Time After Time

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Time After Time

PG

1979

1h 52m

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

88%

Tomatometer

32 Reviews

72%

Popcornmeter

5,000+ Ratings

H.G. Wells (Malcolm McDowell) has built a time machine, and he plans on using it to travel to a Utopian paradise in the future. But before he can, Jack the Ripper (David Warner), on the run from the police, uses it to escape and travel to 1979. Wells follows, and enlists the help of a bank teller named Amy (Mary Steenburgen) to catch Jack before he continues his killing spree. As they work together, Wells falls for Amy, even as she has a hard time believing his wild story of time travel.

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Critics Consensus

With the three principal actors clearly having fun with their roles, becomes an amusing, light-hearted fantasy lark.

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Robert Osborne

The Hollywood Reporter

Sep 30, 2020

Such a scrambling of fact, fiction and imagination in itself deserves back-patting and, for the most part, the rendering is as delightful as the basic idea.

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Variety Staff

Variety

Jun 5, 2007

A delightful, entertaining trifle of a film that shows both the possibilities and limitations of taking liberties with literature and history.

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Dave Kehr

Chicago Reader

Jun 5, 2007

Clever and well calculated.

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

May 18, 2023

3/4

A clever piece of entertainment that offers some amusing culture-clash gags scattered throughout a solid thriller.

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Amanda Mazzillo

Film Joy

Mar 8, 2022

Time After Time is a delightful film offering an alternative version of a real persons life utilizing the staples of their fiction. The performances ... make this light-hearted romantic fantasy thriller one you will not soon forget.

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David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

Aug 14, 2021

3/4

...a briskly-paced thriller that benefits substantially from its strong performances and proliferation of irresistible time-travel elements...

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Robert P

@Superbad Sep 13, 2026

Time After Time = a *4* star Movie...

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Shizue Leigh H

@RT72406249 Aug 7, 2026

Nicholas Meyer has the "Magic Touch"👍 (Star Trek and non-Star Trek🫡).

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Angello D

@CriticAngelo Mar 8, 2026

Loved the dramatic music. Time travel isn’t the only focus of the plot, which makes it feel more complex. The villain being inspired by real life is interesting. It’s a bit too long though, I usually prefer shorter movies. Beautiful ending.

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Mike P

@RT09890132 Feb 4, 2026

Classic 70s sci fi...Malcom Mcdowell, in a total inversion of his character in Clockwork Orange, plays a 19th Century Century HG Wells, who's on the trail of a time travelling Jack the Ripper...Very clever and lots of fun...Written and directed by Nicholas Meyer of Star Trek 2 fame.

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Austin B

@Austin35 Jan 7, 2026

They don't make movies like this anymore. Smart, engrossing entertainment that never lets up. As great today as it was 45 years ago.

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Ed B

@RT72263556 Aug 25, 2025

We enjoyed it! It is entertaining and well written and kept us engaged throughout. The story is familiar but with an interesting twist.

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Nicholas Meyer

Director

Malcolm McDowell

H. G. Wells

David Warner

Jack the Ripper - John Leslie Stevenson

Mary Steenburgen

Amy Robbins

Charles Cioffi

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Synopsis

H.G. Wells (Malcolm McDowell) has built a time machine, and he plans on using it to travel to a Utopian paradise in the future. But before he can, Jack the Ripper (David Warner), on the run from the police, uses it to escape and travel to 1979. Wells follows, and enlists the help of a bank teller named Amy (Mary Steenburgen) to catch Jack before he continues his killing spree. As they work together, Wells falls for Amy, even as she has a hard time believing his wild story of time travel.

Director: Nicholas Meyer
Producer: Herb Jaffe
Distributor: Warner Bros.
Production Co: Orion Productions, Warner Brothers/Seven Arts
Rating: PG
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Aug 31, 1979, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 18, 2010
Runtime: 1h 52m
Sound Mix: Surround

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