What Is See You Yesterday About?
The premise of See You Yesterday in 325 words, with nothing given away. The full story and the ending follow below.
In a bustling Los Angeles high school, the ordinary rhythms of teenage life intersect with a daring scientific curiosity. C.J. Walker, a prodigious and fiercely determined teen, spends her days sketching equations and tinkering with circuitry, dreaming of a breakthrough that could rewrite what’s possible. By her side is her best friend Sebastian “Bash” Thomas, whose quiet brilliance balances her restless ambition, forming a partnership rooted in mutual respect and an unspoken promise to push each other beyond the limits of the classroom.
The film’s world is a vivid blend of urban realism and speculative wonder. Sun‑drenched streets, school corridors filled with lockers and whispered rumors, coexist with the secret, humming labs where the duo assembles their most audacious invention: a compact, backpack‑sized time‑travel device. The tone weaves together the gritty texture of everyday adolescence—grades, friendships, and family expectations—with the luminous possibility that technology could offer a second chance at moments that matter most.
At its heart, the story is a meditation on grief, responsibility, and the lengths friends will go to protect one another. C.J. carries the weight of personal loss, her scientific drive turning into a quiet, desperate hope that the past might be rewritten. Sebastian serves as both anchor and catalyst, encouraging her brilliance while wrestling with the ethical ripples that time‑bending experiments could unleash. Their dynamic crackles with a blend of humor, tension, and heartfelt honesty, portraying a friendship that feels both extraordinary and deeply relatable.
As the countdown to a looming science expo approaches, the duo stands on the brink of a discovery that could shift their reality forever. The film invites viewers to wonder what it would be like to hold the past in your hands, to feel the pulse of possibility against the backdrop of teenage life, and to ask whether some moments are meant to stay untouched. The journey promises emotional depth, inventive spectacle, and the timeless question of how far love and curiosity will carry us.
What Happens in See You Yesterday?
The complete story of See You Yesterday, from the first scene to the last, in 515 words (about 2 minutes). Spoilers throughout. Names in the text link to 6 cast member pages.
Spoilers ahead
C.J. Walker is a remarkably ambitious science prodigy determined to create a time machine with her best friend, Sebastian “Bash” Thomas. However, their first attempt at this groundbreaking invention ends in failure just before the last day of school.
In their final class with Mr. Lockhart, their science teacher, C.J. and Bash hope to showcase their class project at the upcoming science expo slated for July 5. Eager to impress potential scouts, C.J. pleads with Mr. Lockhart to boost their project grade, to which he responds with a thought-provoking invitation to ponder the ethical and philosophical implications of time travel.
Their second attempt proves successful, catapulting them back in time by 24 hours. In an impulsive fit of retribution against her ex-boyfriend Jared, C.J. decides to pull a prank that spirals out of control; following her, he ends up getting hit by a car, resulting in a fractured arm. This confrontation leads to a conflict with Bash, and in the haste of their chaotic adventure, they nearly encounter their past selves before making their way back to the present.
On July 4, C.J.’s older brother Calvin and his friend Dennis leave a party after an altercation with Jared. As they walk away, they inadvertently collide with two men rushing down the street. Moments later, a police car appears, and the officers, suspecting them of being the thieves in pursuit, tragically take Calvin’s life.
Following Calvin’s heart-wrenching funeral, C.J. is determined to go back again to save her brother. Despite Bash’s concerns about the dangers of time travel, he agrees to assist her. They orchestrate a plan to reroute Calvin and Dennis before the fatal encounter, but in a twist of fate, Jared sees them and gives chase, derailing their efforts, and they arrive too late to save Calvin.
Undeterred, they attempt a third journey, enlisting the help of their classmate Eduardo and acquiring his robust circuit boards. In this timeline, C.J. attempts to thwart a convenience store robbery, aiming to avert any police confrontation by warning the store owner. However, as past events unfold, Bash unwittingly finds himself in a perilous position, resulting in his tragic demise when he is shot. C.J. emerges outside the shop only to witness the heart-wrenching sight of current Bash dying on the sidewalk as the past version succumbs to his wounds.
Desperate to save both Bash and Calvin, C.J. embarks on a fourth journey. They manage to find Calvin and Dennis just in time, but persuading them of the bizarre reality proves challenging. When the officer who previously shot Calvin appears, Calvin protests his innocence regarding the robbery. With the situation escalating, he makes the ultimate sacrifice to ensure C.J. and Bash’s escape.
Upon returning to the present, Bash confronts C.J. about her multiple travels through time. She admits that their last attempt was her fourth, during which he had died. Furious, he forbids her from trying again, but undeterred, C.J. makes a fifth trip back in time, venturing forth alone with a newfound determination. She breaks into a sprint, ready to alter the course of fate once more.
See You Yesterday Timeline: Every Key Event in Order
15 key events in the order they happen, from “Initial Ambitions” to “Ready to Alter Fate”. 3 events name a place, across 3 locations.
- 1
Initial Ambitions
C.J. Walker, a science prodigy, teams up with her best friend, Bash, to create a time machine. Their first attempt ends in failure just before the last day of school, setting the stage for their ambitious project.
- 2
Final Class with Mr. Lockhart
In their last science class with Mr. Lockhart, C.J. and Bash seek to impress potential scouts at the upcoming science expo. Mr. Lockhart encourages them to consider the ethical implications of time travel, which influences their next steps.
- 3
Successful Time Travel
C.J. and Bash successfully activate their time machine, propelling themselves back in time by 24 hours. They experience the excitement and chaos of their first successful trip, but it leads to unexpected consequences.
- 4
Prank Escalates
In a misguided attempt for retribution against her ex-boyfriend Jared, C.J. pulls a prank that goes awry. The situation escalates when Jared, in pursuit of C.J., is hit by a car and suffers a fractured arm, intensifying tensions among friends.
- 5
A Tragic Altercation
On July 4th, C.J.'s older brother Calvin and his friend Dennis leave a party after a confrontation with Jared. Their evening takes a tragic turn when they accidentally run into two men, leading to a police incident that results in Calvin's death.
When:July 4 Where:Street near the party
- 6
Heart-Wrenching Funeral
Following Calvin's tragic death, C.J. is devastated and resolves to go back in time to save him. The overwhelming grief from the funeral propels her to act, despite warning signs from Bash about the dangers of time travel.
- 7
Failed Rescue Attempt
C.J. and Bash devise a plan to prevent the fatal encounter that took Calvin's life. However, when Jared spots them and chases them down, they arrive too late, leading them to confront their helplessness over Calvin's fate.
- 8
A Third Journey Begins
Determined to save Calvin, C.J. and Bash prepare for a third time travel attempt. They enlist the help of classmate Eduardo, which leads them to acquire essential equipment for their desperate mission.
- 9
Robbery Intervention
In a bold move, C.J. attempts to stop a convenience store robbery, aiming to prevent any future police confrontations. However, as events unfold, Bash finds himself in a perilous situation that ends in heartache.
Where:Convenience Store
- 10
Bash's Sacrifice
The consequences of their actions culminate when Bash is tragically shot during the robbery. C.J. watches in horror as he succumbs to his injuries, adding to her burden of guilt and loss.
Where:Sidewalk outside the shop
Show the other 5 events of See You Yesterday Hide the last 5 events
- 11
Fourth Time Travel Attempt
In a desperate bid to save both Bash and Calvin, C.J. enacts a fourth time travel plan. With urgency, they find Calvin and Dennis, but the appearance of the officer leads to devastating choices.
- 12
Calvin’s Ultimate Sacrifice
As tensions rise, Calvin bravely protests his innocence but is forced to sacrifice himself to facilitate C.J. and Bash’s escape. This act of heroism leaves C.J. with the burden of loss and failure once again.
- 13
Bash Confronts C.J.
Upon returning to the present, Bash is furious with C.J. for her reckless time travel attempts. The confrontation reveals the emotional toll the adventures have taken on their friendship.
- 14
C.J.'s Fifth Journey
Undeterred by Bash's anger, C.J. makes the bold decision to embark on a fifth journey alone. She is fueled by determination and an unwavering hope to rewrite the tragedies of their past.
- 15
Ready to Alter Fate
As C.J. breaks into a sprint, she prepares herself for the monumental task of altering their fateful history. With each leap back in time, she carries the weight of the past but remains resolute in her mission.
Who Are the Main Characters in See You Yesterday?
5 characters, among them C.J. Walker, Sebastian 'Bash' Thomas and Calvin Walker: who each one is and the part they play in the story. Every profile links to the actor’s page.
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C.J. Walker
Played by Eden Duncan-Smith
C.J. is a determined and ambitious science prodigy focused on inventing a time machine. Her bravery and emotional depth drive the plot as she navigates loss and the moral implications of her actions. Despite facing significant challenges, her resilience and determination are evident throughout her journey.
- 👩🔬 Prodigy
- 💪 Resilience
- S'
Sebastian 'Bash' Thomas
Played by Dante Crichlow
Bash is C.J.'s loyal best friend and partner in their time travel experiments. He serves as a voice of reason, often expressing concern over the dangers of their actions. His loyalty and bravery ultimately lead to tragic consequences, highlighting the weight of friendship amid adversity.
- 👫 Friendship
- ⚠️ Caution
- CW
Calvin Walker
Played by Astro
Calvin is C.J.'s older brother, whose tragic fate serves as a catalyst for the film's events. His vibrant personality and protectiveness over C.J. make his loss profoundly impactful, illustrating the themes of family bonds and the lengths one will go to for loved ones.
- 👨👧👦 Family
- 😢 Tragedy
-
Mr. Lockhart
Played by Michael J. Fox
Mr. Lockhart is C.J. and Bash's science teacher who encourages their ambitious efforts in time travel. His philosophical reflections on the nature of time and ethics greatly influence their journey, emphasizing the importance of considering the repercussions of their inventions.
- 👨🏫 Mentor
- 🧠 Philosophy
- J
Jared
Played by Rayshawn Richardson
Jared is C.J.'s ex-boyfriend whose actions contribute to the story's significant conflicts. His relationship with C.J. showcases themes of jealousy and consequence, playing a key role in the unfolding drama surrounding C.J.'s attempts to change the past.
- 😒 Jealousy
- 🔥 Conflict
Where and When Is See You Yesterday Set?
See You Yesterday is set in C.J.'s neighborhood and the convenience store (July 4, the day before the science expo). Here is why the time and place matter to the story.
When
July 4, the day before the science expo
The movie takes place primarily around July 4, a time filled with anticipation for the upcoming science expo and the impending summer vacation. This period also marks a time of celebration, yet it contrasts sharply with the tragedy that unfolds, highlighting the fragility of life and choices.
Where
C.J.'s neighborhood, the convenience store
C.J.'s neighborhood is a bustling urban environment filled with various community elements. It's known for its local charm and the convenience store where critical events unfold, becoming a backdrop for both conflict and attempts at heroism.
- 🏙️ Urban
- 🏪 Convenience Store
What Are the Themes of See You Yesterday?
3 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Time Travel, Loss and Grief and Ambition and Ethics.
-
01
Time Travel
The theme of time travel is central to the film, exploring the desire to change the past and its consequences. C.J. and Bash's repeated attempts to save loved ones highlight the moral dilemmas involved in manipulating time and the unpredictability of outcomes.
-
02
Loss and Grief
The film poignantly addresses themes of loss and grief, particularly through C.J.'s struggle after the death of her brother. These emotions drive her to take extreme measures, underscoring the impact of tragedy on relationships and personal choices.
-
03
Ambition and Ethics
Ambition is a driving force for C.J. as she pursues her dream of inventing a time machine. The ethical implications of her endeavors raise questions about responsibility and the consequences of scientific exploration, reflecting the film's deeper philosophical inquiries.
How Does See You Yesterday End?
The last act of See You Yesterday and what it means, in 307 words. The ending lands as ambiguous. Big spoilers: read the plot summary first if you have not seen it.
The final act, in full
In the final moments of “See You Yesterday,” CJ takes a last, daring trip back in time, using her scientific invention to alter the past once more. Her goal is to save her brother Calvin, who was murdered, and in doing so, she hopes to change everything. The science behind their time travel involves manipulating protons within a wormhole, with the constraints that they can only go one day into the past and have just ten minutes to make a difference before the wormhole collapses. Despite her efforts, CJ’s previous attempts to alter history do not go as planned; her friend Sebastian dies during a previous time jump, and Calvin himself doesn’t survive the original attempt. However, something extraordinary happens when Sebastian’s death is overwritten by CJ’s new trip — Calvin is resurrected. This moment signifies that by changing Sebastian’s fate, CJ inadvertently brings her brother back to life, effectively rewriting the history she knew.
Calvin, although never fully aware of the scientific complexity behind CJ’s actions, recognizes her in a heartfelt moment before he sacrifices himself for the greater good — to prevent a future tragedy. His last words, “See you yesterday,” are a poignant nod to their bond and the science fiction journey they shared. CJ’s last trip emphasizes her willingness to sacrifice her comfort to ensure her brother’s survival, even if it means risking the fabric of reality. The movie concludes with CJ wearing her brother’s dog tags, a symbolic reminder of her connection to Calvin and the sacrifices made. In the end, the film leaves viewers with a sense of hope and the enduring power of love and family, showing that sometimes, to truly save someone, you must be willing to face the unknown — and run toward it, into the past, with faith that life can be altered through science and sacrifice.
What Kind of Film Is See You Yesterday?
Tense in tone, with fast pacing and a complex story, going by the plot summary.
- Tone
- Tense
- Pacing
- Fast
- Story
- Complex
- Intensity
- High
- Ending
- Ambiguous
A high-tension, emotionally heavy science fiction thriller that follows a determined teen's desperate and increasingly frantic attempts to use time travel to avert a personal tragedy, creating a stressful and somber viewing experience.
- grieving
- anxious
- desperate
- urgent
- frustrated
- heavy
- time travel
- grief and loss
- police violence
- scientific ambition
Content notes: police shooting death, gun violence, fatal car accident, grief.
Quiz
How well do you remember See You Yesterday? Test yourself on the story.
