The premise of My Future You sounds like something pulled out of a fever dream written by a starry-eyed techie and a hopeless romantic. A dating app that lets you match with someone in the past or future? Sure, why not. In this Filipino romantic comedy directed by Crisanto Aquino, the bizarre idea is given a lot of heart, a dash of comedy, and just enough logic to keep you fascinated, even if you generally roll your eyes at time travel clichés.
The plot centers on Karen, a 17-year-old in 2009, and Lex, a young man living in 2024. They meet through this peculiar dating app that only works during a rare comet’s passing. It’s all very convenient, but the film doesn’t linger too much on explaining the mechanics, which, honestly, is a good call. Instead, it dives straight into the connection between the two leads. What begins as playful chats soon morphs into emotional investment, with Lex and Karen learning about each other’s lives, regrets, and dreams.
At the heart of it, My Future You is not just a love story between two people, but also a love story about family, particularly Karen's fractured home life. Her mission soon becomes clear: if she can change one key event in her past, maybe she can prevent her parents' separation. Lex, driven by his own past heartbreak and a strong emotional pull toward Karen, decides to help. But, as one might expect, meddling with the past rarely goes as planned. Each time Karen tweaks her decisions with Lex’s guidance, something else unravels—new problems crop up, and new regrets are born.
Francine Diaz plays Karen with a lot of emotional nuance. She’s not just a wide-eyed girl with a crush; she carries the weight of someone deeply affected by family turmoil. Her performance is sincere and surprisingly grounded for a character caught in a sci-fi scenario. Seth Fedelin’s Lex, on the other hand, is quietly compelling—he’s not overly dramatic or charming to the point of unbelievability. Instead, he feels like a real young man trying to make sense of life, carrying his own unspoken regrets while being slowly pulled into Karen’s world.
The picture maintains a lighthearted tone throughout. The writing is witty without trying too hard, the comedy is effective more often than not, and the characters speak and behave with a young honesty. There are no great vows of love from the rooftops or long speeches. The affair progresses gradually, with fondness increasing through small gestures, embarrassing times, and the rare text message that conveys more than it appears to.
Visually, the film is pleasing. Lighting, clothing design, and other background elements help to create a pleasant contrast between the 2009 and 2024 environments. The 2009 scenes feel warm and nostalgic without being unduly styled, whereas 2024 appears slightly sleeker but still approachable. The transitions between timeframes are handled effectively, with app notifications and beautifully edited split screens keeping the viewer anchored.
Still, My Future You isn’t without hiccups. The time travel notion, while fascinating, is never completely developed. It functions more as a magical realism story device than a structured sci-fi framework. That's good for this genre, but there are a few instances when you wish the film went a bit deeper. Questions such as, "How is this possible?" Why only now? Why Karen and Lex, of all people? These are not required to enjoy the narrative, but the answers may have provided a layer of depth.
Another minor shortcoming is the supporting cast. Karen's parents, while important to the storyline, feel quite hollow. Their disagreement is basic, and their reasons aren't adequately explored, so Karen's desire to reconcile things feels a little rushed. In addition, several of the ancillary characters, such as Karen's pals or Lex's prospective connections, come and go without leaving a lasting impact. The film would have benefited from either trimming these roles or giving them more substance.
But despite these flaws, the movie wins you over with its heart. It’s sweet without being saccharine, hopeful without being naïve. It understands the bittersweet nature of growing up and learning that not everything can—or should—be fixed. Sometimes, the best we can do is be present, listen, and try again.
My Future You is a delightful surprise: inventive, emotionally intelligent, and full of gentle charm. It's a love tale presented across time, but it's also based on very genuine emotions like longing, regret, and hope.
Final Score- [7/10]
Reviewed by - Anjali Sharma
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Publisher at Midgard Times