I just walked out of the theater and honestly, I'm still processing. My head is buzzing with all these timelines and connections. It's one of those movies that doesn't give you easy answers—I kept thinking about that final shot of the river while I was driving home. Part of me feels strangely hopeful, but another part is just... contemplative. It's not an action-packed thrill ride, but it definitely left an imprint. I keep replaying that moment with Kate McKinnon's character in the desert in my mind.
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What's In the Blink of an Eye About?
The movie weaves together three separate stories from different time periods—one in the distant past, one in what feels like the present day, and one far in the future. It's less about a traditional plot and more about exploring how small moments and decisions echo across centuries, connecting people in ways they never see. Think of it as a sci-fi drama about the threads of life itself.
What Works in In the Blink of an Eye
- ✓ Kate McKinnon's performance was a revelation. I've only seen her in comedies, but her quiet, grounded work here as a future historian was deeply moving and completely believable.
- ✓ The visual concept of 'threads' connecting the timelines was stunning. There's a scene where it's visualized as golden light, and it gave me literal chills.
- ✓ The score was subtle but powerful. It never told you how to feel, but it amplified the emotion of the quieter moments perfectly.
- ✓ The runtime is tight. At 94 minutes, it says what it needs to say without overstaying its welcome or becoming pretentious.
What Doesn't Work
- ✗ The middle storyline, with Rashida Jones, felt a bit underdeveloped compared to the others. I wanted to spend more time with her character's emotional journey.
- ✗ The philosophical dialogue sometimes tipped over into being a little too on-the-nose. A character literally says 'we're all connected' at one point.
- ✗ The ancient timeline moves very slowly. It's beautiful to look at, but I caught my mind wandering once or twice before it linked back to the other stories.
Standout Moments & Performances
There's a scene where the future character, played by McKinnon, is reviewing archival footage from our present. She sees a simple, mundane act of kindness between two strangers, and the realization that hits her—that this tiny moment created a ripple—was so profound. I actually got a bit teary. Another moment that stuck with me is a silent sequence where all three timelines visually intersect during a storm. The editing and sound design there were masterful; I held my breath. And Jorge Vargas has a monologue near the end about planting a tree whose shade he'll never sit under—that line is going to stay with me.
Main Cast: Kate McKinnon, Rashida Jones, Daveed Diggs, Jorge Vargas, Tanaya Beatty
Direction, Music & Visuals
Andrew Stanton's direction is confident and patient. He trusts the audience to make the connections without hammering them over the head. The cinematography is the real star—each timeline has its own distinct color palette and texture, from the earthy tones of the past to the sleek, cool blues of the future. It's gorgeous to look at. The performances are uniformly strong, with Daveed Diggs bringing a weary warmth to his role that I loved. The music is sparse but effective, using silence as powerfully as sound. It's clearly a filmmaker's film, crafted with a lot of intention.
Director: Andrew Stanton
Genres: Drama, Science Fiction
Who Should Watch In the Blink of an Eye?
This is perfect for viewers who love thoughtful, idea-driven sci-fi like 'Arrival' or 'The Fountain'. If you enjoy movies that make you think about big questions—time, legacy, human connection—and don't mind a slower, more meditative pace, you'll find a lot to love here. It's also great for anyone who appreciates beautiful cinematography and layered performances over fast-paced action.
Who Might Want to Skip?
If you're looking for a plot-heavy sci-fi adventure with clear explanations and lots of spectacle, this isn't it. Skip it if you prefer straightforward narratives or get frustrated by movies that are more about mood and theme than a driving story.
Final Verdict
I would definitely recommend it, but with the right expectations. It's not a perfect film—the middle sags a bit—but its ambitions are huge and its heart is in the right place. The emotional payoff in the final act genuinely moved me. I don't know if I'd watch it again next week, but I can see myself revisiting it in a year or two to catch the connections I missed. It's a 7.5 for me—flawed, but beautifully so, and it accomplished what it set out to do: it made me feel connected to something bigger.
