to understand the ramifications of their actions—sending the history of the world into a tizzy. Can they right the ship?

Time Travel is Dangerous is thin in its narrative, trying to be existential, but failing to truly captivate viewers in this regard. The opening segment of the film possesses the most power, but that power dissipates from that point on. I remember thinking to myself that the opening montage would be the best part of the entire film, and that the remainder of the film would pale in comparison. I wish I was wrong, but that managed to be the truth. Once the opening sequence had come to a close, I couldn’t have cared less about Time Travel is Dangerous. 

What Time Travel is Dangerous does incredibly well from start to finish, however, is remain cheeky and intelligent in its dialogue. Syratt and Stevenson do an impeccable job of remaining deadpan and delivering the aforementioned lines with vigor and subtle passion. They are the heart and soul of Time Travel is Dangerous as its leads, and their ability to remain present and accessible throughout remains the cornerstone of the production. 

Time Travel is Dangerous can’t quite find its footing, repeatedly pulling the rug out from underneath itself as it travels back and forth, disrupting the fabric of time and its own cohesion. Relatively early in the film I found myself drawn out of it, lacking the ability to care about the leading characters, their journey, and just about anything in between. Viewers need a reason to remain focused, to invest in the film, and I’m not sure that Time Travel is Dangerous ever does that, dismantling its possibility of success even before it began.

A strong performance by Fry, Syratt, and Stevenson, as well as the wittiness of the dialogue are the silver linings present in Time Travel is Dangerous, with little else present to help the production. The narrative lacks vigor and the overall construction of the sci-fi epic feels a bit lackadaisical and incoherent. With unremarkable characters, thin plot lines, and a frumpy structure, Time Travel is Dangerous is ultimately unappealing, incapable of reeling viewers in, and even less capable of keeping us engaged. 

Directed by Chris Reading. 

Written by Chris Reading, Anna-Elizabeth Shakespeare, Hillary Shakespeare, & Ruth Syratt. 

Starring Ruth Syratt, Megan Stevenson, Stephen Fry, Johnny Vegas, Brian Bovell, etc. 

5/10 = WORTH WATCHING, BUT YOU’VE BEEN WARNED