See You Yesterday

Recently, Netflix aired a new original movie titled "See You Yesterday" produced by the one and only Spike Lee, and directed by Stephon Bristol. Set in the summer of 2019, it centers around best friend teenage genius duo, Claudette "CJ" Walker and Sebastian J. Thomas, who work to build a modified time machine for a science expo that will grant multiple scholarships and years worth of recognition. However, when CJ's brother is killed, the two work harder than ever to save him from this unfortunate destiny. I want to discuss the plot, CJ's character development as well as my predictions and thoughts. So stay tuned!

***SPOILERS AHEAD SO READ AT YOUR OWN RISK***

PLOT

The movie opens with CJ and Sebastian testing their TRP's- Temporal Relocation Packs which they explain breaks down their molecular makeup, allowing them to travel through time to their wanted destination. We get a brief cameo of Michael J. Fox (Back to the Future, 1985) as the science teacher of CJ and Sebastian. (If you know me, you know Back to the Future is one of my all time favorite movies... I mean... c' mon! Marty McFly AND he said "Great Scott. But let's continue) He asks her if time travel were possible, what would she do and what would she change, making her think about the ethics, physiological and philosophical duties filled with this ideology.

CJ and Sebastian are working on this time machine so they can take their accomplishment to the science expo and receive scholarships from the best schools in the nation (mentioning Morehouse and Spellman). This movie explores the concept of time travel like many other science fiction films like Back to the Future. But, I like that it is somewhat modified because they are only allowed 10 minutes whereas, in other instances, someone can stay in the past or future for as long as their heart desires. Staying for a limited time gives little time to cause damage, but also raises the stakes on the execution of the plan. (Which adds depth to their situations).

Before they can submit their invention CJ's brother Calvin (played by Astro), unarmed, is killed by a police officer. The audience does not see the incident initially due to screen cutting to black. We are forced to rely on the stories of news reports on media, the details by eyewitnesses and the officer themselves. Similarly, in real life, we don't get the story by the one who was killed, just by the one trying to protect his image.

They two decided to use the time machine to go back one week and save Calvin from being saved but are unsuccessful. They edit their plan from saving Calvin directly to stopping the robbery that led to his murder. Unfortunately, in this timeline, Sebastian is killed in this plan, completely making an alternate universe where Calvin is alive but Sebastian isn't.

Calvin finds the obituary of himself and CJ explains to him what exactly happens. They get help from Eduardo (Johnathon Nieves) and they create a device to place her in the exact spot where CJ and Sebastian enter into the previous week without running into her past self. Going straight to where Calvin is the moments before his death, she and Sebastian desperately try to convince Calvin he needs to leave immediately (showing him his funeral program and the dog tags that only he has), but fail once again. The police show, they are all forced to the ground, and Sebastian is arrested. Calvin watches the funeral program change from his face to Sebastian, and knows he has to be the one who gets killed.

Upset and distraught, CJ and Sebastian jump back into present and he asks her how many times has she traveled without him, and why? When he finds out that this time travel led to his death, he wants out completely. They agree to leave the TRP's alone but CJ locks herself in the garage, her last words being "I love you Sebastian" before she goes back in time once again. We see CJ running and.... the movie ends. Whew.

CHARACTER

CJ does not really have a true character arch. From beginning to end, she remain stubborn and extremely persistent which makes her a little difficult. Not taking away from the fact that she is a genius, but like Calvin stated, she should take time to actually listen to those around her. In most films, the character learns from their mistake and tries to be a better person but CJ is stagnant through and through. Sebastian argues that time travel could make things worse, and brings to her attention that they are trying to control something they "obviously don't have control over". If you have watched any sci-fi centered around the idea of time travel, it is more the complicated. The slighest mishap can lead to multiple disasters. CJ is contempt in her ideas and is not open to other suggestions that are not in her agenda. Her determination to change the one mishap in her life will possibly lead to her destruction in the end.

MY THOUGHTS AND PREDICTIONS

Overall, I really liked this film. When the movie first came out I saw that many people were asking a sequel and that the ending left them empty. In my opinion, it fits the theme of the movie with constant loops and despair for CJ. She never learns from her mistakes and the fact that time will ALWAYS repair itself. Apparently, in this story and time of CJ's life, somebody significant in her life has to die. It is completely inevitable. Life isn't fair and Calvin explains that to her saying, "Nobody deserves this" referencing an unjust death. There is not a cathartic ending, leaving the audience without closure and the interpretation of CJ's fate open for discussion. Is she running to save CJ? Or maybe sacrificing herself in Calvin or Sebastian's place? Is she even going to the same week Calvin was killed? What exactly is her plan? She may be stuck in a continuous loop trying to save those she loves. (or stuck in the quantum realm like Ant-Man).

As for a sequel... I don't think there will be one because it will take away from the suspense left for the audience. The unsettling feeling of not having the conclusion you may want makes you think of multiple possibilities for the characters. (Reminds me of Inception; was he still dreaming?) But I want to know what you all think! Let me know and thanks for chilling with me today!