Time After Time

In 1893 London, renowned writer H.G. Wells demonstrates his time machine to skeptical dinner guests. He explains its workings, including the significance of the 'non-return key' and the 'vaporizing equalizer,' which maintains balance between the traveler and the machine.

The evening takes a turn when police constables arrive, seeking the infamous serial killer Jack the Ripper. They find blood-stained gloves belonging to Herbert's friend, surgeon John Leslie Stevenson, and conclude he might be involved, escalating the tension of the night.

Realizing the urgency, Wells rushes to his lab, only to discover his time machine has disappeared. Stevenson has used it to escape to the future, but since he lacks the 'non-return key,' the machine will return automatically to 1893 without him.

Wells travels to November 5, 1979, where he finds the time machine displayed in a San Francisco museum. Surprised and disoriented, he realizes that he has arrived in a chaotic future vastly different from the utopia he envisioned.

Wells searches for Stevenson in various banks, thinking the Englishman may need to exchange old currency. During this search, he meets Amy Robbins, a liberated bank employee, who later directs him to the Hyatt Regency hotel, believing Stevenson had stayed there.

In the Hyatt Regency hotel, Wells confronts Stevenson, who chillingly expresses his enjoyment of modern society's violence. An argument ensues over returning to 1893, but the situation escalates as they struggle for control of the 'return key.'

During their fight, hotel staff intervene, allowing Stevenson to escape. In a reckless pursuit, he is struck by a car, leading Wells to mistakenly believe he has died from his injuries, fueling his determination to find Amy.

After the confrontation, Wells meets Amy again, where she is surprisingly proactive in their budding romance. Despite his preoccupation with finding Stevenson, Wells finds comfort in their connection as they explore the chaotic future together.

Hoping to convince Amy of the danger, Wells takes her three days into the future, where they discover a newspaper headline predicting her murder. This shocking revelation drives Wells to convince her that they must act quickly to prevent her demise.

Returning to the present, they rush to alert the police about the impending murders, but they are delayed. Stevenson strikes again, and Wells is arrested due to his extensive knowledge of the killings, leaving Amy vulnerable to the Ripper.

At the police station, Wells unsuccessfully pleads his case, labeled a lunatic before he can even mention time travel. Meanwhile, Amy struggles to hide from Stevenson, who has sinister plans of his own.

After killing one of Amy's friends, Stevenson kidnaps her, using her as leverage to obtain the time machine's key from Wells. This twist propels Wells into frantic action, determined to rescue Amy and end Stevenson's murderous spree.

Wells chases Stevenson to the museum, where he must negotiate for Amy's safety. Amidst a tense standoff, she manages to escape, turning the tables on Stevenson and leaving Wells to face him alone.

In a desperate attempt to thwart Stevenson, Wells dismantles a crucial part of the time machine, ensuring that Stevenson cannot return. He makes the heartbreaking decision to leave Amy behind, prioritizing the eradication of the dangerous machine.

As they journey back to 1893, Amy vows to change her name to Susan B. Anthony, hinting at her strong-willed nature. The end credits reveal that despite the chaos, they eventually married, hinting at a hopeful future grounded in their love.