Slasher Films Make a Comeback in Netflix’s “Time Cut”
If you blinked, you might have missed it – slasher films are back in style! Gone are the days of the late Nineties and early Noughties classics like “Scream” and “I Know What You Did Last Summer,” but fear not, they have made a return. However, in 2024, the traditional slasher film has evolved into something new. Writers and directors are now blending classic slasher tropes with other genres to create a fresh take on the genre. Films like “Freaky,” “Happy Death Day,” and “It’s A Wonderful Knife” are pushing the boundaries of what a slasher film can be.
Enter Netflix’s latest offering, “Time Cut,” a time-travel-meets-slasher-meets-nostalgia-romp starring “Outer Banks” actress Madison Bailey as Lucy, a high-school student who finds herself transported back to 2003, just days before her sister’s murder. Director Hannah MacPherson, along with co-writer Michael Kennedy, taps into nostalgia by immersing the film in 2003 culture – think velour tracksuits, Sony Discmans, and a soundtrack featuring Vanessa Carlton and Avril Lavigne. Lucy’s disdain for dial-up modems adds a humorous touch, but some of the film’s jabs at the past feel unnecessary.
Despite the charm of the two leads, “Time Cut” falls short with its stereotypical characters and lackluster plot. The film relies on tired clichés of jocks, parents, and high school cliques, missing the mark on originality. And for a movie focused on time travel, the mechanics are glossed over in favor of unimaginative kills and a predictable villain. The lack of a central theme leaves viewers wondering if the film’s main idea was simply to poke fun at a teenager out of her element in 2003.