Director Nicholas Clifford‘s “One More Shot” is a fresh take on the time loop genre, blending comedy, drama, and romance with a bit of science fiction fantasy. This one delivers a lot of cheeky fun.
Set on New Year’s Eve 1999, the film follows Minnie (Emily Browning), a thirtysomething woman who’s been stuck in the “someday” mindset. She stumbles upon a bottle of time-traveling tequila that lets her relive her arrival at a party, taking a shot to go back to the start of the evening each time. The catch? Minnie only has a limited number of shots to change the course of her night — and perhaps even her life.
The setup feels like a loving tribute to the time loop genre, borrowing elements of classics like “Groundhog Day” but with a quirky twist. Setting the time travel element within a very focused and limited window works in the film’s favor, too.
The cast (including Ashley Zukerman, Pallavi Sharda, Sean Keenan, and Aisha Dee) has a great chemistry together, and Browning delivers a charming and endearing performance that anchors the film. She’s relatable in all the right ways, as most of us know what it’s like to be caught between regret, self-doubt, and the desire to change things. This is a story about making peace with the past above all.
The time travel aspect adds a fun layer of unpredictability, and as Minnie keeps going back in time with each shot of tequila, the film strikes a perfect balance between humor and sincerity. There are plenty of unexpected moments that will have you laughing out loud, but there’s also a bittersweet undertone. It’s a reminder of how life can slip by unnoticed, how you don’t always realize when something is the last time until it already is.
The movie gets surprisingly serious at times, even leaning into a bit of a mean streak as Minnie confronts her past, her fears, and her missed opportunities. It’s not a nasty film, though, but one that’s messy and decidedly human.
Unpredictable and heartfelt, “One More Shot” is a charming exploration of time, love, and second chances. It’s a reminder that our short time on Earth is better spent living in the present rather than dwelling on the past.
By: Louisa Moore
Screen Zealots 