14 Years Later, Cillian Murphy’s 36% RT Sci-Fi Flick Deserves a Second Chance (& It’s a Stealth Masterpiece)

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In 2011, the creator of *The Truman Show* released a science fiction film that, despite a strong cast, didn’t perform well at the box office and was overshadowed by other popular movies. Critics at the time felt the film’s ideas weren’t executed effectively. It quickly faded from public view, becoming a forgotten sci-fi thriller. Although the director, Andrew Niccol, hoped to make a sequel, the film’s initial lack of success prevented it.

Originally released over a decade ago, this sci-fi film has recently gained renewed popularity thanks to streaming platforms. Viewers are rediscovering it as a hidden gem, praising its strong cast and imaginative world. The movie is set in a dystopian future where people stop aging at 25 but must die at 26, and it explores themes of wealth disparity and social inequality, raising compelling questions about society.

In Time Depicts A Hunger Game-Like Dystopian Society

When it first came out, the sci-fi film *In Time* wasn’t well-received, even though it starred Justin Timberlake, Amanda Seyfried, Cillian Murphy, and other popular actors. It didn’t make much money and critics were harsh. However, after 14 years, some viewers are starting to see it as a hidden gem. The movie is set in a future where time is literally money. People stop aging at 25, but only have a year to live unless they can get more time from others. The world is divided into zones, and traveling between them can cost months – even a year to reach the wealthiest area where people live indefinitely. The film follows a protagonist who, like Katniss Everdeen in *The Hunger Games*, is a victim of a flawed system, and the story centers on a revolution to dismantle it.

The movie centers on Will Salas, played by Timberlake, and Sylvia Weis, played by Seyfried. Unlike other on-screen pairs, they come from completely different backgrounds. Will needed Sylvia’s help to achieve his goals, and Sylvia was stuck in a rut until Will came into her life. Together, they make a compelling duo, robbing banks and giving the money to those in need. However, they quickly realize that their actions are actually making things more expensive for everyone. Will and Sylvia need to make a significant impact to truly change the system. While *In Time* takes place in a dangerous world, it ultimately offers a hopeful message. Surprisingly, the central storyline isn’t even the most captivating part of the film.

In Time Features Many Great Characters

The 2011 science fiction film excels at creating a detailed and captivating world with memorable characters. Actor Matt Bomer played Henry, a wealthy man weary of his immortality. During a desperate attempt to end his life in the poorest part of the city, Henry encountered Will, granting him a century of life but only five minutes to bid farewell to everything he knew. Though a supporting role with limited screen time before his character’s death, Bomer’s portrayal of Henry served as the pivotal moment that motivated Will’s journey. Henry provided Will with crucial information about the world, ultimately leading to significant change. Bomer’s performance is particularly striking, convincingly portraying a man who once enjoyed a life of luxury but now despises it. Despite being arguably the most difficult character to connect with, Henry is as compelling as the movie’s other standout character, the timekeeper.

The film allows the audience to witness the antagonist’s complex emotions – shame, anger, defeat, and a sense of caution. What makes *In Time* particularly compelling is the nuanced performance in the role of Raymond Leon, the timekeeper. As a figure of authority who maintains order, Leon initially appears trustworthy and is meant to garner audience sympathy. However, Murphy intentionally avoids portraying him as a simple villain. Instead, he delivers a layered and conflicted performance, showing a stubborn character wrestling with internal struggles.

The detective immediately recognized the importance of Will Salas’s case, especially considering what happened to Will’s father. However, his efforts to contain the situation were thwarted when Will and Sylvia teamed up. What’s impressive about the movie is that it subtly reveals Murphy’s motivations and inner feelings, avoiding the simple portrayal of a villain. His dialogue is thought-provoking, and the revelation of his background – growing up in the same impoverished area as Will – adds a powerful layer to his character. It’s surprising to learn that someone from such a disadvantaged background became a timekeeper. Having escaped his own time zone, Murphy joined the system to ensure the continued poverty of others, simply to survive. *In Time* skillfully balances giving each character enough focus to be compelling, while still maintaining an air of mystery around them.

Johnny Galecki plays Borel, a compelling character who acts as a foil to Will, making the choices Will avoids. Borel lives a spontaneous life, getting married and having a child, but struggles with alcoholism as a way to deal with his problems. When Will extends his lifespan, Borel tragically drinks himself to death. This death encourages viewers to consider the value of life and time – how both can be wasted, leading to unfortunate consequences.

The movie *In Time* includes a group of criminals who forcibly steal time from others – an ironic plot point, considering they aren’t pursued by the authorities. The protagonist, Will, is immediately targeted when he gains a significant amount of time, despite the criminals operating freely. Even after Will legitimately wins thousands of years, he’s denied the right to keep it due to concerns about setting a bad example. Ultimately, the movie’s intricate details and supporting elements are often more captivating than the performances of the main actors.

Cillian Murphy Was Drawn To The Timekeeper Role

In a world where people stop aging at 25, everyone appears perpetually young. This creates unusual family dynamics, like Sylvia, her mother, and grandmother all looking roughly the same age, and Sylvia’s father looking younger than her. It also presents a challenge for actors, many of whom are playing characters significantly older than they appear. For example, Bomer plays a 105-year-old, and Vincent Kartheiser portrays a character who is 110. The film *In Time* focuses on how these characters behave and speak, highlighting the subtle details that reflect their advanced age – a key reason it drew such a talented cast.

Cillian Murphy took on the role of the Timekeeper for two key reasons. First, he was excited to portray a character much older than himself – a 75-year-old who has worked for 50 years, starting at age 25. He found this age range a compelling acting challenge. He also saw the character, Raymond, as complex – someone who upholds a system he secretly opposes, but does so to survive and avoid taking more time than needed. Murphy described these qualities as fantastic elements to explore as an actor. Secondly, he was eager to work with director Andrew Niccol, whose films Gattaca and The Truman Show Murphy greatly admires and considers classics of the science fiction genre. This role was also a departure for Murphy, as he hadn’t previously played an authority figure.

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2025-10-12 16:08