Safety Not Guaranteed
2012

Safety Not Guaranteed

★ 6.9 / 10
IMDb
Directed by Colin Trevorrow
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Synopsis

Safety Not Guaranteed is a romantic comedy about a trio of magazine employees who investigate a classified ad from an eccentric supermarket clerk who believes he has solved the riddle of time travel. As they delve deeper into the oddball claims, they find themselves questioning the nature of belief, hope, and the boundaries of the possible.

Why Watch It
A deceptively charming indie that balances quirky humor with genuine emotional vulnerability, anchored by Aubrey Plaza's deadpan brilliance and Jake Johnson's surprisingly earnest performance. The film's twist—moving from satire of obsessive loners to something genuinely tender and bittersweet—lingers far longer than its modest premise suggests.
Did You Know?
  • First feature film directed by Colin Trevorrow.
  • Based on a 1997 Backwoods Home Magazine classified ad.
  • Aubrey Plaza's first starring role in a feature film.
  • The film was shot in only 24 days.
  • The time machine is an actual laser from a science lab.
Iconic Quotes
  • "There are no rules, that is what makes it so fun!"
  • "What makes you think there's something wrong with him?"
  • "What makes you think there's something right with him?"
  • "I just expect the worst and then I'm not disappointed."
  • "I hope you worked for a company that has a good shrink."
Editorial

Why Eltorama recommends this film

Appears in  One-Shot Wonders →
Colin Trevorrow's debut received critical acclaim, but his subsequent films were panned
Appears in  Twisted Timelines →
Three journalists investigate a man who placed a time travel ad.