The Netflix horror movie Time Cut tells the story of science-loving teenager Lucy Field (Madison Bailey) who has always heard about the disturbing death of her sister Lucy (Antonia Gentry), who was killed by the Sweetly Slasher in 2003. After traveling back to 2003, Lucy sets out to right this wrong and learns a lot of lessons in the process.
Although I was skeptical about the time travel premise of this movie, I loved Time Cut and think it’s worth watching for anyone who is a fan of horror, time travel stories, or revisiting the 2000s. There are many reasons why I enjoyed watching Time Cut, and I think it’s a great choice for fans of the horror genre looking for some entertainment as Halloween wraps up.
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Why I Loved The Netflix Horror Movie Time Cut
I was pleasantly surprised by the Netflix horror movie Time Cut because I found Lucy, Summer, and Quinn (Griffin Gluck) to be charming, endearing, and sweet characters. They bond because they realize that they have all felt lonely, insecure, and misunderstood. Lucy has been searching for someone who appreciates her since she has been living in the shadow of her sister’s tragic and disturbing death, and Quinn has pined for Summer while wondering if he will ever have a real friend. Sure, the terrifying killer in this slasher movie may be in the background of the entire story, but the real focus is on these three compelling characters.
I also appreciated that Time Cut features an LGBTQ+ love story, as there needs to be more representation in the horror genre. Summer and Emmy (Megan Best) are in love, and Emmy wrote Summer a letter expressing her pain over Summer keeping their relationship a secret. Time Cut is a horror movie with a memorable love story and I’m so glad that Lucy saves Summer, which means that Summer and Emmy can be together.
I also can’t help but find the 2000s setting of Time Cut charming. I was a teenager in the mid-2000s and enjoyed the nostalgic throwback of seeing crop tops, Ugg boots, and hearing hit singles like “Complicated” by Avril Lavigne and “A Thousand Miles” by Vanessa Carlton. I loved when Lucy visits her high school in 2003 and is shocked by the fashion. And I thought it was smart and fun to include the Hilary Duff song “So Yesterday” in that scene. Time Cut captured the energy of this time period perfectly. This is a movie that really leans into its setting and atmosphere.
Although I was originally skeptical of how Time Cut would discuss time travel, since this can be corny and illogical, I like how Quinn talks about paradoxes. As we saw in the shocking ending of The Butterfly Effect, someone can’t alter one part of their history without ruining some other parts. Lucy shows her bravery and selflessness when she decides that she would rather save Summer than save herself.
Sure, the ending of Time Cut might be a little corny, and some might question how Lucy can stay in 2003. But I think it’s okay to enjoy this peaceful ending and be glad that Summer and Lucy get to be the sisters that they never could be.
What Did Time Cut’s Director Hannah Macpherson Say About The Movie?
Director Hannah Macpherson has talked about the themes of Time Cut in several interviews, including the emotional journey that Lucy and Summer go on. She told Comingsoon.net that she liked “the sister relationship” when she read the screenplay, which was written by Michael Kennedy. She explained;
“It was like this love story of two sisters who are torn apart by time and violence, and to see them come together and then both have to sort of come to terms with what they would be willing to sacrifice for the other, it just broke my heart.”
Macpherson explained that the tragedies that some families unfortunately experience aren’t often part of a slasher movie’s storyline, which is why I like Time Cut so much. It’s true that although there is a long list of amazing slasher movies out there, they can focus on more superficial aspects of the main character’s lives. Like Scream and Halloween talk about the trauma of being a final girl, Time Cut discusses what happens when someone learns that everything they thought about their life wasn’t actually true. Although Lucy must have guessed that her parents decided to have her because they were mourning the loss of their daughter, Lucy is shocked to find out her mom and dad only wanted one child. She has to come to terms with the fact that she wouldn’t have existed if not for Summer’s violent and dark death. That’s not an easy thing to think about, that’s for sure.
After watching Time Cut on Netflix, I look forward to seeing what other horror movies Michael Kennedy might write, along with what other projects Hannah Macpherson will work on next.
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