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See You Yesterday (2019) movie poster

Characters & Themes

See You Yesterday (2019) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

Release, runtime and language
2019 · 84 min · English
Echo score 65
JustWatch #19,410 3
Directed by
Stefon Bristol
Starring
Myra Lucretia Taylor, Astro, Brett G. Smith, Carlos Arce Jr., Damaris Lewis, Dante Crichlow

Driven by grief and scientific curiosity, two brilliant high school friends, C.J. and Sebastian, invent time-traveling backpacks. They use their creation to journey into the past, hoping to prevent a tragic event. As they attempt to alter history, they face unforeseen consequences and must grapple with the complexities of time, memory, and the sacrifices required for redemption. Their journey becomes a poignant exploration of loss and the enduring power of friendship.

On this page (8)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Characters explained (5)
  3. 3 Where & when it takes place
  4. 4 Themes & meaning (3)
  5. 5 Character & meaning questions
  6. 6 Movie threads
  7. 7 Movies like See You Yesterday
  8. 8 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch See You Yesterday (2019)

Where can you watch See You Yesterday? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on Netflix and Netflix Standard: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

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5 main characters · contains spoilers

See You Yesterday Characters Explained: Who Is Who

The main characters of See You Yesterday (2019), heroes and villains: what drives them, how they change over the course of the story and what each of them reveals about the film's bigger ideas.

  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 21:32

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Setting

Where and When Does See You Yesterday Take Place?

The setting of See You Yesterday (2019): the year and time period, the places and locations, and how they shape the characters, the mood and the tension of the story.

Time period

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.

Location

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

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 21:32

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3 major themes

See You Yesterday Meaning: Themes & Message Explained

What is See You Yesterday (2019) really about? The emotional, social and philosophical themes the film keeps returning to, its symbolism and the message beneath the surface.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 21:32

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Character & theme questions

See You Yesterday Characters & Meaning: Your Questions Answered

The questions people ask about See You Yesterday (2019): who the characters really are, their relationships, what the symbols mean, where it takes place and what the movie is really about. Each answer contains spoilers.

Q1

Where is the movie set?

The story takes place in C.J.'s neighborhood, a bustling urban environment characterized by its local charm. A key location is the convenience store where critical events unfold, serving as both a backdrop for conflict and attempted heroism.

  • urban setting
  • neighborhood
  • convenience store
  • location
Q2

When does the story take place?

The movie takes place primarily around July 4th, a day filled with anticipation for the upcoming science expo and impending summer vacation. This celebration period contrasts sharply with the tragedy that unfolds, highlighting the fragility of life and the choices characters make.

  • july 4
  • time period
  • summer
  • science expo
Q3

What are the main themes of the film?

The film explores three major themes: time travel and its consequences, loss and grief, and the ethical implications of ambition. These themes intertwine to create a poignant story about sacrifice, friendship, and the complexities of trying to change the past.

  • themes
  • time travel
  • grief
  • loss
  • ethics
  • ambition
Q4

Who is C.J. Walker?

C.J. Walker is a determined and ambitious science prodigy who invents time-traveling backpacks with her best friend Bash. Driven by grief over her brother's death, she uses her creation to journey into the past, hoping to prevent the tragedy. Her resilience and emotional depth drive the entire narrative.

  • c.j. walker
  • protagonist
  • science prodigy
  • inventor
Q5

Who is Sebastian 'Bash' Thomas?

Sebastian 'Bash' Thomas is C.J.'s loyal best friend and partner in their time travel experiments. He serves as a voice of reason, often warning about the dangers of manipulating time. His loyalty and bravery ultimately lead to tragic consequences, highlighting the weight of friendship amid adversity.

  • sebastian
  • bash
  • best friend
  • partner
  • loyalty
Q6

Who is Calvin Walker?

Calvin Walker is C.J.'s older brother, whose tragic fate serves as the catalyst for the entire film. His vibrant personality and protectiveness over C.J. make his loss profoundly impactful, illustrating the themes of family bonds and the extreme lengths one will go to for loved ones.

  • calvin walker
  • brother
  • family
  • catalyst
Q7

What does the time travel theme explore?

The time travel theme explores the desire to change the past and the unintended consequences that follow. C.J. and Bash's repeated attempts to save loved ones highlight the moral dilemmas of manipulating time, showing how outcomes become increasingly unpredictable with each intervention.

  • time travel
  • consequences
  • timeline
  • past
  • manipulation
Q8

How does the film address grief and loss?

The film poignantly addresses grief through C.J.'s struggle after losing her brother to police violence. These emotions drive her to take extreme measures, demonstrating how tragedy deeply impacts relationships and personal choices. The emotional weight is heavy, anchored by this profound sense of loss.

  • grief
  • loss
  • death
  • mourning
  • tragedy
Q9

What ethical questions does the film raise about ambition?

The film examines the ethical implications of scientific ambition through C.J.'s pursuit of time travel invention. Her determination raises questions about responsibility and the consequences of scientific exploration, reflecting the film's deeper philosophical inquiries into whether some knowledge is too dangerous to pursue.

  • ethics
  • ambition
  • science
  • responsibility
  • consequences
Q10

What is Mr. Lockhart's role in the story?

Mr. Lockhart is C.J. and Bash's science teacher who encourages their ambitious time travel efforts. His philosophical reflections on the nature of time and ethics greatly influence their journey, emphasizing the importance of considering the repercussions of their inventions.

  • mr lockhart
  • teacher
  • mentor
  • philosophy
  • guidance
Q11

What is the overall tone and emotional weight of the film?

The film has a tense, high-stakes tone driven by the urgent premise of preventing a brother's death. The narrative is complex due to multiple timelines and philosophical questions about time travel ethics. The emotional weight is heavy, combining suspense with the profound grief of losing family and the tragedy of friendship sacrificed to circumstances.

  • tone
  • intensity
  • emotion
  • suspense
  • stakes

Movie threads

More Movies Like See You Yesterday, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes See You Yesterday tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Urgent time travel thrillers like See You Yesterday

Desperate attempts to alter the past spiral into unforeseen tragedies. If you liked the frantic, high-stakes time travel in See You Yesterday, explore these movies where characters race against time to undo a tragedy. These similar sci-fi thrillers feature desperate heroes, ethical dilemmas, and the dangerous, unforeseen consequences of altering the past.

  • urgent
  • desperate
  • anxious
  • grieving
  • frustrated
  • heavy
  • Tone: tense, desperate, somber
  • Pacing: fast, urgent, chaotic
Why these movies?

The story pattern: Stories in this thread typically follow a protagonist who, driven by grief or a singular goal, gains the ability to change a pivotal past event. Their initial success is short-lived, as each intervention creates a domino effect of worse outcomes, leading to a frantic series of attempts to fix the ever-worsening timeline. The narrative structure is built around escalating failures and the protagonist's growing desperation.

Why they belong together: These films are grouped together because they share a core premise of high-stakes, personally motivated time travel. They all feature a fast pace, a tense tone driven by urgency, and a heavy emotional weight stemming from the protagonist's grief and the severe consequences of their actions. The scientific ambition is often overshadowed by the moral and emotional cost.

Grief-driven thrillers with a frantic pace like See You Yesterday

Characters driven by loss into a frantic, high-stakes battle against fate. Movies like See You Yesterday that explore characters using their intelligence and determination to fight back against a tragic loss. These emotionally heavy thrillers share a sense of urgency, a tense atmosphere, and a protagonist whose grief fuels a desperate, high-stakes mission.

  • grieving
  • urgent
  • desperate
  • heavy
  • tense
  • anxious
  • Tone: tense, heavy, somber
  • Pacing: fast, relentless, urgent
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative pattern begins with a traumatic inciting event that defines the protagonist's goal. The story is not about slow mourning but about channeling grief into immediate, frantic action. The pacing is relentless, mirroring the character's psychological state, as they confront obstacles with increasing desperation, often leading to an ambiguous or bittersweet resolution that acknowledges the enduring nature of their loss.

Why they belong together: This thread groups films where the core emotional driver is grief, which directly dictates the film's tense tone and fast pacing. The similarity lies in the fusion of heavy emotional subject matter with the mechanics of a thriller, creating a uniquely stressful and poignant experience where personal tragedy fuels the plot's urgency.

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Every angle

See You Yesterday (2019) Explained: Plot, Ending, Timeline & Characters

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

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