The Next One (1984) User Reviews

Strange, Amateurish Yet Entrancing Story Of Christ-Like Time-Travelling Refugee

[ShootingShark · 6/10 · 1 June 2008]

Widowed Andrea and her young son live on a remote Greek Island. One day, walking on the beach, they come across a strange man washed up, who cannot remember anything. Who is he, where did he come from, and why is he here ?

This is an odd movie, a quirky Christ allegory with some time travelling thrown in. I guess it's not very good - it looks cheap, it lacks passion, it has too many travelogue shots to pad its running time and it doesn't really make any sense. Despite all that, I really like it, for several reasons. It was shot in the south-eastern Greek island of Mykonos in the Aegean Sea, and the location is original and incredibly beautiful. The cast give strange stilted but hypnotic performances; Dullea is brilliantly iconic, the perfect actor to play a messianic failure, Barbeau is achingly melancholy, Licht (the scary kid from Joe Dante's segment of Twilight Zone: The Movie) is goofy fun and Hobbs is great as the drunken idealistic doctor. Hobbs has impressive cult-movie credentials; check him out in The Andromeda Strain, Sleeper, Wizards, John Carpenter's Elvis TV-movie and The Man With Two Brains. Mastorakis may be a bit of a hack, but the movie keeps coming up with offbeat and interesting ideas and shots, like the moment when Dullea walks into a library and hears the books talking to him in his head. There's also a nice mellow score by the underrated Stanley Myers (Nicolas Roeg's composer of choice). Mastorakis is an unusual, marginal filmmaker, but he made some curios, notably the techno-mystery Blind Date and survival thriller The Zero Boys. I guess I'm maybe overrating this movie a little but it's something different and that always counts for a lot in my book. In her enjoyable autobiography, There Are Worse Things I Could Do, Barbeau doesn't even mention it despite making it at the height of her fame, so I guess she slept through it, but it's really rather good. The Greek title is O Taxidiotis Tou Hronou / The Traveller In Time.

Time enough for love

[Bernie4444 · 6/10 · 15 April 2024]

The Time Traveler (1984) AKA The Next one (1984)

An American widow (Adrienne Barbeau) moves to a Greek island with her son and their dog. She makes a simple life away from technology. One day while traversing a deserted stretch of beach they come upon a naked man (Keir Dullea.) He washed ashore. On his back is an imprinted magnetic number. They befriend the stranger give him clothes, drugs, money, and sex. In return, they find out where he is from and that he just missed seeing his brother by two days or two millennia.

Can he ever go back?

If so will he ever return?

What would you do?

The story is more a study of human nature than it is sci-fi or time travel.

You may recognize Keir Dullea from "2001: A Space Odyssey" (1968).

Of course, we all recognize Adrienne Barbeau as Dr. Kurtz in "Cannibal Women in the Avocado Jungle of Death" (1988). "We eat our men"

Disappointing

[garyldibert · 4/10 · 5 July 2008]

This movie was released in 1984 starring Keir Dullea as Glenn, Adrienne Barbeau as Andrea and Peter Hobbs as Barnaby. In this standard sci-fi romance, the widow Andrea lives on a Greek island with her son Timmy and, like the other islanders, is amazed when a stranger Keir Dullea washes up on shore during a magnetic storm. She brings the apparently injured man home to help him recuperate his health, and a relationship develops between the two of them. At first seeming to suffer from amnesia, the stranger has a mysterious quality that comes more into focus when he performs certain miracles. As he demonstrates his powers, it is slowly revealed that he is a time-traveler, and his brother, in fact, once traveled back 2,000 years further in time. Again, another Adrienne Barbeau picture that was disappointing. Outside of the scenery from the Greek Islands there wasn't much else exciting in this movie that's why I'm giving this picture just 4 weasel stars.

Not the original film

[Kahuna154 · 1/10 · 27 February 2006]

This movie HAD to have been a remake of the original film. When I saw the remake I was nauseated and upset because the later ending was completely changed.

I would like to hear from others who remembered the original ending. Here's where the spoiler comes in........the original ending

Kerr's memory gradually starts coming back, all the while Adrieanne and Kerr gradually fall in love. He reveals that he is from the future and that he and his brother had built separate time machines and agreed to meet in the past. However, Kerr's machine developed a problem and he wound up on a beach in Greece in the 1980's.

They wanted to get married and sailed to a main Greek island to make plans for the wedding at the Greek Catholic Orthidox Church. After entering the church, Kerr stops at the alter, looks up, drops his jaw in wonderment then says, "That's my Brother".....looking up Jesus on the cross!

I WAS SHOCKED......the first thing I thought, "What IF?" Then I also thought, "No way is this gonna fly with the Catholic Church"

Please tell me if someone out there remembers this......my wife does!

Farfetched fantasy

[lor_ · 13 February 2023]

My review was written in September 1984 after watching the film on Showtime.

Nico Mastorakis' "The Next One" is a competently made but thoroughly unconvincing sci-fi romance. Filmed on Mykonos Island in Greece in the spring of 1981, pic was obviously aimed at theatrical release (replete with Dolby stereo) but failed to attract a U. S. distrib, debuting instead via pay-cable telecast.

The problem here is in the absurd premise and its illogical development, A well-cast Keir Dullea is washed ashore on a Greek island, nursed back to health by Adrienne Barbeau, a widowed mother with young son Jeremy Licht. He seems to be suffering amnesia, but numerous insistent hints and visits to local churches payoff predictably in Dullea being a time traveller from the future, whose cloned brother went back 2,000 years further to be taken as Jesus Christ (forget the lack of logic in that these travelers are full-grown, not children).

Basic story unfolds in the manner of "The Outer Limits" tv series of 20 years ago: balancing the fantasy gimmick and liberal thematic message with a romantic subplot, namely that of Barbeau's (unfortunately for voyeurs and her fans) G-rated level sexual encounter with the mysterious stranger Dullea. Lack of drama is a problem, until the arbitrary Greek locale comes into play when primitive islanders get mad at Dullea following his miraculous healing incident and then a fatal drowning accident killing off several children.

Storyline builds to Dullea's inevitable leavetaking, i.e., self-destruction, but not content with the"There will be a next" tagline, Mastolrakis tacks on an absurd happy ending with another Dullea clone arriving on the same Greek beach in the same time period.

Touristy mykonos Island visuals are okay, as is the English-language direct-sound dialog. Presence of only token special visual effects is a real handicap for the film's acceptance by sci-fi fans.

A so-so cure for insomnia...

[Little-Mikey · 4/10 · 31 December 2009]

I rated this one a little high because of the nice scenery. At least this movie wasn't filmed on a set with painted backgrounds.

I've always enjoyed films involving time travel. Some time travel flicks are exciting. A few, like BACK TO THE FUTURE (all three) border on being comical. So eventually, somebody had to make a time travel flick that is boring, and here it is, THE NEXT ONE.

This movie has a list of cinematic giants. But in this movie, the giants take a fall.

There are a few special effects, like the electrical storm.

But this movie, at its high points, drags. Then, it's downhill.

This movie sits in my collection, waiting to be used as a door stop. A real disappointment.

worthy of viewing

[KlaatuGort · 6/10 · 31 March 2006]

It's funny how perceptions differ or the mind and memory distorts. I too saw this film once-only and way-back. I can't remember Keir Dullea or Adrienne Barbeau (though I know her - Adrienne BareBreasts, a forerunner of Basinger...)

I can remember the beautiful, barren, isolated, almost-sterile Greek-island locations and the haunting atmosphere of would-be escapism - from the rat-race reality of techno life

There was a 70s British TV drama series (The Lotus Eaters) with the same precepts

I don't recall the 'one' being on a rescue mission, but actually an escape

In a small way, this film preludes Terminator and predicts current quantum theorising. That can't be bad

As stated, this reviewer perceives and recalls differently to the previous comments - in a way, this in itself actually reflects the ethos of the character interaction

Either that or I'm from a different planet....I'll have to get hold of the DVD to be sure!

An original plot, provoked some interesting ideas

[john-willis-1 · 8/10 · 11 February 2006]

I saw this movie on cable back in College. In my opinion it was way ahead of its time. The movie was mostly that of a stranger in a strange land with amnesia, who comes to understand who he really is. And that he is on a rescue mission. The SciFi themes don't really emerge until very late in the film so its a very nice character study, and the actors and actresses play their parts very well. Keir Dullea did a fine job with his part and when he reveals he has recovered his memory and what he does with that knowledge leads to some very memorable moments.

Don't see this movie expecting your typical SciFI special effects extravaganza, do see it if you want to watch a serious people movie with some interesting thoughts about where humanity may eventually wind up.

In my opinion the recent Television series John Doe was a copy cat of this movie.. to a degree.. but perhaps with a little more X-Files violence and religious overtones, than this movie.

It's not a heart pounder.. just a mild adventure that leaves you a bit sad.. but hopeful in the end.. and just wondering.

It is a good movie in my opinion.. afterall I've remembered it quite well for over 20 years.

Perhaps Nico Mastorakis' most ambitious and accomplished effort

[gridoon2024 · 6/10 · 19 February 2015]

Not that I've seen anywhere near all of his films, but "The Time Traveller" does beat "Blind Date" or "Hired To Kill", and I'll venture a guess and say that it beats "Ninja Academy" or "The Naked Truth" as well. Either by artistic choice or by budgetary constraints (probably a mixture of both), Mastorakis makes a very low-key, leisurely-paced, uneventful, elliptical sci-fi film, with the use of special effects limited to one or two scenes. It's the ideas that even define this as a sci-fi film, and Mastorakis has some outrageous ideas indeed! The more religious viewers will probably be offended, but others may even admire Mastorakis' audacity here. And as a bonus, we get some splendid, and rare, views of Mykonos in the winter. Finally, after recently having started watching "Doctor Who", I had to laugh at the line "NOBODY has two hearts"! **1/2 out of 4.

actually ....

[mysticalunique · 8/10 · 13 May 2020]

I do not agree that it was a total fiasco, but it could have been better plotted, the actors were not that bad, not a fan of many actors, (since not many know how to really act).... this movie I think was to futuristic for the 80s would be better suited for maybe today with better special effects ... the hint that his brother was a visitor 2000 years early a lot of people related to the Christ but everyone tent to forget that the Christ was actually born not found after an electrical storm.... I think my mother an I liked it for the compassion and the good nature of the man, after all he was not arrogant or mean to a society so far behind from his, plus the scenery!!

A rare film that will enlighten you by surprise

[mykelhawke · 10/10 · 9 January 2018]

I don't want to do any spoliers- some folks who've reviewed here have come close to doing so, but not to any harm to the new viewer's experience, imho.

I will say for sure, this movie was decades ahead of it's time in both concept and story. The acting is well done for the standard of the day.

It could be viewed as sci-fi, it could be viewed as religious. Either way, it brings an enlightening idea that will offend many, confuse some, but will appeal to others- seeking to understand our world, lives, universe and existence.

Check it out if you ever get a chance to watch. Peace

Enjoyable movie

[supergye · 8/10 · 24 January 2022]

I am a hugh fan of time travel. Anytime I can find something decent to keep me in my seat, I will give it a fair shake. Maybe I am a bit impartial in that way for this genre. Keep an open mind and try not to be hypercritical. So, the rest of my review is spoilers because frankly within that discussion is what I enjoyed most about this movie...

Glenn is found near the shore by a young lady Andrea and her son Tim after an electrical storm. Passed out with a tattoo on his arm "01313-1". This likely stands for 12/25 or the birth of Christ. The first 13 minus the one at the end of tattoo is 12, next the sum of 13's or 2x13 minus one gives you 25, or 12/25.

The story assumes that Christ was actually a time traveler, an earthling from another future time period and dimension. Sent back to perhaps help guide mankind. One that got thru a barrier of sorts. In his time beings have 2 hearts, a special power to heal , and a gift to perceive other time events. These might be a necessary refinements to future genetics to survive longer and stay out of danger. Glenn goes back to find his brother Christ but misses the timeline by 2k years. So he ends up circa 1980's Greece. In Glenn's future people are identical to each other. No reason is given but my guess has to do with, "why break with perfection". At least in the eyes of the race.

Is it too hard to believe this being is possible, and suspend disbelief? One who is super religious may be offended. For me it was fun entertainment. I enjoyed Glenn's last heart to heart talk with the little boy Tim. Explaining, although he wishes his brother would have been able to do more, but that he realizes the progress of the human race is based on imperfection. To change that, then the history would have to change to, and the evolution that made us what we are would have never existed.

This coincides actually very well with Christs teachings. He gave guidance, but never intended to start a religion. Keir Dullea portrays Glenn's mysteriousness and intelligence in an understated way. This gives the movie the necessary momentum to drive the other elements, which at times may be less action packed. The director shows us natures beauty on the Greek island, and I believe was aimed at the exploring the wonder of these moments given the location it was filmed on.

SPOILER!

[Gary-161 · 9 December 2000]

You've had the AntiChrist in films, now it's raining Christs in this ridiculous picture. Like the AntiChrist, this Christ arrives with a helpful number for identification to avoid confusion with any other Christ working as a barman somewhere. Perhaps 'The Next One 2001' will come with a useful barcode or Dot.com address. Since his last visit resulted in crucifixion, Christ decides to play it safe and call himself 'Glenn' and behaves enigmatically. Single mom Andrea finds him washed up on her beach and takes him home presumably because she may find him useful at parties. Turning water into wine and feeding thousands from one loaf definitely saves on grocery bills, but she's not to know that as 'Glenn' is giving nothing away. He leaves speaking in tongues to his disciples who seem in short supply this time around. What is his mysterious mission and will Andrea's son be able to relate to this icon now he's a surfer dude? Does he prefer a heavier or lighter board? At the end of the film another Christ washes up on the beach leaving us with the uncomfortable impression that the son of the almighty might be more of a hazard than driving on Greek roads. A short sighted elderly person might trip over whatever this one's called. Probably Glenda.