People are saying underrated 2011 movie perfectly predicts the world today

Steve Hopkins

‘This movie is more relevant now than ever, seriously underrated’

A little-known movie staring Cillian Murphy and Justin Timberlake from 2011 is being held up as an accurate prediction of the the world we live in today.

In Time, written and directed by Andrew Niccol, and also featuring Amanda Seyfried and Olivia Wilde, was released more than a decade ago and was never a critical hit but some suggested with “a little more care and attention” it could have been “one for the ages”.

The movie is set in a future where time is money and only the wealthy can live forever – on one lives past 25 – so chimes well with the present day where the Conservatives are making it increasingly difficult for anyone other than their big-business mates to live a long and happy life.

The time has passed for young people to buy homes, and it is getting increasingly harder to even afford to turn on the heating, let alone afford avocados.

Will Salas (Timberlake) is a poor man, In Time, who rarely has more than a day’s worth of life on his time clock when he saves Henry Hamilton (Matt Bomer) from time thieves.

For that, Timberlake is gifted a century.

Naturally, such a big gift attracts the attention of authorities, and when Will is falsely accused of murder, he must go on the run, taking the daughter (Seyfried) of an incredibly wealthy man with him.

The two then form an alliance and fight to take down the system and save the world.

The film has a modest IMDb rating of 6.7/10 and wasn’t exactly a smash hit with just two award nominees – both of which Timberlake was nominated for. On Rotten Tomatoes it has an audience score of 51 per cent, and the critics liked it even less.

Critics largely panned it: “There’s nothing more precious than time. For that reason alone, I’ll encourage you not to waste yours this weekend and avoid In Time.”

Another was more favourable: “Overall this film isn’t heavy sci fi but it is a pretty fun ride and good sci fi film with some good use of themes and concepts that are resonating with current goings on in the world.”

The YouTube trailer is still raking in the comments.

“I love this movie one of my top 5’s easily and I don’t care what anyone says.”

Another, wrote more thoughtfully: “In my opinion this movie is great, makes u think. Everyone knows, ‘time is money’ literally. No work equals no pay. And even though people are struggling to live, you notice that there are no one (sic) wasting time doing nothing or at home or not working. Everyone is working so they can eat. Yes as usual there are thief’s (sic) and criminal but no one is home on the phone like what am doing now or playing video or on any social media platforms. We don’t even want to get out of bed in the morning or we all dragging our feet to get ready and leave the home. People in the movie have to constantly watch their time and move fast. They all working hard so they all do not time out. Makes you not want to waste time right.”

Others alluded to the movie’s deeper meaning and compared it to what is happening in society today, with a widening divide between the rich and the poor amid a cost of living crisis.

One fan pointed out: “This movie is criminally underrated. In time has really deep message to society. From economics to inequality in society, this movie represent everything perfectly.

“This movie is more relevant now than ever, seriously underrated,” said another, while someone else pointed out: “Immortality–such an interesting concept indeed.

“But what caught me in is the realistic portrayal of society, where the rich keeps getting rich and the poor dies. Timely and relevant isn’t it?”

Another wrote: “This movie is really underrated, as a huge Science Fiction fan, I really appreciate this movie, the concept of the movie is just incredible, the actors were great, great visuals, great story, and message.”