Safety Not Guaranteed is one of those indie films that sneaks up on you. It looks like a quirky comedy, sounds like a sci-fi joke, and then quietly turns into a surprisingly emotional story about grief, trust, and taking a leap of faith. Directed by Colin Trevorrow in his breakout feature, the film blends deadpan humor, melancholy romance, and speculative science fiction in a very human way.
Detailed Summary
The Strange Classified Ad
The story begins when a group of interns at Seattle Magazine stumble upon an unusual classified ad:
“Wanted: Someone to go back in time with me. This is not a joke.”
The ad, placed by Kenneth Calloway, becomes the focus of a potential story, and three magazine employees head out to investigate.
The Journalists on Assignment
Darius Britt, a reserved and observant intern, is sent to research Kenneth. She is joined by Arnau, another intern, and Jeff Schwensen, a jaded staff writer using the trip as an excuse to reconnect with an old flame.
While Jeff pursues his own nostalgic agenda, Darius becomes increasingly interested in Kenneth, who lives a reclusive, paranoid life and truly believes time travel is possible.
Getting Close to Kenneth
Darius earns Kenneth’s trust by responding to the ad sincerely. Kenneth subjects her to bizarre “training” exercises meant to prepare her for time travel. At first, these seem delusional, but Kenneth’s intelligence, emotional depth, and traumatic past slowly emerge.
We learn that Kenneth lost his girlfriend Belinda years earlier and believes her death could have been prevented. His obsession with time travel is deeply tied to unresolved grief and guilt.
Parallel Emotional Arcs
While Kenneth and Darius form a bond, Jeff confronts his own regrets after meeting his former high school girlfriend, now married with children. His attempt to reclaim the past fails, reinforcing one of the film’s central ideas: you can’t always go back, but you can choose how to move forward.
Arnau, meanwhile, experiences his own awkward but sincere emotional growth, discovering unexpected connections during the trip.
The Question of Time Travel
As the film progresses, it deliberately keeps the audience guessing. Is Kenneth a brilliant but traumatized mind, or genuinely on the verge of a scientific breakthrough? His machine appears increasingly sophisticated, blurring the line between fantasy and possibility.
Movie Ending
In the final act, Kenneth reveals that he is ready to test the time machine. Initially, Darius backs out, believing it may be dangerous or delusional. Kenneth prepares to leave alone, accepting that people always abandon him when things get serious.
At the last moment, Darius returns. She chooses to trust Kenneth, not because she fully believes in time travel, but because she believes in him. They get into the machine together as government agents arrive to stop Kenneth.
The machine activates. Instead of exploding or failing, it vanishes in a burst of light.
The final shot shows birds scattering into the sky, strongly implying that the time machine worked and that Kenneth and Darius successfully traveled through time.
The ending intentionally avoids explanation. What matters is not how time travel works, but the emotional leap both characters take. Kenneth faces his grief. Darius escapes her emotional isolation. The film closes on the idea that sometimes belief itself is the breakthrough.
Are There Post-Credits Scenes?
No. Safety Not Guaranteed does not include any post-credits or mid-credits scenes. The story ends definitively with its final image, and the ambiguity is intentional.
Type of Movie
Safety Not Guaranteed is best described as a character-driven indie film that blends romantic drama, comedy, and soft science fiction. Rather than focusing on spectacle, it prioritizes emotional realism and personal transformation.
Cast
- Aubrey Plaza as Darius Britt
- Mark Duplass as Kenneth Calloway
- Jake Johnson as Jeff Schwensen
- Karan Soni as Arnau
- Kristen Bell as Liz
Film Music and Composer
The score was composed by Ryan Miller, frontman of the band Guster. The music is understated and reflective, reinforcing the film’s intimate tone rather than pushing traditional sci-fi grandeur.
Filming Locations
The movie was filmed primarily in Seattle, Washington, and surrounding suburban areas.
These locations matter because:
- They reinforce the grounded, everyday realism of the story
- The quiet neighborhoods contrast with the extraordinary idea of time travel
- The setting emphasizes emotional isolation rather than futuristic wonder
Awards and Nominations
- Sundance Film Festival 2012 – Official Selection
- Independent Spirit Awards – Best First Screenplay (nomination)
- Critics’ Choice Movie Awards – Best Comedy (nomination)
The film was especially praised for its screenplay and performances.
Behind the Scenes Insights
- The story was inspired by a real classified ad published in Backwoods Home Magazine
- Colin Trevorrow expanded a short screenplay concept into a feature-length script
- Mark Duplass was deeply involved in shaping Kenneth’s emotional realism
- The film was shot on a relatively low budget, contributing to its naturalistic tone
Inspirations and References
- Real-life newspaper classified ads
- Classic sci-fi concepts treated metaphorically rather than literally
- Indie character studies focused on grief and emotional repression
Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes
No official alternate ending has been released. However, early drafts reportedly leaned more heavily toward ambiguity, with less visual confirmation that the machine worked. The final version was chosen to reward emotional commitment with a hopeful payoff.
Book Adaptations and Differences
Safety Not Guaranteed is not based on a book. It is an original screenplay, though it draws inspiration from real-world pop culture oddities and speculative science fiction themes.
Memorable Scenes and Quotes
Key Scenes
- Darius responding sincerely to the classified ad
- Kenneth explaining why he wears body armor
- Jeff realizing he cannot reclaim his past
- The final activation of the time machine
Iconic Quotes
- Kenneth: “I’m doing this because I made a mistake, and I want to fix it.”
- Darius: “I think people want to believe in something extraordinary.”
Easter Eggs and Hidden Details
- The classified ad shown in the film closely resembles the real one that inspired the script
- Kenneth’s notebooks contain real mathematical formulas mixed with nonsense
- The government agents near the end are intentionally unexplained to heighten tension
Trivia
- This was Colin Trevorrow’s debut feature film
- Aubrey Plaza’s restrained performance was praised as a major career turning point
- The movie helped launch Trevorrow’s path to directing Jurassic World
Why Watch?
You should watch Safety Not Guaranteed if you enjoy thoughtful indie films that trust the audience. It’s about time travel on the surface, but underneath it’s about grief, connection, and the courage to believe again. Quiet, sincere, and emotionally rewarding.
Director’s Other Works
- Jurassic World (2015)
- The Book of Henry (2017)
- Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (2019)
Recommended Films for Fans
- Her (2013)
- Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)
- Primer (2004)
- About Time (2013)
- Ruby Sparks (2012)
