“The Time Machine” is a 2002 science fiction film directed by Simon Wells, based on the classic 1895 novel of the same name by H.G. Wells. The film stars Guy Pearce as Dr. Alexander Hartdegen, an inventor and scientist living in 1899 New York City, who becomes obsessed with the concept of time travel after a personal tragedy.

Driven by the desire to change the past, Alexander constructs a time machine and embarks on a journey through time. Initially attempting to alter the events that led to his fiancée’s death, he soon realizes that changing the past is impossible. Frustrated and heartbroken, he travels far into the future, arriving in the year 802,701. There, he discovers a world divided between the peaceful Eloi, a simple and gentle people, and the monstrous Morlocks, who live underground and prey on the Eloi.

As Alexander befriends an Eloi woman named Mara (played by Samantha Mumba) and learns more about this distant future, he becomes determined to help the Eloi defend themselves against the Morlocks. His journey through time leads to profound revelations about humanity, fate, and the unchangeable nature of certain events.

“The Time Machine” combines elements of adventure, romance, and philosophical inquiry, featuring impressive visual effects and action sequences. It explores themes of loss, redemption, and the impact of technological advancement on society. The film, while taking creative liberties with the original novel, aims to capture the essence of H.G. Wells’ timeless story about the possibilities and perils of time travel.