Relax, I’m From the Future (Fantasia 2022 Film Review)

Every time travel film ever has always struggled with the laws and logic of the actual science. Sometimes to the point where you lose sight of the story being told and end up confused and disappointed. Time travel does come with its own issues and if it not the main focus, can ruin a great film. Relax, I'm From the Future quickly dispels the annoying and distracting elements that come with this subject and we are left to enjoy the comedic characters and excellent stylings of Rhys Darby who very easily steals the film. It really doesn't matter whether the filmmakers have got time travel ‘right', what's more important is that we have a good time watching it play out.

Time travelling from the future, Casper crash lands in the present but don't worry, he has a plan. Quickly realising he might not be as well equipped to survive he by chance meets Holly, a disillusioned activist on a break. After convincing her that he is from the future, by also implicating future famous cartoonist Percy, Holly agrees to help him with his plan. But elsewhere in the present Doris is eliminating time travellers as they arrive and becomes intent on tracking Casper down and fixing the chaos he causes along the way.

According to the film, there are only 100 or so people in the world that matters really does take the pressure off the time travel paradox. This gives the story room to cause chaos and no worry that the story will become convoluted. Casper basically begins setting up the bunker of his dreams, collecting rare items and saving up samples of the past to be found later in the future. Classing himself as a historian, he is fascinated by everyday items, such as those in retirement homes. He enlists Holly in his making money scheme by using lottery tickets and betting on sports games, giving her an income and him security. We also hear continuously that Casper has a plan but when we finally find out it is, the story does deflate slightly, feeling a bit like an anti-climax. However, his bizarre motives and the appearance of his future self is hilarious and stone cold at the same time, you can't help but laugh at these dark comedic moments.

Rhys Darby really is the key to how fantastic the film is. He's a charming and cheerful type but with a matter-of-fact attitude and doesn't blink twice when telling someone about their devastating fate. But this is really a two hander with Gabrielle Graham as Holly who is a perfect match with Darby. As the grounded character throughout the story, she begins by declaring that nothing matters, she's lost her fight. So, when the opportunity to make money and help this odd man from the future comes along, she takes it. But underneath her lazy exterior, she needs a cause to get her going and preventing the end of the world is exactly what she needs. She's the moral compass to Casper's unhinged by the book time traveller.

As an excellent mix of comedy and science fiction, neither overwhelms the other genre, even with the odd friendship paring and doomsday looming. Relax, I'm From the Future is on the lighter side of the Fantasia Film Festival, offering a break from the horror and the gore, the film is great fun and not to be missed.

Relax, I'm From the Future screened at this year's Fantasia Film Festival