In the realm of animated storytelling, Andrew Stanton has held a revered position, thanks to his iconic works like *Finding Nemo* and *Wall-E*. However, his latest venture, *In the Blink of an Eye*, has arrived with a disappointing thud, failing to hit the emotional and narrative heights one would expect from a director of his calibre. After several years of delays, this ambitious sci-fi epic, co-starring Rashida Jones and Kate McKinnon, has finally made its way to Hulu, but the journey has proven to be far more torturous than triumphant.
A Rocky Start
The film opens with a Neanderthal man, portrayed by Jorge Vargas, navigating a treacherous beach 45,000 years ago. His decision to scale a daunting rock face—a quest for sustenance or perhaps a better perspective—results in a harrowing fall, punctuated by the sickening sound of impact. This moment, intended to illustrate the precariousness of early human life, also serves as an apt metaphor for the film’s own troubled production. Originally filmed in 2023, *In the Blink of an Eye* has taken nearly three years to reach audiences, a timeline that raises eyebrows and suggests that perhaps the final product would be a convoluted mess rather than a cohesive narrative.
An Ambitious Yet Confusing Narrative
Written by Colby Day, the film ambitiously attempts to encapsulate the entirety of life—from the Big Bang to distant future worlds—yet struggles to find a coherent voice. The emotional depth is reminiscent of a shallow tide pool, while the complexity feels akin to the simplicity of ancient cave paintings. The narrative is punctuated by a quote from Sylvia Plath: “Remember, remember, this is now, and now, and now,” a line that, unfortunately, resonates more as a reminder of the film’s chaotic storytelling than as an insightful reflection.
The film features a Neanderthal family—Thorn, Hera, and Lark—whose prehistoric existence is portrayed using prosthetics that evoke memories of the Geico caveman, lending an unintentional comedic tone to the proceedings. In the present day, Jones plays Claire, an anthropology professor whose explanations about her work seem riddled with continuity errors and a surprising lack of seriousness. Meanwhile, McKinnon enters the fray as a “longevity” pilot tasked with colonising a new planet, accompanied only by an AI companion voiced by Jones. The potential for comedy is present, but it often falls flat, leaving viewers grappling with a confusing mix of timelines and themes.
The Disconnect of Themes
Despite its 94-minute runtime, *In the Blink of an Eye* is plagued by a lack of clear narrative direction. The film attempts to explore fundamental human experiences—love, companionship, and survival—yet these themes come across as stripped of their visceral essence. Claire’s fleeting connection with statistics professor Greg, played by Daveed Diggs, serves as an example of this disconnect; their relationship feels more like a plot device than a genuine connection. As characters navigate their struggles, the film often resembles a History Channel simulation rather than the epic sci-fi adventure it aspires to be.
Ironically, the most compelling moments emerge from the Neanderthal storyline. Their primitive existence, filled with raw simplicity, offers a glimpse into survival that feels more profound than the convoluted future sequences. The audience is left yearning for a deeper exploration of the wonder and awe that life can offer—an exploration that this film ultimately fails to deliver.
Why it Matters
*In the Blink of an Eye* serves as a reminder of the challenges inherent in ambitious storytelling, particularly within the sci-fi genre. While Stanton’s previous works have set a high bar, this film falters in its execution, leaving audiences with a sense of what could have been. In a landscape where narratives of human experience and survival are more relevant than ever, this film’s failure to resonate underscores the importance of clarity and emotional depth in storytelling. As viewers, we are left to ponder the fragility of our existence and the narratives that shape our understanding of life—elements that this film, in its chaotic ambition, regrettably overlooks.
