Joseph and Sidney, who are not on good terms with each other, carefully plan and execute a tense robbery at the beginning of Things Will Be Different. The two are in desperate need of help; hence they take refuge in a deserted dilapidated farm house which turns out to be more than just a hideout.
The isolated farmhouse has clues that lead them to a weird ritual involving grandfather clocks and an old-fashioned telephone. This is how they end up fifteen days into the future because of these strange actions. They thought their plan was simple: go underground for two weeks until all the police investigations end before making it home safely but their future turns out to be something else.
Firstly, life inside the mansion is calm; even though it seems too calm. The fridge fills itself again, time stops, and for a moment they bond as siblings again. However, strange and increasingly horrific things come to light as Day 14 approaches: strange stains made by blood spillages, bodies where there should not be any and messages from an unknown force that appears to watch or control them.
The siblings find themselves stuck in a time warp, which is staged by an unknown person who uses the tape recorder to make them do certain mysterious tasks that will set them free. The hideout has turned into a pressure pot of paranoia, existential anguish and emotional confrontation.
Joseph and Sidney must face up to uncomfortable truths, deep secrets they have harbored for so long and the essence of their connection as the loop persists while sanity slips away. Before it’s too late, they will have to learn about house rules and more importantly discover themselves.
🧑🎭 Cast & Crew
Main Cast
Adam David Thompson as Joseph – A hardened brooding brother with a haunted past. His stoic presence anchors the film’s tension.
Riley Dandy as Sidney – A woman driven by guilt and desperation emotionally complex and fiercely resilient in her role.
Supporting Cast
Sarah Bolger and Chloe Skoczen make brief but atmospheric appearances contributing to the uncanny world surrounding the farmhouse.
Crew
Director & Writer: Michael Felker makes a bold debut here previously known for his work as an editor; this background influences the film’s tight structure and immersive rhythm.
Producers: Shane Spiegel, Jacob Rosenthal, and Michael Felker are producing through Rustic Films and Last Life banners.
Co-edited by Felker and Rebeca Marques, the film’s pacing and time loop sequences benefit heavily from precise, methodical editing.
Both the limited theatrical release and digital distribution for Magnet Releasing was responsible for launching the film in October 2024.
📊 IMDb Ratings & Reception
As it stands, Things Will Be Different has a place in the ratings that is neither low nor too high.
IMDb Rating: Approximately 6.5/10 – indicating mixed audience reaction with some praising its intellectual plot while others complained about its slowness.
However, Rotten Tomatoes revealed a critics rating of 81% compared to an audience score of 42%. Critics applauded the films’ thematic ambition and performances whereas many viewers found the plot obscure or challenging to follow.
Critical Highlights
Many critics hail its atmospheric nature, strong performances and emotional resonances among other things often comparing it favorably to other minimalist sci-fi thrillers.
On the other hand, several negative reviews have mentioned its slow pace, lack of exposition, and an ending that offers no easy answers.
Reviewers constantly emphasize that emotionally speaking chemistry between two leads becomes the heart of this movie making even such a theoretically “cold” concept as time travel sentient.
🧠 In‑Depth Analysis
Strengths
Lead Performances: Thompson and Dandy are fully committed. Their performances carry emotional weight and depth, particularly as the tension between them evolves into genuine affection and mutual understanding.
Atmosphere: The film’s eerie farmhouse setting and minimalist sound design create a sense of dread without relying on jump scares. The silence becomes a character in itself.
Narrative Ambiguity: Felker plays with time and perspective. The film’s refusal to explain everything up front engages the viewer on a more analytical level.
Editing and Structure: The editing builds a rhythm that mimics the sensation of looping time. Viewers are never quite sure what’s changed or repeated—adding to the tension.
Weaknesses
Slow Burn: The film can feel sluggish, especially in the middle third, with minimal plot advancement and repetition that, while thematically appropriate, may test viewer patience.
Limited World-Building: Those expecting a traditional sci-fi explanation may be disappointed. The “rules” of the time loop are intentionally vague.
Low Budget Constraints: The sparse cast and limited settings help focus the story but may leave some viewers craving more scale or visual flair.
Themes & Style
Time as Trauma: Time is not merely a fictional construct here but an embodiment of emotional stasis. The siblings are trapped not only in time but also in unresolved guilt, mourning and mistrust.
Family and Redemption: The story is about sibling reconciliation. They must confront past betrayals and reveal them before they can escape—literally and metaphorically.
Minimalism as Storytelling: Through the limited cast, remote setting, and naturalistic audio the film increases its claustrophobic impact. Every creak, shadow, or silence feels weighted with significance.
Surrealism Over Science: Instead of explaining how the time loop works mechanically, the movie embraces its dream-like nature. Like a waking nightmare, the events defy fixed meanings.
Final Verdict
Things Will Be Different combines minimalist sci-fi with slow-burn thriller and emotional drama resulting into provocative piece of art. It is not notable for flashy visuals or intricate world-building; instead it stands out due to its raw performances and haunting atmosphere.
Every person may not like this movie. Some will consider it slow or too enigmatic while other may find it difficult to understand at all. Nonetheless for those who value psychological subtlety, metaphysical conundrums, and restrained storytelling this film is a rare gem—suggestive, inscrutable yet charged emotionally-wise.
Michael Felker’s film is his first one, and though it doesn’t always live up to its ambitions, it deserves a place in the history of science fiction independent movies.
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