Safety Not Guaranteed
A guarded magazine intern investigates an eccentric time-travel enthusiast and discovers an unexpectedly tender connection amid a quirky coastal-road-trip mystery.
Overview
A quirky exploration of love and time travel that will leave you questioning reality.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- None
- witty
- wistful
- quirky
- lazy sunday
- indie movie night
What critics said
Critics broadly praised the film's strong performances, beguiling charm, nuanced dialogue, and heartfelt story despite its modest ambitions.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Kenneth's claims about his time machine are investigated through gradual revelations while the film preserves uncertainty about whether his project is genuine.
Darius and Kenneth grow closer as their guarded behavior and unresolved past experiences become increasingly legible to one another.
The film combines a classified time-travel advertisement with intimate character drama, modest production scale, and independent filmmaking sensibility.
Darius investigates Kenneth while Jeff pursues a former crush and Arnau seeks formative life experience on the same road trip.
Films like Safety Not Guaranteed, and why
Ruby Sparks
Shares an offbeat romantic premise, emotionally guarded characters, whimsical science fiction, and heartfelt indie tone.
The One I Love
Comparable for its quirky romance, ambiguous magical realism, eccentric characters, and tender exploration of emotional isolation.
Safety Not Guaranteed
Shares low-budget indie charm, deadpan humor, drifting young adults, and a romance shaped by unusual speculative ideas.
Your Sister's Sister
Comparable for its mumblecore-influenced dialogue, unconventional relationship dynamics, and warm but melancholic character comedy.
Movie Details
- Director
- Colin Trevorrow
- Release Date
- 2012-06-08
- Runtime
- 86 min
- Rating
- 6.8 / 10 (1689)
Cast
- Aubrey Plaza
- Mark Duplass
- Jake Johnson
- Karan Soni
- Jenica Bergere
- Kristen Bell
- Jeff Garlin
- Mary Lynn Rajskub
- Lauren Carlos
- Basil Harris
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Safety Not Guaranteed about?
- A guarded magazine intern investigates an eccentric time-travel enthusiast and discovers an unexpectedly tender connection amid a quirky coastal-road-trip mystery.
- What is Safety Not Guaranteed like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Safety Not Guaranteed as measured, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Safety Not Guaranteed violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in Safety Not Guaranteed.
- What did critics think of Safety Not Guaranteed?
- Critics broadly praised the film's strong performances, beguiling charm, nuanced dialogue, and heartfelt story despite its modest ambitions.
- Which films are like Safety Not Guaranteed?
- Films with a similar feel include Ruby Sparks, The One I Love, Safety Not Guaranteed, and Your Sister's Sister.
- How long is Safety Not Guaranteed?
- Safety Not Guaranteed runs 86 minutes.
- Where can I watch Safety Not Guaranteed?
- In United States, Safety Not Guaranteed is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
