"“Safety may not be guaranteed, but it's fair to say your enjoyment certainly is...”"

Science fiction does not always have to be set in outer space, involving aliens, invasions and big, massive guns. No, sci-fi is taking somewhat of a new, more subtle turn in contemporary cinema, as alongside the upcoming Robot & Frank, we are presented with yet another exploration of the genre, yet looking predominantly at friendship, romance and human empathy; as there is no denying that Colin Trevorrow's Sundance Film Festival hit Safety Not Guaranteed is without doubt the year's finest sci-fi/rom-com.

The first-time filmmaker presents the story of young, aspiring investigative journalist Darius (Aubrey Plaza) who is sent out for her first real assignment at the magazine in which she is working as an intern, to follow and study a man named Kenneth (Mark Duplass) who has recently put out a classified advert to find a companion to join him on a potentially dangerous time travel quest.

Setting out alongside colleagues Jeff (Jake Johnson) and Arnau (Karan Soni), the trio each have their own ideas about what their trip may hold – yet the only one who appears to be taking the task remotely seriously is Darius. However, as she forms a close connection to Kenneth – posing as a responder to the ad – she soon realises there is more to this man than meets the eye, as he had been someone who was written off as a mere psychopath originally. However, as the pair grow closer, and his plans to travel back in time materialise, Darius starts to wonder what she has let herself in for...

Safety Not Guaranteed is a charming, whimsical piece that balances both the science fiction and romantic comedy genres to perfection, which is certainly not the easiest of tasks for a filmmaker to achieve. Trevorrrow cleverly tricks us by lulling us into a false sense of security, as around three quarters of the way through you can't help but question the picture, assuming it to be just another conventional rom-com, before he turns the entire film upside down, hitting us over the head with the grand finale.

Trevorrow keeps the actual time machine a big secret throughout, covering the film with an ambiguity that keeps you guessing, and puts you in Darius' shoes, as the young reporter is as oblivious to the actual time travelling as we are. We don't know or see what Kenneth claims to have designed and built, and although completely surreal and fantastical an idea, there is an element of magic that lingers over this production, that just makes you think that maybe, just perhaps Kenneth is actually on to something, and to deem it even possible amidst otherwise naturalistic surroundings is a credit to the filmmakers.

Conversely, they also shower you with hints that the lonely, heavily damaged man is actually suffering with a few mental issues, and doesn't have a clue what he's doing. Combine that with the conviction in his plans, and, like Darius, we live for the conclusion and to find out exactly what it is that Kenneth is plotting. Meanwhile, Duplass completely steals the show as Kenneth, bringing depth to an already complex figure. Oh, and there's a cameo appearance for Jeff Garlin, and I love Jeff Garlin.

Although self-aware and taking somewhat of a contrived, quirky approach – such vexations are disregarded thanks to a unique, intriguing narrative that keeps you engrossed throughout. Safety may not be guaranteed, but it's fair to say your enjoyment certainly is.