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Sci-fi comedy

James vs. His Future Self (2020): Cast, Ratings & Plot

James vs. His Future Self (2020) movie poster

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.

IMDb rating
5.9/10
Rotten Tomatoes
100%
Echo Score
75
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James vs. His Future Self (2020) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 34m (94 min)
Director
Jeremy Lalonde
Genres
Sci-Fi , Comedy
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

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
  • 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
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Cast & crew

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.

Also Starring in James vs. His Future Self

· 6 more
Ratings

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).

75 /100

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.

Plot

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

Read the full summary
Videos

James vs. His Future Self Trailers & Videos

The trailer of James vs. His Future Self.

James Vs His Future Self - Trailer - Sci-Fi Comedy Time Travel Daniel Stern (TADFF 2019)
Quiz

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

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What field of study is James deeply dedicated to?

Seen James vs. His Future Self?

FAQ

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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