Seven years ago, Alice Lowe released her debut film Preventwhich she shot while pregnant. It is about a pregnant widow who is convinced that her unborn child is forcing her to go on a killing spree.
It was every bit as brilliant as this unique concept promised (it’s available on Prime Video if you haven’t seen it yet), and we’re desperate to see what Lowe would do next. We had to wait a while, but thankfully Time Stalker was worth it.
The historical sci-fi romantic comedy, which had its UK premiere at the Edinburgh International Film Festival, is another imaginative and truly unique work from Lowe, establishing her as one of Britain’s most exciting filmmakers.
Time Stalker begins in 1688 in western Scotland, where we meet Agnes (Lowe), who falls madly in love with the shady preacher Alex (Aneurin Barnard), just as he is about to be executed.
Giving away what happens next would rob the film of its first big laugh, but we can say that this isn’t the only version of Agnes we get to know. As the film jumps through different eras, including rural England in the 1790s and Manhattan in the 1980s, Agnes constantly finds herself drawn to the version of Alex from that era.
But are the two destined to stay together forever, or is there something more to it? And why, no matter what era Agnes is in, does she keep encountering variations of her best friend Meg (Tanya Reynolds) and potential stalker George (Nick Frost)?
The joy of Time Stalker is along for the wild ride Lowe has planned, so we won’t spoil that here either.
If you are familiar with Lowe’s previous written work, Time StalkerThe dark humor won’t surprise you, but otherwise be prepared. It may be romantic and also a comedy, but it’s not a superficial romantic comedy. There’s a compelling mix of dry humor, very silly (and very British) humor, and some pitch-black, bloody laughs too.
This also affects the plot, because while Alex may be the object of Agnes’ affection, he is no Mr. Darcy – he is quite an asshole. Time Stalker was not a traditional romantic comedy in terms of concept and also extends to the central “love” story.
But don’t let that fool you into thinking this is just a comedy. Lowe may have her fun at the expense of Agnes and her particular choice of men, but she brings real pathos to Agnes in both performance and writing. The final act of Time Stalker has a familiar message, but is still beautifully crafted.
The production and costume design are excellent throughout, successfully evoking multiple eras while keeping within a British indie budget. Craft-wise, it is a step forward compared to Prevent for Lowe, fitting the more ambitious scope of Time Stalker.
The film’s success rests on Lowe, both in front of and behind the camera, but she also has a great feel for the cast. Barnard has great fun in the various versions of Alex, particularly enjoying his ’80s pop star era, with Nick Frost, Tanya Reynolds and Jacob Anderson providing strong support to the ensemble.
Time Stalker is the most unique British film of the year and also one of the best British films of 2024 to date. Let’s hope Alice Lowe doesn’t make us wait another seven years for her next film.
Time Stalker will be released in cinemas in the UK and Ireland on October 18th.
Film Editor, Digital Spy Ian has over 10 years’ experience as a writer and editor in film journalism. He started as an intern at industry bible Screen International and was promoted to report on and analyse UK box office results. He has also carved out his own niche covering horror films, attending genre festivals around the world. After moving to Digital Spy, initially as a TV writer, he was nominated for New Digital Talent of the Year at the PPA Digital Awards. In 2019 he became Film Editor, a role in which he has interviewed hundreds of stars including Chris Hemsworth, Florence Pugh, Keanu Reeves, Idris Elba and Olivia Colman, become a human encyclopedia for Marvel and appeared as an expert on BBC News and on stage at MCM Comic-Con. He continues to push his horror agenda wherever he can – whether his editor likes it or not.
