Hey, everyone! How’s it going? Today I’m here to review the drama Twice Upon a Time, which completely mesmerized me with its haunting blend of science fiction, romantic obsession, and the dangerous allure of trying to rewrite the past.
Created, written, and directed by Guillaume Nicloux, Twice Upon a Time premiered on Netflix on December 19, 2019. Originally titled “Il était une seconde fois” in French, this miniseries features 4 episodes, each running approximately 50 minutes. First broadcast in France via Arte network in August 2019, this moody sci-fi romance follows Vincent, a heartbroken man who discovers a mysterious package that allows him to travel back in time and relive moments with his ex-girlfriend Louise.
The series masterfully combines elements of psychological drama with science fiction concepts, creating a deeply emotional exploration of love, loss, and the dangerous obsession with second chances. Twice Upon a Time delves into themes of regret, the impossibility of changing the past, and the psychological toll of being unable to let go of a lost relationship.
When Love Becomes a Time-Traveling Obsession
The central premise begins months after Vincent and Louise’s devastating breakup, when a mysterious delivery brings Vincent a strange cube-shaped device. This enigmatic package opens a portal to the past, allowing him to revisit specific moments in his relationship with Louise. What starts as a desperate attempt to understand where things went wrong quickly becomes an obsessive quest to change the outcome of their relationship. The series brilliantly explores how the fantasy of “fixing” past mistakes can become more seductive than facing present reality.
Gaspard Ulliel as Vincent: The Heartbroken Time Traveler
The late Gaspard Ulliel delivers a haunting final performance as Vincent Dauda, capturing the desperation of a man unable to accept the end of his relationship. Ulliel masterfully portrays Vincent’s descent from simple heartbreak into obsessive behavior, showing how his time-traveling ability becomes both salvation and curse. His performance balances vulnerability with an increasingly unsettling intensity, making Vincent both sympathetic and concerning as he becomes more detached from his present life. Ulliel’s portrayal makes Vincent’s emotional journey feel authentic while highlighting the destructive nature of his inability to let go.
Freya Mavor as Louise: The Lost Love Worth Fighting For
Freya Mavor brings complexity to Louise Arron, the object of Vincent’s obsession who must remain unaware of his time-traveling interventions. Mavor’s performance shows Louise as a fully realized person rather than just a romantic ideal, highlighting the gap between Vincent’s memories and the reality of their relationship. Her portrayal emphasizes how Vincent’s romantic fantasies may not align with Louise’s actual feelings and experiences, creating a poignant tension between what he believes they had and what actually existed.
The Cube’s Dark Truth: When Second Chances Come at a Price
As Vincent becomes more addicted to revisiting the past, the series reveals that his mysterious time-traveling device comes with dangerous consequences and sinister origins. The owners of the cube begin pursuing Vincent to recover their property, introducing thriller elements that complicate his already fragile mental state. The show expertly builds tension around the true cost of Vincent’s time travel, suggesting that some prices are too high to pay, even for love.
Supporting Characters: Anchors to Reality
Patrick d’Assumçao as André and the rest of the supporting cast serve as Vincent’s connection to the present world he’s increasingly abandoning. These characters represent the life Vincent is neglecting in favor of his obsession with the past, showing how his time-traveling addiction affects his relationships with friends, work, and his overall mental health. They provide crucial perspective on how Vincent’s behavior appears to those around him, highlighting his growing isolation and detachment from reality.
Mixed Reception on Netflix
Twice Upon a Time earned a 6.2 rating on IMDb, with viewers divided between those who appreciated its artistic approach to sci-fi romance and others who found it slow-paced and emotionally draining. The series received praise for Gaspard Ulliel’s compelling final performance and Guillaume Nicloux’s atmospheric direction, though some critics found the four-episode format insufficient to fully develop its complex themes. Twice Upon a Time succeeded in creating a unique entry in the time travel genre by focusing on emotional consequences rather than action or adventure.
A Melancholic Journey Worth Taking
If you love atmospheric sci-fi dramas with psychological depth and romantic tragedy, Twice Upon a Time is the perfect series to binge on Netflix. The show manages to be both a cautionary tale about the dangers of living in the past and a poignant exploration of how grief can consume us. With its perfect blend of science fiction concepts and emotional realism, this French miniseries proves that the most powerful time travel stories are those that examine the human heart rather than the mechanics of temporal manipulation.
A Beautiful Farewell to a Brilliant Actor
Twice Upon a Time delivers a haunting meditation on love, loss, and the impossible desire to rewrite our most painful moments. While it may be deliberately paced and emotionally challenging, the series succeeds in creating a unique viewing experience that lingers long after the final episode, serving as a fitting tribute to Gaspard Ulliel’s remarkable talent and emotional range.
Series Details
Number of Episodes: 4
Platform: Netflix
Release Year: 2019
Current IMDb Rating: 6.2/10
Genre: Sci-Fi, Romance, Drama
Status: Completed miniseries
Protagonists: Gaspard Ulliel (Vincent), Freya Mavor (Louise)
Antagonist: Time itself and the mysterious owners of the time-travel device