ARQ (Tony Elliott, 2016)

Time loop stories are a sci-fi staple, easy to do with just a bit of attention paid to continuity, with even a basic plot powering itself once revved up. They are, in other words, a bit of a cheat: you can assemble something that will hold the audience's attention just because everyone likes playing I-spy with minor divergences. To make one exceptional, however, you need to put serious amounts of hours in at the corkboard with pins and string to map out the timelines. ARQ doesn't pay much heed to that requirement, slapping on whatever deviation from the rules that suits it by virtue of having an arcane machine (the titular generator of limitless power in the lead character's basement, in the midst of a war-torn near future with a global energy crisis) serve as a MacGuffin to steamroller over anything that demands a logical explanation as a home invasion by men after money replays again and again. It's diverting enough, but makes sure to steer well clear that might possibly confuse the average Joe.

5/10