Science fiction and horror are often closely connected, which is why there is a subgenre known as sci-fi horror. When people think of the scariest science fiction movies, films like Alien, Event Horizon, and Nope come to mind. These movies understand that, beyond how frightening a technological advancement might be, the human element always resonates the most with an audience.
Michael Felker, who wrote and directed Things Will Be Different, clearly kept this in mind when creating his debut film. Released in 2024, Things Will Be Different is a visually impressive horror film with a classic science fiction plot. However, the film is most effective in its ability to connect with the audience emotionally, making the horror more real.
The Plot of Things Will Be Different
After a bank robbery goes wrong, estranged siblings Joseph (played by Adam David Thompson) and Sidney (played by Riley Dandy) come up with an unusual plan to escape. With the police chasing after them, Joseph leads Sidney to a remote farmhouse. Inside the farmhouse, there is a closet that acts as a portal to alternate timelines.
According to a notebook they find, all they need to do is follow the instructions, and they can escape into a new timeline, free from the police. Unfortunately, when they attempt to return to their original timeline, they face bigger problems than simply being arrested.
The basic premise of Things Will Be Different is pure science fiction. The idea of traveling to an alternate timeline to avoid problems is an interesting twist on the classic science fiction genre. However, this easy fix quickly turns into a nightmare, transitioning the film into the horror genre.
The siblings soon realize that their actions in one timeline have serious consequences in another. This is where the film becomes both thrilling and frightening. The science fiction plot sets up the stage, but it is the horror elements that truly capture the audience’s attention.
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Emotional Drama Drives the Story
From the very beginning, there is an emotional undercurrent that runs throughout the film. The strained relationship between Joseph and Sidney is a crucial aspect of the story. This emotional drama serves as the backbone for the shift from sci-fi to horror.
Joseph and Sidney’s relationship is tense, and it’s surprising to see them working together to escape the police. The performances of Thompson and Dandy are restrained yet full of emotion. Their characters’ complex feelings toward each other create a sense of realism. As the siblings travel through alternate timelines, the growing tension between them adds to the suspense.
Joseph is determined to repair their broken relationship, while Sidney is desperately trying to return to her daughter. This emotional depth isn’t just there to make the audience feel sympathy for the characters; it also plays an important role in explaining the science fiction elements of the story.
Sidney’s strong desire to get back to her daughter leads to the introduction of rules for time travel. These rules, which are essential for understanding the plot, also introduce the horror aspects of the film.
For example, one rule warns the characters not to stray too far in the alternate timelines. A boundary drawn in blood serves as a chilling reminder of the consequences for breaking this rule.
As the horror intensifies, the audience feels every moment of fear and tension. The stakes feel personal, as if Joseph and Sidney are members of the audience’s own family. The strong emotional connection between the siblings makes the audience care about their safety.
The fear is not just about the scary things in the alternate timeline, but about the potential loss of the bond between the characters. Felker’s direction successfully ties together all the different genres—science fiction, horror, and drama—creating a unique and compelling film.
The Cinematic Beauty of Things Will Be Different
Things Will Be Different is a slow-burning, psychological horror film. The isolation the siblings experience in the alternate universe is captured beautifully by the cinematography. The farmhouse, where most of the film takes place, is desolate and cold, adding to the sense of fear and loneliness.
Long, lingering shots of the surroundings give the audience a sense of the slow passage of time. The house is full of outdated items, like dial-up phones and VCRs, creating a feeling of being trapped in the past. The space feels claustrophobic, increasing the tension as the siblings struggle to figure out how to escape.
The cinematography does more than just show how isolated the characters are. It also reminds the viewer that, although the characters are stuck in one place, time is still moving forward. This creates a feeling of unease, as the characters are unable to escape from the passage of time.
The slow pace of the film makes every moment feel heavy. The visual style adds to the horror, as every corner of the farmhouse and every quiet moment builds the tension.
Despite being trapped in an alternate universe, the siblings are not alone. They face strange, unfriendly forces in the parallel world, which forces them to confront even bigger problems. The tension between the siblings grows as they realize that the time they are spending together is only making things worse.
Sidney is eager to return to her daughter, no matter the cost, while Joseph’s motives for bringing them to the farmhouse are suspicious. This creates an ongoing sense of mystery throughout the film. The audience is constantly questioning what the characters are really after and whether they can trust each other.
The Unfolding Puzzle of Things Will Be Different
As the film progresses, it becomes clear that Things Will Be Different is not just a simple story of time travel and horror. It’s a complex puzzle that slowly unfolds. Each new timeline they enter brings a new set of rules and dangers.
The film is filled with twists and turns, keeping the audience on the edge of their seats. The questions about the siblings’ past, their motives, and the consequences of their actions only deepen as the story moves forward.
The emotional connection between the siblings, combined with the eerie atmosphere and the suspenseful plot, makes this a movie that audiences will want to watch again. There are layers to the story that become clearer with each viewing, and the unsettling feeling of being stuck in an alternate timeline stays with the viewer long after the film ends.
A Strong Directorial Debut
Things Will Be Different is a bold and impressive debut from director Michael Felker. He successfully combines the intimacy of a family drama with the complexity of science fiction and the thrills of horror.
Creating a story that shows both the emotional lives of the characters and the strange rules of time travel takes great skill. Felker has crafted a film that is both thought-provoking and terrifying.
The movie offers something for everyone. There is chilling horror, mind-bending psychological twists, complex time travel elements, and heart-wrenching family drama.
Things Will Be Different is a unique film that proves Felker has a bright future ahead of him. Fans of science fiction, horror, and drama will find much to appreciate in this film, and they should keep an eye on Felker’s future work.
