In Time (2011) is a science fiction action film directed, produced, and written by Andrew Niccol. Set in a dystopian future, the film stars Justin Timberlake as Will Salas and Amanda Seyfried as Sylvia Weis. In this society, time has become the primary currency, with individuals genetically engineered to stop aging at 25 years old and given only one additional year to live. Each person has a timer on their forearm that counts down their remaining time, and when it reaches zero, they "time out" and die instantly.
The story begins in 2169 with Will Salas living in the impoverished Time Zone of Dayton. After saving a wealthy man named Henry Hamilton from a gang of time thieves, Will receives a significant amount of time as a gift before Hamilton decides to end his own life. This act sets off a chain of events where Will becomes the target of the Timekeepers, led by Raymond Leon (Cillian Murphy), who believes Will is responsible for Hamilton's death. Following the tragic death of his mother due to lack of time, Will vows to take revenge on the wealthy elite who hoard time while the poor struggle to survive.
As Will navigates through New Greenwich, the affluent Time Zone, he meets Sylvia Weis, the daughter of a powerful businessman. Together, they embark on a mission to redistribute time to those in need while evading the relentless pursuit of Leon and other Timekeepers. The film explores themes of class disparity, mortality, and the value of time in an oppressive society.
In Time received mixed reviews from critics upon its release on October 28, 2011. While some praised its intriguing premise and social commentary, others criticized its execution and pacing. Despite this, the film performed well at the box office, grossing approximately $174 million against a budget of $40 million. The film has since gained a following for its unique concept and thought-provoking narrative.