'Time Cut' review: Teen slasher is a waste of time

Courtesy of Netflix

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Positioned as a blend of “Back to the Future” and “Scream,” Netflix’s latest teen slasher, “Time Cut,” unfortunately fails to deliver, especially in the waning days of the Halloween season. This is surprising, given that screenwriter Michael Kennedy previously explored the slasher genre with the inventive “Freaky” in 2020—a film that successfully merged horror elements with the body-swap concept in a delightfully entertaining way that didn’t shy away from bloodshed.

Sadly, “Time Cut” lacks the Vince Vaughn factor and, worse, discards many hallmarks of the slasher genre. If you’re wondering, “Didn’t I just watch a time-traveling slasher movie?” The answer is yes. That film was “Totally Killer,” which premiered on Prime last year to lukewarm reception. At least “Totally Killer” embraced its slasher roots, featuring grisly deaths and dismemberments. In contrast, director Hannah Macpherson opts for a more grounded narrative focused on two sisters trying to rewrite their past and future, largely forsaking horror elements. Deep down, there’s the seed of a better movie that could achieve a compelling balance.

The film opens in 2003, with “What’s Luv” by Fat Joe quickly setting the stage. Unfortunately, it fails to establish any defining characteristics of the era beyond its soundtrack, which includes tracks by Michelle Branch and Avril Lavigne. We witness the murder of Summer (Antonia Gentry), one of four victims killed by the Sweetly Slasher. Fast forward to 2024, where Lucy (Madison Bailey), born after the killings, seeks to escape her isolated home life, where her parents are shut off from the outside world.

For reasons that are poorly explained and ultimately unimportant in the context of the film, Summer stumbles upon a mysterious machine emitting beeping noises and flashing lights. Instead of investigating, she presses a button and is whisked back to 2003, on the same day the murders occur, during the height of Hilary Duff and Paris Hilton’s popularity. Her mission is to thwart the Sweetly Slasher’s rampage and save her sister from a grim fate.

It’s a solid premise that sadly lacks ambition and creative spark. The time machine mechanics are poorly rendered, the logistics of the killer’s spree are unclear, and the chemistry between Bailey and Gentry falls flat. The script also dedicates a significant amount of time to exploring a potential butterfly effect paradox, which feels like a tired cliché. I did find it amusing that, to prove she’s from the future, Lucy shows someone her iPhone and its capabilities, prompting the response, “This must cost a million dollars.”

“Time Cut” unfortunately carries the vibe of a scrapped made-for-TV movie, struggling with its identity. It’s neither tongue-in-cheek enough to be a true homage to “Back to the Future,” nor does it possess the satirical edge or bloody thrills of the “Scream” franchise. Ultimately, it feels off-kilter and, worse, unengaging. I appreciate silly slasher films, but if you’re in the mood for one while scrolling through Netflix, I recommend opting for the “Fear Street” trilogy over this easily forgettable late October offering.

Grade: D

TIME CUT is now streaming on Netflix.