Timestalker

Quirky Brit dark-comedienne Alice Lowe follows her fine writer / director debut "Prevenge" (after previously co-writing "Sightseers") with the ambitious "Timestalker" whose quirkiness disappointingly so out-weighs its dark comedy that it flops, badly. She plays various re-incarnated ladies over several different centuries whose only similarity seems to be that while plagued by Nick Frost their obsessive love for Aeurin Barnard causes their death (as witnessed by Jacob Anderson & Tanya Reynolds). The ultimate point is perhaps known only to Lowe, which may not've mattered if the film was funny... but no it's not - so this is sadly a low for Lowe.

Timestalker 2024 written, directed and starring Alice Lowe.

That's Alice Lowe of Sightseers fame, in which Lowe is the muse and forces her boyfriend to do ghastly acts. Sightseers is one of my favourite films of all time. Lowe is also the writer and star of Prevenge , the gory and funny film about the unborn baby of Lowe's taking over the host and compelling her to do ghastly acts.

So I think we know what to expect? Or do we?

The film has been pushed by a plethora of free tickets, so I hope it isn't so bad that the free tickets are the only way to get bums on seats.

Any way back to the film ... there was a lovely introduction by Alice herself, letting us all know that we could have a laugh if we wanted. Although the laughter wasn't compulsory she advised.

The premise of the film is Lowe's quest for her one true love over time, alas her love is unrequited. Lowe coming to an ultimately end before her bequeathed was often aware.

Jumping through the centuries, the 80s being the funniest with an Adam Ant lookalike being the object for Alice's affection. The actors throw a few good dance moves, name check to Propaganda's Duel sounding great over the cinemas sound system.

There's some funny moments, but overall it's a bit disjointed and might work better as a tv series, featuring the time stalking over more detailed half hour segments.

That said it does come across a bit like Highlander in its time travelling across time periods.

Oh I forgot to say I did laugh a couple of times, initially after the first ghastly death, but it did peter out after that .

Sorry Alice

6/10.

Agnes (Alice Lowe) has lived many lives, in 1680s Scotland, in 1790s England, in 1840s Britain, in 1980s New York, and more. And in every life, she meets the one man (Aneurin Barnard) whom she is destined to be with - but just as they are meeting, something dreadful happens and she dies. Until she meets him again in the next life, that is....

Alice Lowe wrote, directed and stars in this film, which is quite funny and which has lovely supporting characters played by Jacob Anderson, Nick Frost and Tanya Reynolds, who like Agnes all have just one name throughout the film (unlike the love of her life who goes by different names in each incarnation). You might think the premise would get a bit repetitive over time, and it does, but there are enough differences of setting and methods of living and/or dying that those repetitions didn't bother me. If you believe in reincarnation and love as destiny, then this movie is for you; if you don't, you'll understand why the film is titled as it is. Recommended.

The concept was a good one but failed in its execution, At the same time the acting was surprisingly good - at least up to the point I fell asleep and had to rewatch 30 minutes, The script was mediocre, the title misleading.

Watchable visually in terms of changing scenes and time periods and entertaining in parts for sure, with a few early laughs, but ultimately it turned into a yawn fest, like one of those experimental worthy Channel 4 movies circa 1983.

If it's supposed to be a comedy it's not funny enough. If it's supposed to be romantic, it isn't in the slightest. If it's supposed to sci-fi, it's low-fi. Odd for the sake of it and the gore is unnecessary when portraying the main character dying over and over again., Subtlety would have worked better. Could have been a genuine cult classic but missed the target, if you pardon the knife-throwing pun : A lost opportunity that turned into a mish-mash.

Based on an interesting and fun premise, the idea of love/infatuation transcending time and multiple lives, this movie is enjoyable and benefits from some good performances. It is let down by its lack of budget and often looks and feels like a film. The decision to set the latter part in New York seems a strange one as the scenery never looks or feels like New York and ends up being a bit jarring.

Alice Lowe gives a strong performance as the lead character trying to understand and navigate the memories of multiple lives and her obsession with a man who never seems to have any idea who she is.

If you enjoyed Lowe's previous movies, Sightseers and Prevenge, you'll enjoy this.