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Retroactive

Play trailer Poster for Retroactive R 1997 1h 27m Mystery & Thriller Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
57% Tomatometer 7 Reviews 50% Popcornmeter 1,000+ Ratings
Stranded on the road, psychiatrist Karen (Kylie Travis) is offered a ride by Frank (James Belushi), a disturbingly jealous man traveling across Texas with his wife, Rayanne (Shannon Whirry). At a gas station, Frank learns from a crony that Rayanne is cheating on him, so he kills her. Karen escapes to a research facility run by scientist Brian (Frank Whaley) and uses his time-travel technology to try to stop the murder -- but only manages to increase the carnage with every trip back.

Critics Reviews

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Geoff Andrew Time Out Feb 9, 2006
With its explosive action, black comedy and far-fetched sci-fi imposed on an otherwise vaguely plausible crime thriller, this modest indie film is reminiscent of such low budget '80s exploiters as Tremors and the work of Charles Band. Go to Full Review
Chuck O'Leary FulvueDrive-in.com Mar 2, 2006
7/10
A high-energy road thriller with a time-travel twist. A fast, fun 90 minutes. Go to Full Review
Caffeinated Clint Moviehole Sep 17, 2002
1/5
Belushi's career just got flushed down the toilet Go to Full Review
Scott Weinberg eFilmCritic.com Jul 26, 2002
1/5
Diane Selkirk Apollo Guide Jan 1, 2000
52/100
If a repulsive main character and lots of bloodshed appeal to you, Retroactive might be your movie. But that's about all it has going for it. Go to Full Review
Christopher Null Filmcritic.com Jan 1, 2000
3/5
There's nary a talented bone up there. But surprise, this isn't such a bad movie. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Robert P @Superbad Sep 16, 2026 Retroactive = a 2.5 star Movie! See more
Andy B @AndyB21 Sep 6, 2025 Visually a little dated, but otherwise a great time loop thriller. See more
Mar 2, 2014 This time-travel roadmovie needs a while to get interesting, but every jump back just makes a bigger mess. Belushi really has a good time playing the badguy! See more
Jan 5, 2014 Nice premise, but over the top See more
Jun 16, 2013 "Groundhog's Day" meets "The Hitcher." Kylie Travis makes the unfortunate mistake of hitching a ride with mutton-chopped killer Jim Belushi and his wife. Travis ends up witnessing Belushi killing a cop, his wife and assorted others. Belushi then chases her into a secret government facility where she is accidentally sent back in time, finding herself back in Belushi's car. The story then has Travis trying to play out the scenario differently several different ways. I always find these types of stories interesting, seeing how characters might try to rewrite their own history, but these stories can easily become tedious and annoying. This film manages to stay interesting, with the characters making smart choices and also does it with some decent action sequences. Although the film is strictly Roger Corman/Charles Band quality, taken on that level, it's a pretty entertaining film. And it never hurts to cast M. Emmet Walsh in your film. See more
Jun 15, 2013 Great time manipulation experience--Great concept, fun thriller!! See more
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Retroactive

My Rating

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Cast & Crew

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Louis Morneau

Director

Jim Belushi

Frank

Kylie Travis

Karen

Shannon Whirry

Rayanne

Frank Whaley

Brian

M. Emmet Walsh

Sam

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Retroactive

Retroactive (1997) Retroactive (1997) Retroactive (1997) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Stranded on the road, psychiatrist Karen (Kylie Travis) is offered a ride by Frank (James Belushi), a disturbingly jealous man traveling across Texas with his wife, Rayanne (Shannon Whirry). At a gas station, Frank learns from a crony that Rayanne is cheating on him, so he kills her. Karen escapes to a research facility run by scientist Brian (Frank Whaley) and uses his time-travel technology to try to stop the murder -- but only manages to increase the carnage with every trip back.
Director
Louis Morneau
Producer
Brad Krevoy, Steven Stabler, David Bixler, Michael Nadeau
Rating
R
Genre
Mystery & Thriller
Original Language
English
Release Date (DVD)
Mar 6, 2007
Runtime
1h 27m
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