115 (2025)

In the ’80s, alien Emily crash-lands near the quaint town of Stony Plain, desperate to find the enigmatic fuel “115.” Stuck in a reverse time loop, she relives her mission daily, struggling to blend in while searching for the elusive substance. Every morning, kindhearted JT offers Emily a ride, and she glimpses something special in him that others overlook. As her encounters with the townsfolk spark hilarious misadventures, she unexpectedly finds love with JT, navigating the complexities of human behavior and dodging jealous Catherine’s advances. Faced with the reality that her salvation lies not in “115,” but in the bonds she’s formed, Emily must choose between her mission and the romantic connection that could break the cycle. A heartwarming, retro sci-fi rom-com that explores love’s power to transcend time and space, and why it takes more than a day to truly fall in love.

“115”, the Canadian rom-com with a sci-fi twist, takes you on a satisfying trip down a “quantum tunnel of love”. The non-linear structure is captivating, and gives real homage to such film classics as “Groundhog Day” and “50 First Dates” with its own quirky “Letterkenny-style” sense of Canadian humour, set in rural Alberta.

There was a clear juxtaposition between the pristine, sterile Star Trek-like alien craft and the warm scenes of a small town, including a local pool hall, dusty roads, and an outdoor keg party — complete with torches and a campfire — at a farm.

It was clearly apparent that all the cast members were enjoying this project to the fullest, and were quite convincing. The two main characters were of special note. Emily’s arc was dramatic, moving from a somber, jerky-moving robot to a fully fleshed-out, graceful character infused with emotion. J.T., though not requiring as much of a character arc, definitely transitioned from a goofy heartthrob, to a more thoughtful romantic lead, grounded in reality.

Filmic elements that heightened the sci-fi flavor of the film were the use of stylish outer space CGI, and a crisp, computer-like voice over. The 80’s-styled wardrobe and tunes were fabulous, exposing my age, by bringing me back to my teenage years! It was a big relief to see Emily reach the end of her tunnel, as true love becomes her fuel.

Review by Julie Sheppard: