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Sci-fi drama

James vs. His Future Self (2019): Cast, Ratings & Plot

James vs. His Future Self (2019) movie poster

James vs. His Future Self is a 2019 sci-fi drama directed by Jeremy Lalonde, starring Jonas Chernick as James, Daniel Stern and Tommie-Amber Pirie. It runs 1 hour 33 minutes. Its Echo Score is 73/100.

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James vs. His Future Self (2019) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 33m (93 min)
Director
Jeremy Lalonde
Genres
Sci-Fi , Drama , 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 young, ambitious scientist dreaming of becoming the first time traveler is confronted by his cynical future self. Warned to abandon his pursuit or face dire consequences, the scientist defiantly refuses. This sets off a fierce and unusual conflict between the two versions of himself, forcing him to confront his own beliefs and the potential cost of achieving his dreams.

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 Daniel Stern as Jimmy and Tommie-Amber Pirie as Meredith. Directed by Jeremy Lalonde; 6 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in James vs. His Future Self

· 2 more
From the director

More from Jeremy Lalonde

More films directed by Jeremy Lalonde, best-rated first: James vs. His Future Self, How to Plan an Orgy in a Small Town, Daniel's Gotta Die and Ashgrove.

Full filmography
Ratings

James vs. His Future Self Reviews & Ratings

Our Echo Score gives it 73/100, strongest in character & emotion (86) and weakest in sensory experience (58).

73 /100

James vs. His Future Self Echo Score Breakdown

James vs. His Future Self delivers a likable blend of sci‑fi comedy and romantic sentiment that resonates with many critics, though audience reactions reveal a more divided response. The film’s humor and heartfelt moments are consistently praised, while its pacing and low‑budget visual execution draw criticism. This mix of strengths and weaknesses results in a solid, if not outstanding, viewing experience that rewards fans of the genre more than casual viewers.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 78

    ART: The film’s direction maintains a steady tone that supports its comedic premise, and the production design conveys a modest, sci‑fi setting appropriate to its budget. Critics note a plausible visual approach to time travel, though some viewers comment on low‑budget aesthetics that detract from polish. Overall, the craft is competent, delivering a functional but unremarkable visual experience.

  • Character & Emotion 86

    CHARACTER: Performances anchor the narrative, with Daniel Stern’s portrayal of the older physicist highlighted for emotional depth and humor. Supporting actors contribute a lively chemistry that complements the romantic subplot. While some dialogue feels uneven, the overall character interactions generate empathy and sustain audience interest. Consequently, character work emerges as a strong component of the film.

  • Story & Flow 66

    STORY: The plot blends time‑travel mechanics with a conventional rom‑com structure, delivering an approachable premise that many reviewers find enjoyable. However, pacing issues arise in the mid‑section, with some critics describing a sagging rhythm and overblown emotional beats. Originality is modest, relying on familiar tropes, yet the final payoff offers a satisfying resolution. Overall, the story is engaging but uneven.

  • Sensory Experience 58

    SENSORY: The soundtrack and sound design complement the comedic tone without overwhelming dialogue, and the visual style adopts an understated color palette suitable for its modest scale. Yet, budget constraints are evident in set details and special effects, leading some viewers to note a lack of polish. The sensory components therefore provide functional support but fall short of delivering a memorable aesthetic experience.

  • Rewatch Factor 70

    REWATCH: The film’s novelty and heartfelt humor give it a modest rewatch appeal, especially for fans of light sci‑fi rom‑coms. Positive reactions highlight fresh jokes and an enjoyable payoff that encourage a second viewing, while criticisms of pacing and predictability temper enthusiasm. Consequently, the movie offers enough charm to merit revisiting, though it may not sustain long‑term interest for all audiences.

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

James Daniel Stern is a theoretical physicist whose work consumes most of what he is and hopes to become. His only real connections are with his sister Meredith Tommie-Amber Pirie and with another scientist named Courtney Cleopatra Coleman. On his way to visit Meredith, he is abducted by his Uber driver who claims to be his future self and warns him away from pursuing his research. James remains skeptical, even as the promise of breakthrough results whispers in his ear, and he discovers that his research supervisor Dr. Rowley Frances Conroy is about to gain access to a particle accelerator essential to proving his theories.

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?

9 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 9

  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

What is James's profession?

Details

James vs. His Future Self Also Known As

6 alternative titles, including “James vs His Future Self” and “Джеймс против будущего себя”.

Also known as
  • James vs His Future Self
  • Джеймс против будущего себя
  • James vs. su futuro yo
  • Джеймс срещу бъдещото му аз
  • 詹姆斯大战未来的自己
  • 제임스 VS 미래의 자신

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FAQ

James vs. His Future Self FAQ: Cast & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast 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 33 minutes (93 minutes).

When was James vs. His Future Self released?

James vs. His Future Self was released on September 17, 2019.

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, Daniel Stern as Jimmy and Tommie-Amber Pirie as Meredith, among 6 credited actors.

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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