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7 Splinters in Time (2018) Plot Summary & Timeline

7 Splinters in Time (2018) movie poster

7 Splinters in Time is a 2018 sci-fi and mystery film directed by Gabriel Judet-Weinshel, running 1 hour 15 minutes. This page retells the whole story in 396 words (about 2 minutes to read) and covers 14 key events in order, 4 characters, where and when it is set and 3 themes. Looking for the cast, ratings and where to stream it? See the movie page for 7 Splinters in Time.

to read the plot summary
2 min
key events in the timeline
14
characters profiled
4
themes explained
3
7 Splinters in Time (2018) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 15m
Original language
English
No spoilers

What Is 7 Splinters in Time About?

The premise of 7 Splinters in Time in 314 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.

In a city that feels both familiar and eerily out of sync, a methodical detective clings to routine while the world around him seems to fracture. His quiet life is upended when he discovers a murder scene that mirrors his own reflection, a chilling sign that reality may be slipping into a labyrinth of forgotten moments. The atmosphere hums with a blend of classic noir grit and a subtle, almost dream‑like disquiet, suggesting that time itself might be a pliable illusion.

Darius Lefaux is the gumshoe at the centre of this uncanny upheaval—a down‑on‑his‑luck investigator whose career has stalled and whose love life is a comedy of errors. His only steady anchor is Babs, the curmudgeonly neighbor who offers a blunt, reluctant companionship that underscores Darius’s yearning for genuine connection. As unsettling memories surface, Darius is forced to confront a version of himself that should not exist, setting the tone for a mystery that feels as much internal as external.

Enter John Luka, an eccentric old friend whose own past is tangled with a botched experiment that warped the flow of time. Luka’s loyalty is fierce, and his quirky demeanor masks a deep, lingering fear that the strange link between them could turn deadly. Their partnership is a study in contrasts: Darius’s meticulous cynicism against Luka’s chaotic optimism, each pulling the other toward answers that hover just out of reach.

Amidst the growing sense of déjà vu, Alise reappears—a captivating figure from Darius’s earlier days whose presence awakens long‑dormant emotions and hints at a shared history that predates the current crisis. Together, the trio navigates a world where identity blurs and moments intersect, driven by an uneasy curiosity about the nature of their intertwined fates. The film steadies itself on mood and mystery, inviting the audience to linger in the shadows of memory and wonder what lies just beyond the edge of perceived reality.

Full plot

What Happens in 7 Splinters in Time?

The complete story of 7 Splinters in Time, from the first scene to the last, in 396 words (about 2 minutes). Spoilers throughout. Names in the text link to 4 cast member pages.

Spoilers ahead

A detective is on the hunt to solve a perplexing murder case, only to discover the shocking truth: the victim is none other than himself. As he delves deeper into the investigation, Darius Lefaux, played by Edoardo Ballerini, uncovers a bewildering array of alternate versions of himself, not all of which have his best interests at heart.

Darius, a down-on-his-luck gumshoe, finds his once-promising career in disarray, and his romantic life is a series of comedic disasters. His only semblance of a genuine relationship is with Babs, a curmudgeonly neighbor portrayed by Lynn Cohen. When the peculiar case arrives, he is called in to examine the body, only to be stunned to learn that the deceased is a mirror image of himself.

As forgotten memories claw their way back, fragments of time that seem disjointed and fragmented flood his mind. Just when things become even more convoluted, additional versions of Darius appear, with one particular doppelgänger intent on taking his life. With the clock ticking against him, Darius must unravel the mystery of his alter egos before one of them claims him permanently.

Amidst the chaos, John Luka, an eccentric and hapless juggler played by Greg Bennick, senses that his friend is in peril. Luka’s own past is intertwined with the chaotic aftermath of a botched time-travel experiment, leaving him shattered and struggling. Driven by loyalty, he embarks on a quest to find Fyodor Wax, the mastermind behind the ill-fated experiment, believing that Fyodor holds the key to locating “brother Darius” before it’s too late.

As Darius escapes into the labyrinth of multiple selves, he unexpectedly reunites with Alise, a captivating woman from his past, brought to life by Emmanuelle Chriqui. Their rekindled romance stirs up long-dormant memories of a life once shared—a relationship interrupted by a harrowing incident on a desolate road a decade prior. As Luka reconnects with Darius, they uncover more about their obscured history and the scientific folly that binds them together in this convoluted web of existence.

Determined to confront their pasts, Darius and Luka set out towards a clandestine location known as “Omphalos.” There, they hope to put an end to the catastrophic experiment that may be the source of their entangled lives. Yet, the path to “Omphalos” proves to be as treacherous as it is revealing, transforming their journey of discovery into an introspective exploration of identity and fate.

Timeline

7 Splinters in Time Timeline: Every Key Event in Order

14 key events in the order they happen, from “Darius Lefaux's Career Downfall” to “Choosing His Fate”.

  1. 1

    Darius Lefaux's Career Downfall

    Darius Lefaux, a once-promising detective, finds himself struggling in a career now marked by failure. His reputation as a gumshoe has diminished, and the pressures of life begin to weigh heavily on him, leading to a series of humorous but humiliating romantic escapades.

  2. 2

    The Discovery of the Murder

    Darius is called to investigate a perplexing murder case, only to be shocked to discover that the victim is an identical version of himself. The revelation sets the stage for a mind-bending quest as Darius grapples with the implications of his newfound reality.

  3. 3

    Encountering Alternate Versions

    As Darius delves deeper into the investigation, he begins to encounter alternate versions of himself. Not all of these doppelgängers have his best interests at heart, leading to confusion and a sense of danger as the lines between identities blur.

  4. 4

    Flashbacks and Fragments

    Amidst the chaos of multiple realities, Darius experiences fragmented flashbacks of forgotten memories. These disjointed recollections threaten to overwhelm him as he pieces together the puzzle of his fragmented existence.

  5. 5

    A Life-Threatening Ultimatum

    As the investigation escalates, one of Darius's alternate selves takes on a sinister agenda, intent on eliminating him. With each passing moment, Darius realizes that he must act quickly to outsmart this malevolent version before it’s too late.

  6. 6

    Luka's Quest for Help

    Amidst Darius's turmoil, John Luka, an eccentric juggler and friend, senses the impending danger. Their fates entwined through a shared history, Luka embarks on a mission to uncover the key to locating 'brother Darius' by seeking out Fyodor Wax.

  7. 7

    Unraveling the Time-Travel Experiment

    Luka's search for Fyodor reveals a chaotic past involving a botched time-travel experiment. The remnants of this experiment lie at the heart of their current predicament, linking the friends in a shared struggle to regain stability in their lives.

  8. 8

    Reuniting with Alise

    During his tumultuous journey, Darius unexpectedly reunites with Alise, a captivating woman from his past. Their romantic rekindling brings back memories of a life that was interrupted a decade ago, stirring both nostalgia and confusion within him.

  9. 9

    The Desolate Road Incident

    The memories between Darius and Alise reflect on a harrowing incident that occurred on a desolate road years prior. This traumatic event serves as the catalyst for their fragmented relationship and the reasons behind their separation.

    When:A decade ago

  10. 10

    Journey to Omphalos

    Determined to confront their tangled pasts and the consequences of the time-travel experiment, Darius and Luka set out toward a clandestine location known as 'Omphalos.' This journey promises not only to reveal more about their intertwined fates but also to confront the chaos surrounding them.

    Where:Omphalos

Show the other 4 events of 7 Splinters in Time
  1. 11

    Confronting the Chaos

    As they approach 'Omphalos', the journey becomes increasingly treacherous, filled with both external and internal challenges. Darius and Luka must navigate the complexities of their identities while facing the manifestations of their past mistakes.

  2. 12

    The Revelation of Identity

    Upon reaching 'Omphalos', Darius and Luka are forced to confront the true nature of their identities. The revelations they encounter challenge their understanding of self, destiny, and the potential to rewrite their histories.

    Where:Omphalos

  3. 13

    A Race Against Time

    With the clock ticking and the threat of his malevolent doppelgänger looming, Darius must hurry to untangle the web of his alternate selves. Each moment lost increases the danger to his life, turning the investigation into a race against time.

  4. 14

    Choosing His Fate

    In the climax at 'Omphalos', Darius must make critical decisions that will determine his future. The choices he faces not only affect himself but also everyone intertwined in this chaotic saga, highlighting the weight of his actions.

    Where:Omphalos

Characters

Who Are the Main Characters in 7 Splinters in Time?

4 characters, among them Darius Lefaux, Babs and John Luka: who each one is and the part they play in the story. Every profile links to the actor’s page.

  • Edoardo Ballerini as Darius Lefaux in 7 Splinters in Time

    Darius Lefaux

    Played by Edoardo Ballerini

    Darius is a down-on-his-luck detective who finds himself in a perplexing situation when he discovers that the murder victim is himself. Throughout the story, he grapples with multiple versions of himself, confronting both comedic and dark aspects of his personality. His journey is one of self-discovery amid chaotic circumstances.

    • 🔍 Detective
    • 🤔 Self-Discovery
  • Lynn Cohen as Babs in 7 Splinters in Time

    Babs

    Played by Lynn Cohen

    Babs is portrayed as a curmudgeonly neighbor who represents a connection to Darius's somewhat mundane life. Her exterior toughness is paired with an underlying warmth, making her relationship with Darius a unique blend of friendship and support in his tumultuous world.

    • 👵 Elderly
    • 🏡 Home
  • JL

    John Luka

    Played by Greg Bennick

    John Luka is an eccentric and hapless juggler whose life intertwines with Darius's. His loyalty and determination push him to help Darius in solving the mystery of their intertwined fates, revealing his own struggles with past trauma from time-travel experiments.

    • 🤹 Juggler
    • 🎭 Comedic Relief
  • Emmanuelle Chriqui as Alise Spiegelman in 7 Splinters in Time

    Alise Spiegelman

    Played by Emmanuelle Chriqui

    Alise is a captivating woman from Darius's past, whose presence reignites old memories and feelings. Her character adds depth to the narrative as Darius navigates their shared history, making her pivotal in exploring themes of love and regret.

    • 💖 Romance
    • 🌌 Nostalgia
Setting

Where and When Is 7 Splinters in Time Set?

7 Splinters in Time is set in Omphalos. Here is why the place matters to the story.

When

The events of the movie unfold in a contemporary setting, reflecting modern-day issues and the complexities of identity. The backdrop features elements of science fiction intertwined with comedic undertones, particularly in the context of time-travel experiments gone awry.

Where

Omphalos

Omphalos is a clandestine location that plays a pivotal role in the movie. It serves as the site where Darius and Luka confront the effects of a botched time-travel experiment. The area is shrouded in mystery and is crucial for unraveling the convoluted narratives that bind the characters.

  • 📍 Location
  • 🔍 Mystery
Themes

What Are the Themes of 7 Splinters in Time?

3 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Identity, Time Travel and Romance.

  1. 01

    Identity

    The theme of identity is central to '7 Splinters in Time'. As Darius encounters alternate versions of himself, the struggle to understand who he truly is becomes paramount. This exploration leads to deep questions about selfhood and the impact of choices across timelines.

  2. 02

    Time Travel

    Time travel serves as a catalyst for the narrative, complicating Darius's investigation and interactions. The characters grapple with the consequences of their past actions and decisions, illustrating how time can be both a friend and an adversary.

  3. 03

    Romance

    Amidst the twists of fate, romance plays a significant role, especially between Darius and Alise. Their rekindled affection evokes nostalgia and regret, highlighting how love can transcend even the most bewildering of circumstances.

Tone & mood

What Kind of Film Is 7 Splinters in Time?

Tense in tone, with fast pacing and a very complex story, going by the plot summary.

Tone
Tense
Pacing
Fast
Story
Very complex
Intensity
High
Ending
Ambiguous

A fast-paced, mind-bending thriller that traps you in a disorienting web of alternate selves and forgotten memories, creating a deeply anxious and paranoid viewing experience.

  • anxious
  • disorienting
  • paranoid
  • thrilling
  • mind-bending
  • unsettling
  • time travel
  • identity crisis
  • murder investigation
  • alternate realities

Content notes: murder, doppelgänger threat, psychological trauma.

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Where to watch

Where to Watch 7 Splinters in Time

Stream it on Amazon Prime Video and Fandango at Home Free, or rent or buy it from Amazon Video and Apple TV Store. US availability and prices from JustWatch.

Streaming availability in the US, powered by JustWatch logo

Read next

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6 films close to 7 Splinters in Time in story and themes that have a full plot summary here: Seven (1995) and Se7en (1995) lead.

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FAQ

7 Splinters in Time Plot Questions

5 quick answers about 7 Splinters in Time, taken from the plot summary, character guide and setting on this page and the film’s credits.

What is 7 Splinters in Time about?

In a city that feels both familiar and eerily out of sync, a methodical detective clings to routine while the world around him seems to fracture. His quiet life is upended when he discovers a murder scene that mirrors his own reflection, a chilling sign that reality may be slipping into a labyrinth…

Read the full plot summary

When and where does 7 Splinters in Time take place?

7 Splinters in Time is set in Omphalos. The events of the movie unfold in a contemporary setting, reflecting modern-day issues and the complexities of identity.

The setting explained

Who are the main characters in 7 Splinters in Time?

The story follows Darius Lefaux (played by Edoardo Ballerini), Babs (played by Lynn Cohen), John Luka (played by Greg Bennick) and Alise Spiegelman (played by Emmanuelle Chriqui).

All the characters

What are the main themes of 7 Splinters in Time?

The summary picks out 3 themes: Identity, Time Travel and Romance.

The themes explained

Who directed 7 Splinters in Time?

7 Splinters in Time (2018) was directed by Gabriel Judet-Weinshel and runs 1 hour 15 minutes.

Gabriel Judet-Weinshel’s films

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