Time’s Up (Movie Review)

The countdown to the New Year takes on a whole new kind of significance in Dark Sky Films’ holiday-themed Slasher Time’s Up.

Comes to Digital/VOD on July 18, 2023, and written/directed by L.C. Holt (Spiritus 2018), plus featuring production from Felissa Rose (Sleepaway Camp 1983, Return to Sleepaway Camp 2008), Time’s Up finds a group of local teachers at a faculty party on New Year’s Eve. The school and its staff are still trying to come to terms with the recent suicide of a bullied student when the party atmosphere is dampened even more by the arrival of an uninvited guest. The guest demands that the teachers take part in a scavenger hunt – the only rule being take part or die. Soon it is not clear who will be left alive to ring in the New Year.

Starring Damian Maffei (The Strangers: Prey at Night 2018, Haunt 2019), Hannah Fierman (V/H/S 2012, Siren 2016), Jonathan Tiersten (Sleepaway Camp 1983, The Perfect House 2013) and Dave Sheridan (Scary Movie 2000, The Devil’s Rejects 2005) to name just a few, Time’s Up features a cast chock full of Horror stalwarts. The film also boasts an original score from Alexander Taylor who previously composed the score for Scream, Queen! My Nightmare on Elm Street (2019).

However, in spite of the film’s Horror credentials, Time’s Up does struggle at times to differentiate itself in the Slasher sub-genre. An ominous figure in a mask that invites unwilling participants to play a game that could end in a bloody and gory way is certainly something that audiences have seen before, as is a revenge story in which tormentors become the tormented. That being said, the setting of New Year’s Eve does make for an interesting backdrop to proceedings, and the villain ‘Father Time’ fits in well with the theme of time counting down and eventually running out.

This all said, one element of the film that stands out is the dedication to practical effects. With the exception of one shot which uses CGI, all of Time’s Up effects are practical. This works particularly well in making the gore and violence feel effective, and in particular there is one moment when a character’s arm is broken and then the broken bone is used to stab them in the eye which is as terrifying as it sounds!

Additionally, Time’s Up has some interesting ideas and works up to a point, although it does at times feel as though it was made by two directors with opposing ideas. For example, the New Year’s theme is made important at times and then completely forgotten at others. Some of the characters also feel like an amalgamation of the ideas of two people, thus making it difficult to root for anyone or understand their motivations.

Overall, Time’s Up is a Horror flick that might make for a fun watch on New Year’s Eve, but is one that audiences are unlikely to return to as a holiday tradition. That is why Cryptic Rock gives it 2.5 out of 5 stars.