James vs. His Future Self (2020): Cast, Ratings & Plot
James vs. His Future Self is a 2020 sci-fi comedy directed by Jeremy Lalonde, starring Jonas Chernick as James, Tommie-Amber Pirie and Cleopatra Coleman. It runs 1 hour 34 minutes. Critics gave it 100% on Rotten Tomatoes, and IMDb users rate it 5.9/10.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 34m (94 min)
- Director
- Jeremy Lalonde
- Original language
-
English
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is James vs. His Future Self About?
The premise of James vs. His Future Self without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
A driven young scientist attempts to become the first person to travel through time. His ambitious experiment yields surprising results when he unexpectedly meets his future self. This encounter triggers a series of comical and perplexing events, forcing both versions of himself to confront the repercussions of altering the past and the complexities of their intertwined destinies.
James vs. His Future Self Themes & Keywords
· 19 tags- the future
- time travel
- versus in title
- living in the moment
- existentialist comedy
- time machine
- time machine inventor
- time traveler
- meeting future self
- time traveler stuck in the past
- future self past self relationship
- future self past self friendship
+7 more Show fewer
- love interest
- re examining one's life
- life passing someone by
- pretending to be a taxi driver
- croissant
- time travel sci fi
- character name in title
James vs. His Future Self Cast & Characters
Jonas Chernick leads the cast as James, with Tommie-Amber Pirie as Meredith and Cleopatra Coleman as Courtney. Directed by Jeremy Lalonde; 10 actors are credited in all.
- Director Jeremy Lalonde
- Jonas Chernick as James
- Tommie-Amber Pirie as Meredith
-
Cleopatra Coleman as Courtney -
Daniel Stern as Jimmy
Also Starring in James vs. His Future Self
· 6 more- Frances Conroy Dr. Rowley
- Morgan Bedard Steward
- Telysa Chandler Science North Employee #2
- Daina Barbeau European cafe patron
- Tara Spencer-Nairn Officer Walker
- Erla Glesby Flight Attendant
James vs. His Future Self Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave James vs. His Future Self 100% on Rotten Tomatoes, and IMDb users rate it 5.9/10. Our Echo Score gives it 75/100, strongest in character & emotion (85) and weakest in sensory experience (60).
James vs. His Future Self Echo Score Breakdown
Overall, James vs. His Future Self delivers a warm, approachable comedy that blends light-hearted time-travel with heartfelt emotion, though its familiar structure limits its impact. Audiences respond positively to the film’s amiable chemistry and standout performance by Daniel Stern, while its modest production design and predictable rom-com beats garner mixed reactions. The pacing is brisk and the tone consistently uplifting, but originality falls short compared to more adventurous entries in the genre. Ultimately, this film offers an enjoyable viewing experience anchored by strong character moments and affable humor.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 65
The film exhibits modest production design and straightforward direction that reflect its budget constraints. In terms of cinematography, the visuals are serviceable but lack distinctive flourishes, relying on familiar framing and palette. Editing supports the comedic timing adequately, though it occasionally underscores rather than elevates scenes. Overall, the craft remains competent but unremarkable.
- Character & Emotion 85
In terms of character and emotion, James vs. His Future Self is buoyed by committed performances, particularly Daniel Stern’s portrayal of the future self. The leads convey genuine warmth and believable chemistry, and supporting roles reinforce the film’s heartfelt tone. Some moments of interpersonal drama feel overstated, but the character arcs sustain audience investment. Overall, the emotional journey remains engaging.
- Story & Flow 70
When it comes to story and flow, the film balances a familiar time-travel premise with occasional inventive beats. Pacing moves briskly through comedic setups, though predictability arises from conventional rom-com and sci-fi tropes. Plot coherence is consistent, but the narrative structure adheres closely to established formulas. Engagement peaks in the final act’s tender payoff. Overall, the storyline offers comfort over surprise.
- Sensory Experience 60
In terms of sensory experience, the film’s soundtrack and sound design are functional, providing a supportive backdrop without commanding attention. Visual styling is plain, with muted color choices that reflect its modest budget. The comedic timing and ambient audio blend smoothly, but no standout aesthetic elements emerge. Overall, the sensory presentation maintains clarity but does not elevate the material beyond its basic execution.
- Rewatch Factor 80
When considering rewatch value, the film’s warm humor and heartfelt themes lend it moderate repeat appeal. Memorable comedic lines and Daniel Stern’s performance encourage revisiting, but the lack of narrative complexity may reduce long-term engagement. Subsequent viewings reveal familiar beats rather than new discoveries. Overall, James vs. His Future Self retains a pleasant charm that makes it worthy of occasional rewatch, though not a perennial favorite.
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IMDb 5.9 /10
See on IMDb -
Rotten Tomatoes 100% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 62%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
TMDB 58% User score
See on TMDB
James vs. His Future Self Plot Summary
What happens in James vs. His Future Self from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 13 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
As James (Jonas Chernick) dedicates himself to unraveling the mysteries of theoretical physics, he finds his life largely centered around his sister Meredith (Tommie-Amber Pirie) and the equally passionate scientist Courtney (Cleopatra Coleman). A pivotal moment arrives during a ride-share when James meets an enigmatic Uber driver, Jimmy (Daniel Stern), who claims to be his future self and carries an alarmingly profound message. He warns James that the relentless pursuit of his research could lead to disastrous consequences for his life. Initially skeptical, James feels a compelling urge to believe that his scientific exploration might hold the key to understanding the universe and secures a chance to work on Dr. Rowley’s (Frances Conroy) prestigious particle accelerator project.
Full summary
The whole story of James vs. His Future Self, scene by scene
James vs. His Future Self Trailers & Videos
The trailer of James vs. His Future Self.
How Well Do You Know James vs. His Future Self?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What field of study is James deeply dedicated to?
Seen James vs. His Future Self?
Movies Like James vs. His Future Self
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including James vs. His Future Self, Time Freak and The Time Machine.
-
James vs. His Future Self 2019 -
Time Freak 2018 -
The Time Machine 2002 -
Relax, I'm from the Future 2023 -
Time After Time 1979 -
Tim Travers & the Time Travelers Paradox 2025 -
Beyond the Infinite Two Minutes 2020 -
Time Chasers 1994 -
The Adam Project 2022 -
The Speed of Time 2020 -
Time Changer 2002 -
Safety Not Guaranteed 2012
James vs. His Future Self FAQ: Cast & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast, ratings and post-credit scenes of James vs. His Future Self, each answered in a sentence.
How long is James vs. His Future Self?
James vs. His Future Self runs 1 hour 34 minutes (94 minutes).
When was James vs. His Future Self released?
James vs. His Future Self was released on May 1, 2020.
Who directed James vs. His Future Self?
James vs. His Future Self was directed by Jeremy Lalonde.
More films by Jeremy Lalonde Who is in the cast of James vs. His Future Self?
James vs. His Future Self stars Jonas Chernick as James, Tommie-Amber Pirie as Meredith and Cleopatra Coleman as Courtney, among 10 credited actors.
How is James vs. His Future Self rated?
James vs. His Future Self has 5.9/10 on IMDb, 100% on Rotten Tomatoes and 58% on TMDB.
Does James vs. His Future Self have a post-credit scene?
No. James vs. His Future Self has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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