Needle in a Timestack (2021): Cast, Ratings & Plot
Needle in a Timestack is a 2021 sci-fi drama directed by John Ridley, starring Leslie Odom Jr. as Nick Mikkelsen, Cynthia Erivo and Orlando Bloom. It is partly based on Needle in a Timestack by Robert Silverberg. It runs 1 hour 51 minutes. Critics gave it 38% on Rotten Tomatoes and 42 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.3/10.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 51m (111 min)
- Director
- John Ridley
- Original language
-
English
- Studio
- Lionsgate
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Needle in a Timestack About?
The premise of Needle in a Timestack without spoilers, adapted from Needle in a Timestack by Robert Silverberg. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
When reality begins to unravel, Nick and Janine find their love tested as time becomes fluid and memories shift. Nick must confront a distorted past and navigate a confusing landscape of fragmented timelines to find Janine and reclaim his own truth. Their relationship is the only constant in a world where the past, present, and future intertwine, and they must fight to preserve their connection amidst the chaos.
Needle in a Timestack Themes & Keywords
· 45 tags- time travel
- relationships gone wrong
- based on short story
- walkman
- birthday present
- art
- marriage
- rich woman
- memory
- memory loss
- photography
- photography studio
+33 more Show fewer
- photograph
- memories of the past
- pet
- pet dog
- pet cat
- loss of a friend
- ex boyfriend
- happiness
- death
- friendship
- best friend
- death of best friend
- loss of best friend
- female best friends
- loneliness
- brother sister relationship
- birthday
- written by director
- architect
- female photographer
- yellow labrador retriever
- beagle
- la jolla california
- beach bonfire
- circle
- finding true love
- unrequited love
- death of friend
- revenge
- memory erasure
- friendship between women
- friendship between men
- scifi
Needle in a Timestack Cast & Characters
Leslie Odom Jr. leads the cast as Nick Mikkelsen, with Cynthia Erivo as Janine Mikkelsen and Orlando Bloom as Tommy Hambleton. Directed by John Ridley; 14 actors are credited in all.
- Director John Ridley
-
Leslie Odom Jr. as Nick Mikkelsen -
Cynthia Erivo as Janine Mikkelsen -
Orlando Bloom as Tommy Hambleton - Jadyn Wong as Zoe Mikkelsen
Also Starring in Needle in a Timestack
· 10 more- Freida Pinto Alex Leslie
- Laysla De Oliveira Sibila
- Alessandro Juliani Steven
- Johannah Newmarch Hekima
- Hiro Kanagawa Tattersall
- James Kirk Marcus
- Elizabeth Weinstein Ana
- Charles Singh Elliot
- Ulka Simone Mohanty Donna
- Gourav Shah Tate
More from John Ridley
More films directed by John Ridley, best-rated first: Let It Fall: L.A. 1982-1992, Jimi: All Is by My Side, Shirley and Let It Fall: Los Angeles 1982-1992.
Needle in a Timestack Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Needle in a Timestack 38% on Rotten Tomatoes and 42 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.3/10. Our Echo Score gives it 38/100, strongest in sensory experience (45) and weakest in art & craft (30).
Needle in a Timestack Echo Score Breakdown
Needle in a Timestack falls short of its ambitious premise, with the majority of critiques highlighting weak storytelling, underdeveloped characters, and a lack of visual distinctiveness. While a few viewers note moments of emotional resonance and commend the lead's commitment, the film’s pacing, confusing time‑travel logic, and absent chemistry undermine its impact. The overall consensus points to a modestly disappointing experience that offers limited appeal beyond a single viewing.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 30
In terms of direction and production design, the film displays little visual flair, with critics noting an overlong runtime and absent tension. No specific praise for cinematography or editing emerges from the reviews, suggesting a functional but uninspired execution. The net impression is that the art and craft elements fail to elevate the material, resulting in a modest rating.
- Character & Emotion 40
When evaluating character depth and chemistry, reviewers observe a talented cast constrained by a script that diminishes relational nuance. Critics point to a lack of chemistry between leads, while a user mentions a brilliantly acted performance. The mixed signals lead to a borderline rating, reflecting competent acting hindered by weak character development.
- Story & Flow 35
Regarding plot coherence and pacing, the narrative is described as sluggish, overcomplicated, and riddled with time‑travel contradictions. Critics emphasize a loss of focus on the central romance and a reliance on clichés, though a few viewers find the premise intriguing. Overall, the story is judged uneven and undermined by structural flaws, resulting in a low score.
- Sensory Experience 45
The sensory experience, including soundtrack and visual style, receives limited commentary, implying a neutral impact. No distinct praise or criticism emerges, suggesting the audio‑visual elements neither detract nor enhance the film significantly. Consequently, the sensory score reflects an average perception without notable strengths or weaknesses.
- Rewatch Factor 40
Assessing rewatch value, critics label the film a nonstarter with little incentive for repeat viewings, while some users report lingering emotional resonance and lasting impression. The disparity indicates modest appeal that may satisfy a niche audience but lacks broader replay incentive, yielding a middling rewatch factor.
-
IMDb 5.3 /10
See on IMDb -
Rotten Tomatoes 38% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 53%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 42 Metascore
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 53% User score
See on TMDB -
Movie Insider 2.5 /5
See on Movie Insider
Needle in a Timestack Plot Summary
What happens in Needle in a Timestack from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
As the world accelerates toward a near-future where temporal aberrations have become commonplace, the elite few indulge in the extravagant hobby of “time jaunting,” a euphemism for the allure of time travel. This shift has yielded various consequences, leading to the emergence of a flourishing industry focused on memory preservation and addressing the psychological impacts of these temporal excursions.
Nick Mikkelsen, an architect with a refined aesthetic, has established a life with his talented photographer wife, Janine Mikkelsen. While their relationship appears peaceful, hidden fractures begin to surface. After Nick experiences his third time shift in as many years, he is compelled to reassess the foundation of their partnership. His concerns deepen when their beloved dog goes missing, only to be substituted by a strange cat from an alternate timeline.
Full summary
The whole story of Needle in a Timestack, scene by scene
Needle in a Timestack Trailers & Videos
The trailer of Needle in a Timestack.
How Well Do You Know Needle in a Timestack?
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 is the luxurious pastime enjoyed by the affluent few in the movie?
Seen Needle in a Timestack?
Movies Like Needle in a Timestack
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Time Freak, The Time Capsule and The Sticky Fingers of Time.
Needle in a Timestack FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast, ratings, the book behind it and post-credit scenes of Needle in a Timestack, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Needle in a Timestack?
Needle in a Timestack runs 1 hour 51 minutes (111 minutes).
When was Needle in a Timestack released?
Needle in a Timestack was released on October 15, 2021.
Who directed Needle in a Timestack?
Needle in a Timestack was directed by John Ridley.
More films by John Ridley Who is in the cast of Needle in a Timestack?
Needle in a Timestack stars Leslie Odom Jr. as Nick Mikkelsen, Cynthia Erivo as Janine Mikkelsen and Orlando Bloom as Tommy Hambleton, among 14 credited actors.
How is Needle in a Timestack rated?
Needle in a Timestack has 5.3/10 on IMDb, 38% on Rotten Tomatoes, 42 on Metacritic and 53% on TMDB.
Is Needle in a Timestack based on a book?
Yes. Needle in a Timestack is partly adapted from Needle in a Timestack by Robert Silverberg.
Does Needle in a Timestack have a post-credit scene?
No. Needle in a Timestack has no extra scene during or after the credits.
Coming soon to your phone
The Plot Explained Movie Summary App
From blockbusters to hidden gems: plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Save your favorites and never miss a twist again.
Be the first to know when it launches. Your email stays private, always. Learn more about the app
