Timecrimes 4K Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		5.0
Overall		4.5

Timecrimes 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf March 15, 2026

2007’s “Timecrimes” is the directorial debut for Nacho Vigalondo. He’s gone on to create such pictures as 2016’s “Colossal” and 2024’s “Daniela Forever,” offering unusual blends of dark humor and fantasy/sci-fi interests, and his debut feature introduces a helmer ready to impress with his command of twisty storytelling. A time-travel tale of increasing panic, “Timecrimes” is a small-scale study of self-destruction, with Vigalondo trying to play with confusion and dark clarity as he creates an evening of horror for a man who simply wants to rest in his house in the country. The movie runs out of steam before it finds an ending, but Vigalondo provides a good hour of appealing disorientation and mystery, making for an enjoyable brain- bleeder.

Hector (Karra Elejalde) is just looking for peace and quiet as he joins his wife, Clara (Candela Fernandez), in the country, with the pair working to renovate their home. Hector hopes to enjoy a good nap in the afternoon, but he can’t quiet his mind, electing to join Clara outside, getting some use out of binoculars as he studies the forest around him. Instead of finding nature, Hector spies a naked woman in distress, immediately looking to investigate the situation. Hector is stabbed by a stranger in bloody bandages, making his way to a remote scientific building, contacting The Scientist (Nacho Vigalondo), who encourages the panicky man to seek safety inside a large pod, which closes around him. Pulled out of the device, Hector learns he’s time traveled back 90 minutes, turning him into Hector 2, while Hector 1 is back at his house, monitoring the forest with his binoculars. Newly stuck in a confusing and dangerous situation, Hector 2 sets out to understand what’s happening, returning to his past to preserve his future.

“Timecrimes” starts with a touch of peace before many forms of chaos commence. Vigalondo does well with introductions, presenting Hector as someone ready to relax, fed up with the demands of responsibility, wanting nothing more than a nap. When he can’t fall asleep, he takes to a study of nature to calm himself, finding a bit more than he bargained for when he spies a woman taking off her shirt in the woods. “Timecrimes” provides strange visuals to help disturb viewer expectations, including the presence of man in bloody bandages who knows Hector is watching him. Vigalondo delivers a Hitchcockian set-up for the story, and puts Hector on the move, placing him in danger as he survives a scissor attack, inspiring him to run away to find help.

Everything changes for Hector and “Timecrimes” when he meets The Scientist. Vigalondo wants to develop a mystery, and he carefully assembles confusion for Hector, who’s facing a madman on the outside and an enigmatic figure inside the building, putting trust in The Scientist to help him in his time of need. A time travel device is activated, and the writing begins a lengthy climb up a hill of motivations and character position, as the newly christened Hector 2 learns more about The Scientist’s concept of “reflection” and his own place as a sudden outsider to his old life. “Timecrimes” creates a nightmare scenario for Hector 2, but Vigalondo moves slowly with the feature, out to generate a puzzle of realities and actions that grows more knotted as the story unfolds.

Timecrimes 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The image presentation (1.85:1 aspect ratio) for "Timecrimes" is listed as "presented in Dolby Vision and newly scanned and restored from its 35mm DI negative." Already a grungy movie to begin with, "Timecrimes" enjoys some refreshed detail during the viewing experience, exploring decent skin particulars on the cast, who offer hair, wounds, and exposure throughout the endeavor. Exteriors maintain interesting depth with tours of the forest and action around living spaces. Interiors preserve decorative additions, visiting science labs and domestic rooms. Costuming remains passably fibrous. Color is strong, with defined greenery and pink bandages on the main character. Other bloodshed remains red. Skin tones are natural. Clothing and cars offer distinct primaries, while household and science lab visits retain bright whites and richer browns. Blacks are deep, preserving evening activity. Highlights are tasteful. Grain is nicely resolved. Source is in good condition, with a few very minor moments of damage.

Timecrimes 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The Spanish 5.1 DTS-HD MA mix is the default audio on the "Timecrimes" release, and provides sharp dialogue exchanges through the listening event. Dramatic emphasis and hushed encounters are preserved. Scoring supports with defined instrumentation and active dramatic support, and a soundtrack offering maintains steady vocals. Surrounds explore musical moods, creating more immersive suspense. Atmospherics are appreciable, exploring forest movement and weather events, also playing with science lab details. Sound effects are crisp. Low-end perks up with violent events.

Timecrimes 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Booklet offers essays by Katie Rife, Charles Bramesco, and Mary Beth McAndrews.

• Commentary #1 features writer/director/actor Nacho Vigalondo.

• Commentary #2 features podcaster Alexandra West.

• Commentary #3 features writer/director/actor Nacho Vigalondo.

• "Bigger Than Me" (18:26, HD) is an interview with writer/director/actor Nacho Vigalondo, who shows a little hesitancy with his English, apologizing for his limitations before the conversation begins, equating his relationship with the language with his moviemaking journey. In 2003, Vigalondo was nominated for a short film Academy Award, using the empowering moment to dive into a feature to challenge his "imposter syndrome," taking a major chance on himself. Preparing for "Timecrimes," the interviewee revisited the work of Alfred Hitchcock, trying to understand tone and camera movement for use in his own picture. Production challenges are analyzed, with Vigalondo toying with preparation, growing comfortable with making up shots in the moment, and various special effects are celebrated. An understanding of the picture's fragmented storytelling is also provided.

• "Rewind. Repeat. Revisit" (13:01, HD) is a video essay by Dr. Valeria Villegas Lindvall.

• "Chronological Version" (68:45, SD) is an "alternate linear cut" of "Timecrimes."

• "The Making of 'Timecrimes'" (5:52, SD) is a 2008 featurette.

• Archival Cast & Crew Interviews (10:20, SD) collect conversations with writer/director/actor Nacho Vigalondo, producer Eduardo Carneros, makeup effects artist Oscar Del Monte, and actors Karra Elejalde and Barbara Goenage.

• "'Timecrimes' Internet Game" (32:49, SD) provides footage from a 2008 promotion for the film.

• "7:35 De La Manana" (7:46, SD) is a 2003 short film from writer/director Nacho Vigalondo.

• A Spanish Trailer (:39, SD) and an English Trailer (1:36, HD) are included.

Timecrimes 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Timecrimes" does a fine job keeping viewers involved in the twisting of time, following Hector 2 as he tries to clean up a mess, only to learn there's much more to the situation than he initially realizes. Vigalondo keeps up tension for about an hour, generating appealing mystery over what exactly is going on. The feature doesn't maintain intensity as it enters its final act, running out of mischief as it tries to land a satisfying ending. However, there's a lot to like in "Timecrimes," including a strong performance from Elejalde, who really sells the confusion in play. And there's the overall oddity of the tale, putting Vigalondo to work braiding together realities and secrets, looking to deliver an eye-crossing tale of time travel while still maintaining a cinematic presence of screen suspense.