In the whimsical, time-bending romantic comedy Fireflies in the Dusk, director and writer Jonathon Hammond delivers a delightfully quirky and thought-provoking narrative that crosses time and space. This enchanting short film, which premiered at the Cleveland International Film Festival, showcases a romance that is as much about love as it is about challenging historical perceptions.

The story follows Charlotte (Emily Goss), a late-Victorian maiden whose life is upended when she tumbles through a wormhole into the modern world. There, she meets Zachary (Nick Ballard), the charming office worker and the man she’s fallen in love with through their long-distance (and cross-century) letter exchanges. Hammond plays with this wondrously wacky concept, unfolding a story that captures the stark contrast between Zachary’s 21st-century sensibilities and Charlotte’s prim and proper upbringing. The film has a blast exploring this clash of centuries, providing both humour and moments of introspection along the way.

Jonathon Hammond and Ryan Roach’s script is delightfully witty – sharp and clever, yet zany and daft. Sharing some DNA with the smash success of Netflix’s Bridgerton series, which infuses Regency England with a modern spin, this short film ups the ante, providing a more absurd, unpredictable and fun ride in its less than 20-minute runtime. The chemistry between Goss and Ballard is perfectly mismatched, with performances from supporting roles being just as engaging. Hale Appelman and Drew Droege in particular add exceptional comedic timing, flair and personality to their roles. The film’s music (Nick Byron Campbell) also deserves special mention. The soaring, swelling orchestral score perfectly matches the film’s melodramatic tone, elevating the over-the-top romantic comedy moments to near operatic proportions.

Whilst being a stand-out for humour, the darker undertones add a deeper, satirical social commentary, with Hammond using the film’s time-travel conceit to question what we choose to remember – and forget – about history. Avoiding the often formulaic approach to time-travel tales, Fireflies in the Dusk is a vibrant, unpredictable romp that makes you laugh whilst subtly encouraging you to reflect on how history is shaped by both memory and omission.

Rachel Sinclair