Justin Timberlake’s critically panned sci-fi In Time has become a hit on streaming 14 years after it was released. While Timberlake first achieved success as a boy band star in the pop group NSYNC, this best-selling singer has also carved out a second career as an acclaimed actor in movies like The Social Network and Inside Llewyn Davis.

Despite grossing $174 million at the box office, In Time was criticized for not delivering on its clever premise of a society where time literally was money. However, audiences are now rediscovering this film and giving it a new lease of life as they tune in to watch Timberlake alongside stars such as Cillian Murphy and Olivia Wilde.

In Time Has Entered HBO’s Top Ten

This 2011 Sci-Fi Has Found Renewed Success On Streaming

Coming from Gattaca writer and director Andrew Niccol, In Time was set in a world where one’s lifespan acted as currency, and each member of society was equipped with a clock counting down to the moment they would die. With nobody aging past 25 years old, genetically engineered citizens bought and sold time as if it were money.

With a uniquely engaging premise, it’s not surprising that In Time stands alongside recent releases like Sinners and A Minecraft Movie as a top film on HBO. Although there’s a lot of star power involved with In Time, the film wasn’t a hit with critics who felt it squandered its intriguing potential by leaning too heavily into action movie tropes.

Why You Should Watch In Time

There’s A Lot To Love About This Clever Sci-Fi

Looking back on In Time today, it’s striking just how much more successful its cast has become in the years since. With co-star Cillian Murphy as the most recent Best Actor Oscar winner, Amanda Seyfried as an influential star, and Olivia Wilde becoming a filmmaker in her own right, there are many notable names among In Time’s cast.

There’s an argument that In Time didn’t fully live up to its potential, and it would have been nice to see its world more thoroughly explored, yet it remains a thoroughly clever sci-fi story that deserves more viewership. As a prime showcase of Timberlake’s movie star potential, In Time signaled his versatility as an actor.

As a thought-provoking dystopia that taps into modern society’s obsession with youth, In Time has only become more relevant as the years have gone on. With a blend of sci-fi, social commentary, and a healthy dose of fast-paced action, anyone who hasn’t seen it should do themselves a favor and check out In Time.