Thirteen Years Later, This Rachel McAdams Film Remains a Time-Travel Masterpiece

Throughout her career, Rachel McAdams has practically cornered the market on playing the partner of men with chronological baggage. Only four years after starring alongside Eric Bana in The Time Traveler’s Wife (2009), she played the role of Mary in the 2013 gem About Time. On the surface, the film presents as a whimsical time-travel rom-com where Tim Lake (Domhnall Gleeson) uses a hereditary gift to secure his dream romance. However, the story quickly evolves into a profound meditation on the beauty of the mundane. While it retains the charm of a classic romance, About Time ultimately offers a philosophical depth that lingers long after the credits roll.

With McAdams appearing in Sam Raimi’s upcoming psychological thriller Send Help, arriving in theaters on January 30, it is the perfect occasion to revisit one of her most earnest and touching performances.

Directed by the master of British sentimentality, Richard Curtis (Love Actually, Notting Hill), the film is anchored by Domhnall Gleeson’s gentle narration. Rather than serving as a standard plot guide, his voiceover feels like an intimate confession. Tim speaks as someone re-examining his life with fresh eyes, discovering nuance in moments he once took for granted.

Gleeson’s performance is understated and sincere, lending a sense of domestic warmth to the film’s loftier concepts. His affection for his family—particularly his spirited sister, “Kit Kat”—is palpable, grounding the fantastical elements in genuine human emotion.

The film’s approach to time travel is notably low-key. Tim’s father, portrayed with effortless charisma by Bill Nighy, introduces the concept not as a superhero origin story, but as a quiet family legacy. It is treated as a tool for introspection and intentional living. This grounded perspective is exactly why the film resonates; it’s less about the mechanics of rewriting history and more about the wisdom of embracing the present moment.

Tim’s attempt to woo Mary is nearly derailed when he inadvertently erases their first meeting while trying to help a friend. Rather than playing this for cheap laughs, About Time captures a genuine sense of anxiety. Tim is forced to realize that even with the ability to repeat time, certain connections are fragile and impossible to replicate. It serves as a reminder that trying to manipulate life into a state of perfection can often lead to losing the very magic you were trying to preserve.

Rachel McAdams provides the film’s emotional center by playing Mary with refreshing authenticity. She avoids the tropes of a “manic pixie dream girl,” instead delivering a performance that is relatable and grounded. The subtle shifts in her reactions during Tim’s various attempts to meet her underscore her versatility. While Tim is often preoccupied with getting things “right,” Mary’s quiet confidence and authentic warmth provide the perfect counterpoint, making their bond feel entirely earned.

As the narrative progresses, the focus shifts from the pursuit of love to more universal themes of aging and the bittersweet nature of life. Time travel eventually becomes a lens through which we view the inevitability of loss. The film concludes with a poignant message: that being present in the small, ordinary moments is more valuable than having the power to relive them forever.

If you find yourself needing a heartfelt antidote to the high-stakes intensity of Send Help, the soulful and sentimental About Time is an essential watch.

About Time is available for streaming on Paramount+ until Feb. 2, and can be rented or purchased on Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, and Fandango at Home.

Source: Polygon