By Valerie Milano
Palm Springs, CA (The Hollywood Times) 2/7/25 –
Director: Alice Lowe
Starring: Alice Lowe, Aneurin Barnard, Tanya Reynolds, Nick Frost
Genre: Dark Comedy, Fantasy, Romance
Alice Lowe’s Timestalker is a wickedly inventive, genre-blending odyssey that cements her status as one of the most original voices in British cinema. Known for her darkly comedic sensibilities in Prevenge, Lowe takes another bold creative leap, this time spinning a reincarnation-fueled love story that stretches across centuries with her signature mix of wit, horror, and absurdity.
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At its core, Timestalker follows the doomed romantic misadventures of Agnes (Lowe), a woman cursed to pursue the same elusive love interest (Aneurin Barnard) through different time periods—from medieval Scotland to the Wild West and beyond. With each reincarnation, Agnes’ infatuation leads her into hilariously tragic consequences, reinforcing the film’s central theme: love, fate, and the inevitability of self-destruction.
(Ludovic Robert/HanWay)
Lowe, as both director and star, infuses the film with a uniquely anarchic energy. Her sharp comedic timing and fearless physicality make Agnes an endearing, if hopelessly misguided, protagonist. Barnard shines as the ever-changing yet strangely familiar object of her affections, while the supporting cast—including Tanya Reynolds and Nick Frost—adds layers of comedic brilliance and surreal charm.
Visually, Timestalker is a treat. The film revels in its playful period shifts, embracing an offbeat, DIY aesthetic reminiscent of Monty Python or Terry Gilliam’s work. The humor is delightfully absurd yet never loses sight of the film’s deeper emotional undercurrents—exploring themes of obsession, identity, and whether we’re truly bound to repeat our past mistakes.
Lowe’s direction is confident and unapologetically quirky, balancing slapstick comedy with moments of genuine pathos. The script is fast-paced and filled with razor-sharp dialogue, ensuring that even when the narrative takes bizarre turns, it remains endlessly engaging.
While Timestalker won’t be for everyone—its surreal humor and episodic structure may challenge mainstream audiences—it’s a refreshing antidote to formulaic romantic comedies. Fans of Lowe’s previous work, as well as lovers of offbeat, high-concept cinema, will find much to admire.
In an era where originality in filmmaking is often overshadowed by franchise fatigue, Timestalker stands out as a gleefully unpredictable ride through time, love, and fate. Alice Lowe proves once again that she is a filmmaker to watch—bold, hilarious, and completely unafraid to take storytelling risks.