Summary

River is a unique and entertaining time loop movie that knows when to speed up and when to slow down, offering a refreshing take on a well-worn premise. The film cleverly shifts between different characters, preventing it from becoming repetitive, and introduces new plot twists and romantic interactions to keep things interesting. Riko Fujitani delivers a standout performance as Mikoto, grounding the story with heart and emotion, while the ensemble cast adds levity and makes the film engaging and memorable.

Time loop movies are great. Even though we’ve seen the premise play out numerous times onscreen, most of which have been influenced by Groundhog Day, filmmakers continue using the concept in creative ways. Junta Yamaguchi’s River plays with the conceit from various angles, and the result is oftentimes sweet, hilarious, and chaotic. River knows when to speed up and when to slow down, when to infuse a brief bit of romance, and when to lean into wild sci-fi moments. It’s a film like no other that you’ll see this year, and though not everything works, River is a time loop jaunt that isn’t easy to forget, bolstered by fantastic performances and a deep sense of fun.

In the small Japanese town of Kibune, Mikoto (Riko Fujitani) and the rest of her hotel staff quickly realize they’re stuck in a time loop, repeatedly experiencing the last two minutes. No one is sure why the time loop is happening, with the weather oscillating between slightly rainy to snowy at different points in the loop. Before long, it becomes clear that the hotel staff aren’t the only ones experiencing this bizarre event — the entire town is going through it. They’re all baffled and, as the film goes on, frustrated because nothing seems to work. A late-film twist provides some answers, but not before Mikoto and the rest of the hotel staff come to some realizations about the feelings they perceive have influenced the time loop.

Screenwriter Makoto Ueda cleverly shifts between the distinct group of characters, knowing exactly when to loop back around. Because of the premise, River could have easily gotten boring. After all, time loops can only go on for so long before things begin to get a bit too repetitive. And while there are moments that linger a bit too long before moving forward — the film could have shaved off a good ten minutes of its runtime without losing anything — Yamaguchi and Ueda reel us back into the narrative with unique, creative flourishes that enrich the story and the characters at its center.

It helps that the time loop doesn’t revolve around one character. The inclusion of the hotel staff and the rest of the small town gives River a fresh take on time loops. The ensemble cast’s interactions are at the heart of the film. Considering the time loop only lasts two minutes, the cast has to make the most of their time onscreen, and the scenes are staged so that things never grow tired. New characters, plot twists, and romantic interactions are introduced; some characters even get creative with their time by experimenting, especially as they all become exhausted by the seemingly never-ending time loop. These aspects only add to the film’s charm, and its ability to shift between tender, funny moments to complete chaos and tension makes the story all the more enjoyable to watch unfold.

Fujitani is a standout as Mikoto, and the actress embodies her character’s dreamy nature. She is at the center of the story, and Fujitani does a fantastic job of grounding it, bringing heart and emotion to the role. The rest of the cast, including Saori’s Chino, provide the story with levity, and their interactions are key to the film’s success. All told, River is a fun and engaging entry to the time loop genre, offering a refreshing angle to a well-worn premise. The film is occasionally surprising, and the ensemble cast is excellent and memorable in their roles. And though there are a few parts that slow down the momentum, they never last long enough to shake the story’s foundation and flow, and the result is wildly entertaining.

River screened at 2023’s Fantastic Fest. The film is 86 minutes long and unrated.