Sundance Review: In the Blink of an Eye Struggles With Sci-Fi Ambition

The Sundance Film Festival often showcases bold storytelling, but In the Blink of an Eye has left audiences divided. Premiering Monday in Park City, Utah, the film attempts to merge sweeping scientific ideas with human emotion. Unfortunately, critics argue its execution falls short, leaning on clichés and uneven storytelling.

Three Interwoven Timelines

The film unfolds across three distinct eras. In 45,000 B.C.E., a Neanderthal family struggles for survival. In 2025, Claire (Rashida Jones), a Princeton anthropology doctoral student, juggles career ambitions, family obligations, and a budding romance with Greg (Daveed Diggs). In 2117, Coakley (Kate McKinnon) navigates a centuries-long space mission with only artificial intelligence for company. While the premise promises depth, the connections between timelines are revealed late in the film and feel contrived. Claire’s fossil research ties back to the Neanderthal storyline, while Coakley’s futuristic mission attempts to echo themes of survival and legacy.

Characters Undermined by Tropes

Claire’s arc aims to explore the balance between career, relationships, and caregiving. Yet critics note it indulges in tired stereotypes of women “trying to have it all.” Emotional beats, such as her accidental confession of love during a Zoom call, feel forced rather than authentic.

The Neanderthal storyline fares better, perhaps because it avoids dialogue-heavy clichés. However, the future narrative suffers from rushed time jumps and inconsistent technology, reducing itself to what one critic described as “a cheap Syfy channel movie.”

Performances vs. Script

Despite the flaws, the cast delivers respectable performances. Rashida Jones brings nuance to Claire’s struggles, Daveed Diggs adds charm, and Kate McKinnon grounds the futuristic storyline with her trademark wit. Yet the script undermines their work, leaving emotional moments feeling hollow.

Scientific Themes

The film deserves credit for attempting to challenge assumptions about Neanderthal intelligence and humanity’s evolutionary journey. However, its exploration of futuristic science falters. Concepts like altering DNA to prevent aging are introduced without addressing real-world implications such as overpopulation.

Comparisons to Cloud Atlas

The film invites comparisons to Cloud Atlas (2012), which successfully wove six interconnected stories across time. By contrast, In the Blink of an Eye collapses under the weight of only three, failing to establish a consistent or compelling sci-fi canon.

Streaming Release

Despite mixed reviews, In the Blink of an Eye will reach a wider audience when it begins streaming on Hulu on February 27. For viewers intrigued by ambitious sci-fi experiments, the film may still offer moments of visual and thematic interest, even if its execution leaves much to be desired.