James vs. His Future Self

James vs. His Future Self

Year: 2019

Runtime: 93 mins

Language: English

Director: Jeremy Lalonde

Echo Score: 73
Science FictionDramaComedy

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.

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Timeline & Setting – James vs. His Future Self (2019)

Explore the full timeline and setting of James vs. His Future Self (2019). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Present day, with flashes to past and potential future

The film takes place in contemporary times, centering on James's current life and ambitions. It intercuts with memories of the past fifteen years since their parents' death and visions of a possible future self. Time travel is depicted as moving backward in time, requiring James to live out the intervening period in isolation to return to the present. The climax hinges on whether James chooses change or clings to his pursuit.

Location

Laboratory, CERN (Switzerland), Lake, Café

The story unfolds primarily in a modern research laboratory where James pursues a breakthrough, with a key secondary setting at CERN in Switzerland as Courtney contemplates joining the project. A lakeside location serves as James's meditation spot where he confronts his obsession. The café at the end is where time-displaced versions of the characters converge, tying the physical spaces together.

🔬 Science Lab 🇨🇭 CERN (Switzerland) 🏞️ Lake setting ☕ Café

Last Updated: October 01, 2025 at 12:19

Main Characters – James vs. His Future Self (2019)

Meet the key characters of James vs. His Future Self (2019), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

James (Jonas Chernick)

A theoretical physicist whose drive to perfect his theory defines his life. He is highly intelligent, skeptical of optimistic forecasts, and increasingly consumed by his research. His obsession strains his relationships, leaving only his sister Meredith and Courtney as confidants. As the story unfolds, he wavers between chasing a breakthrough and embracing a more present, connected life.

🧠 Obsessive 🔬 Scientist 🤔 Skeptical 🎯 Determined

Jimmy (Daniel Stern)

James's future self, who appears to warn him against his escalating obsession. He urges James to live in the moment and to consider the cost of his ambitions. Jimmy teaches meditation and tries to guide James toward a more balanced path. His presence fades as James begins to change, underscoring the transient nature of opportunity.

🕰️ Time traveler 🚨 Warning source

Meredith (Tommie-Amber Pirie)

James's sister, still grappling with their parents' death fifteen years earlier. She wants them to finally spread their ashes and to confront their shared grief. Meredith acts as a grounding, empathetic counterpoint to James's scientific fever, urging him to address personal loss. Her perspective anchors the emotional core of the story.

💔 Grieving 👭 Sister 🕊️ Caring

Courtney (Cleopatra Coleman)

A close confidant and fellow scientist who plans to leave for a position at CERN in Switzerland. She provides inspiration for James's research but becomes the focal point of his distraction and emotional tension. Courtney's departure marks a turning point in the narrative, testing James's resolve between love and ambition. Her presence underscores the push-pull between personal relationships and scientific progress.

🎯 Ambitious 🧪 Scientist ✈️ Departing

Dr. Rowley (Frances Conroy)

James's research supervisor and a pivotal figure in the project. She represents the professional ambition and institutional momentum driving the laboratory forward. The threat of her commitment to the new project heightens the urgency of Jimmy's warnings. Her injury during the climactic moment underscores the perilous stakes of the pursuit.

👩‍🏫 Scientist ⚖️ Ambitious 🗂️ Leader

Last Updated: October 01, 2025 at 12:19

Major Themes – James vs. His Future Self (2019)

Explore the central themes of James vs. His Future Self (2019), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

⏳ Time & Consequences

Time is a tangible force that shapes choices and outcomes. The presence of Jimmy as a backward-traveling future self forces James to reckon with long-term consequences of his obsession. The plot uses time shifts to highlight how small decisions ripple forward, influencing relationships and the path of scientific pursuit. Ultimately, the film suggests that acknowledging and adapting to time's limits is essential.

🧠 Obsession & Sacrifice

James's single-minded drive to prove his theory isolates him from friends and family. Jimmy's warnings emphasize the cost of letting ambition eclipse personal connections. The narrative reveals how obsession can drive dramatic, even dangerous, actions in the pursuit of a breakthrough. The resolution suggests balance between ambition and living in the moments that matter.

🕊️ Grief & Closure

Meredith's push to confront their parents' death highlights how unresolved grief fuels James's motivation. The ashes ritual becomes a catalyst for choosing between memory and forward motion. Courtney's departure to CERN marks a rite of passage that reframes personal longing against professional ambition. The ending implies healing can coexist with scientific aspiration.

Last Updated: October 01, 2025 at 12:19

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