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7 Splinters in Time (2018) movie poster

Plot Summary

7 Splinters in Time (2018) Plot Summary Explained

Release, runtime and language
2018 · 75 min · English
Echo score 35
JustWatch #12,119 4
Directed by
Gabriel Judet-Weinshel
Starring
Akiva Schaffer, Al Sapienza, Ashley Nicole Anderson, Austin Pendleton, Edoardo Ballerini, Emmanuelle Chriqui

A methodical detective's quiet life is shattered when he finds a man who is his exact double has been murdered. As unsettling memories surface and the lines between reality and fragments of the past become blurred, he reluctantly joins forces with an old friend. Together, they must confront a perplexing mystery of identity and time before the disturbing connection puts them both in danger.

On this page (6)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 What happens: full plot
  3. 3 Plot questions answered
  4. 4 Movie threads
  5. 5 Movies like 7 Splinters in Time
  6. 6 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch 7 Splinters in Time (2018)

Where can you watch 7 Splinters in Time? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on Amazon Prime Video, Hoopla and Fandango at Home Free: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

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Full plot summary · contains spoilers

What Happens in 7 Splinters in Time: Full Plot Summary

The whole story of 7 Splinters in Time (2018) explained, from the opening scene to the final frame: every key event, every twist and what it all adds up to. Read it as a quick recap before the sequel, to check a scene you missed, or to finally understand what really happened.

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.

Last updated: November 16, 2024 at 15:45

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Plot questions answered

7 Splinters in Time Plot Explained: Your Questions Answered

The questions people ask most about 7 Splinters in Time (2018): what happens in the confusing scenes, why the characters do what they do, the twists, hidden details and what the ending means. Each answer contains spoilers.

Q1

Why does Darius discover his own murdered body?

Darius is called to investigate a murder case, only to find the victim is an exact duplicate of himself. This discovery shocks him because he never knew other versions of himself existed. The murdered doppelganger serves as the catalyst that forces Darius into the investigation, revealing the existence of multiple alternate versions of himself created by a botched time-travel experiment.

  • darius doppelganger
  • murder investigation
  • multiple selves
Q2

What was Fyodor Wax's time-travel experiment?

Fyodor Wax was the scientist who conducted a time-travel experiment that went catastrophically wrong. The experiment, which involved Luka and ultimately Darius, fractured reality and created multiple divergent versions of Darius. The botched experiment left Luka shattered and bound the fates of both friends together, with the chaotic aftermath driving the events of the movie.

  • fyodor wax
  • time travel experiment
  • scientist
  • luka
Q3

What happened on the desolate road between Darius and Alise?

A decade before the main events, Darius and Alise experienced a traumatic incident on a desolate road that severed their relationship. This harrowing event left both of them emotionally scarred and explains why their reunion is fraught with buried memories and unresolved pain. The incident serves as the catalyst for their separation and the fragmentation of Darius's past life.

  • alise
  • desolate road
  • trauma
  • breakup
  • memories
Q4

Why do multiple versions of Darius exist?

The multiple Darius versions are products of a fractured timeline caused by Fyodor Wax's failed time-travel experiment. Each timeline branch created a different version of Darius, resulting in various alternate selves with different personalities and agendas. Not all of these doppelgängers share the original Darius's values, which is why some become dangerous.

  • darius clones
  • doppelgangers
  • alternate selves
  • time fragments
Q5

What is Omphalos and why do Darius and Luka go there?

Omphalos is a clandestine location where the time-travel experiment originated and where its consequences are centered. Darius and Luka journey there to confront the source of the chaotic experiment and potentially end it. The journey to Omphalos is both physical and introspective, forcing them to face the manifestations of their past mistakes and the truth about their entangled identities.

  • omphalos
  • location
  • destination
  • confrontation
Q6

Why does the murderous doppelganger want to kill Darius?

One of the alternate Darius versions becomes malevolent and views the original Darius as an obstacle to his own existence. This sinister doppelganger believes eliminating the original will secure his own place in reality. The threat escalates into a race against time as Darius must outsmart this version before he succeeds.

  • murderous doppelganger
  • threat
  • danger
  • antagonist
Q7

How are Luka and Darius connected through the experiment?

Luka's past is directly tied to the botched time-travel experiment conducted by Fyodor Wax. Both friends were affected by the experiment's failure, which shattered Luka and created the multiple Darius versions. Their fates became intertwined through this scientific folly, driving Luka to seek out Fyodor to find answers and help 'brother Darius'.

  • luka
  • connection
  • experiment
  • friendship
  • bond
Q8

What triggers Darius's forgotten memories to resurface?

The discovery of his murdered doppelganger and the subsequent confrontation with alternate versions triggers Darius's forgotten memories to claw their way back. The emergence of other Darius selves disrupts his reality, causing fragmented memories from his obscured past to flood back. These disjointed recollections piece together the puzzle of his fragmented existence.

  • memories
  • flashbacks
  • forgotten past
  • trauma recovery
Q9

What happens at Omphalos in the climax?

At Omphalos, Darius and Luka confront the true nature of their identities and the consequences of the time-travel experiment. The revelations challenge their understanding of self and destiny. Darius must make critical decisions about his future, with the ending being ambiguous rather than providing clear resolution. The confrontational ending leaves the fate of the multiple selves uncertain.

  • omphalos ending
  • climax
  • identity revelation
  • fate
Q10

What is Alise's significance to Darius's story?

Alise represents Darius's lost past and a life that was interrupted by the traumatic road incident a decade earlier. Their romantic reunion reawakens dormant memories and provides emotional context for Darius's fractured identity. The rekindled romance serves as a counterpoint to the otherwise tense narrative, though it remains overshadowed by the central mystery of the multiple selves.

  • alise
  • romance
  • reunion
  • love interest
  • past relationship

Movie threads

More Movies Like 7 Splinters in Time, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes 7 Splinters in Time tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Mind-Bending Identity Crisis Movies like 7 Splinters in Time

Stories where characters grapple with their own shifting, unreliable reality. If you liked the unsettling doppelgänger mystery and psychological fragmentation in 7 Splinters in Time, explore these similar movies. This list features thrilling stories about fractured identities, unreliable memories, and characters confronting unsettling versions of themselves, perfect for fans of complex, paranoid sci-fi.

  • mind-bending
  • paranoid
  • disorienting
  • unsettling
  • thrilling
  • psychological
  • Tone: tense, disorienting, paranoid
  • Pacing: fast, driven by mystery
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative typically begins with a seemingly normal protagonist encountering an anomaly—a double, a gap in memory, or a glitch in reality. This triggers a spiral of investigation and self-doubt, where the line between truth and illusion blurs. The plot structure is often complex and non-linear, mirroring the protagonist's fractured mental state, leading to a climax that redefines their identity.

Why they belong together: Movies in this thread share a core focus on the psychological horror of a crumbling identity. They create a consistent vibe of paranoia and disorientation through fast pacing, high intensity, and complex plots that challenge both the character and the viewer to piece together a fragmented truth.

Complex Sci-Fi Puzzle Thrillers Similar to 7 Splinters in Time

Intricate, fast-paced stories where solving a scientific enigma is a race against time. For viewers who enjoyed the high-stakes time-travel mystery and relentless pacing of 7 Splinters in Time, this collection features similar complex sci-fi thrillers. Discover movies with intricate plots, high-intensity investigations into scientific phenomena, and ambiguous, thought-provoking endings that will keep you guessing.

  • thrilling
  • mind-bending
  • anxious
  • cerebral
  • urgent
  • unsettling
  • Tone: thrilling, tense, mind-bending
  • Pacing: fast, relentless
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The plot is built around a central scientific or metaphysical paradox that needs to be solved. The narrative is driven by discovery and deduction, with new clues and complications arising rapidly. There is little downtime, as the characters are constantly reacting to new threats and information, building towards a climax that often leaves profound questions unanswered.

Why they belong together: These films are connected by their blend of intellectual sci-fi concepts with the urgency and tension of a thriller. They share a specific mix of very complex narratives, fast pacing, high intensity, and an overall tone that is both thrilling and intellectually demanding, resulting in a gripping, mind-bending experience.

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Every angle

7 Splinters in Time (2018) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about 7 Splinters in Time in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

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