Netflix today releases “Our Times” (original title: “Nuestros Tiempos”), a Mexican science fiction drama that combines elements of romance, comedy, and temporal displacement. The film introduces Nora and Héctor, a married couple and college professors in 1966 Mexico City. Their lives change when they discover a wormhole, transporting them from their familiar era to the different landscape of 2025. This journey through time serves as a backdrop for an exploration of personal transformation, societal evolution, and the complexities of love. The film’s narrative uses its time-travel premise as a means to examine human emotions and societal questions, incorporating humor and character engagement. The premiere today, with characters arriving in a near-future that is our present, provides a contemporary relevance to the film’s story, inviting viewers to consider the changes its protagonists encounter.
A Leap Through Decades: The Central Conflict of ‘Our Times’
At the center of “Our Times” are Nora, portrayed by Lucero, and Héctor, played by Benny Ibarra, both scientists in 1966 Mexico City. Their intellectual curiosity leads them to a discovery: a method of traversing time via a wormhole. The film presents a theory that these temporal gateways form every 30 years due to specific planetary alignments, enabling travel through the use of tachyons—hypothetical particles capable of exceeding the speed of light. Their voyage lands them in the year 2025.
Once in this new era, the experiences of Nora and Héctor diverge. Nora finds herself validated; she is “taken aback by how successful women are in 2025, especially when compared to 1966, and feels like she has finally found her place”. The future, for her, is a realm that “premia su talento y empodera a las mujeres” (rewards her talent and empowers women). This sentiment is echoed in Nora’s own realization: “Son mejores tiempos que los 60 para ser mujer y científica” (These are better times than the 60s to be a woman and a scientist).
Conversely, Héctor is “lost in the new version of the world” and “struggles” to adapt to the societal norms and technological advancements of 2025. This difference in their assimilation to the future creates tension. Nora is consequently “torn between her love for Héctor and this empowering new world”, forcing a re-examination of their bond and the “cost of their endeavor”. The narrative shows how their relationship, shaped by 1960s societal expectations, is tested when those expectations become outdated. Nora’s success in an environment that recognizes her worth as a woman and a scientist suggests a previous limitation, and Héctor’s unease may stem from this shift in their dynamic. Time travel becomes less about the mechanics of the journey and more about its capacity to affect a long-standing relationship. While their initial ambitions were rooted in scientific discovery—”Nora eres un genio esto va a cambiar la historia de la ciencia…” (Nora, you’re a genius, this will change the history of science…)—the film appears to focus on the personal and societal repercussions that arise when intellectual pursuits intersect with social evolution.
The Guiding Vision: Director Chava Cartas on Evolving Times
Helming “Our Times” is director Chava Cartas. Cartas has expressed that while his films often “siempre tienen un discurso… que puede ser super profundo… de mucha polémica” (always have a discourse… that can be very profound… very controversial), he endeavors to “aterrizarlo una realidad a una cosa mucho más honesta” (ground it in reality, something much more honest). For “Our Times,” his stated intention was to explore the interplay between past and present, particularly concerning the evolution of societal norms such as machismo, acknowledging that older generations were “educaron de otra manera” (educated differently).
A goal for Cartas is to cultivate “un diálogo entre todas estas generaciones que se entiendan” (a dialogue between all these generations so they understand each other), underscoring the idea that “nadie está mal y nadie está bien o es una evolución natural de la sociedad” (no one is wrong and no one is right, rather it is a natural evolution of society). He aimed to address the feminist theme and the shifts in women’s societal roles since the 1960s with subtlety, “tan sutil para no caer en un panfleto del feminismo ni del machismo” (so subtle as not to fall into a feminist or macho pamphlet). The message Cartas aims to convey is one of embracing societal development: “hay que seguir evolucionando… lo que sí está bien es la evolución… y el proceso de cambio” (we must continue to evolve… what is indeed good is evolution… and the process of change). This directorial approach of addressing sensitive subjects embeds the film’s social commentary within the experiences and relational dynamics of its characters. Such a method allows for an engaging experience, prompting viewers to consider these issues. The film, through Cartas’s lens, is positioned not as a judgment of past eras but as an exploration of change itself, using the time-travel premise as a metaphor for generational shifts and evolving perspectives.
Faces of Past and Future: Introducing the Cast of “Our Times”
The film features performances from its lead actors. Lucero, an actress and singer, plays Nora. She portrays the 1960s scientist who finds a sense of belonging and empowerment in the 21st century. Director Chava Cartas describes Lucero as a “gran actriz” (great actress) and “muy versátil en su manera de pensar” (very versatile in her way of thinking), qualities he found instrumental in bringing Nora’s journey to life. Lucero has noted that the film encourages contemplation about the ideal era in which to live and the challenge of balancing personal and professional aspirations.
Starring opposite her is Benny Ibarra, an actor and musician, who plays Héctor. Ibarra portrays the character’s disorientation and struggle as he grapples with the societal shifts of 2025. “Our Times” marks the first cinematic collaboration between Lucero and Benny Ibarra. The casting of these two figures brings a layer of relatability to characters undergoing personal upheavals.
The supporting cast includes:
- Ofelia Medina as Julia, a character Nora encounters in 2025. It is Julia who states, “Son mejores tiempos que los 60 para ser mujer y científica”. Medina is an actress with an extensive filmography. Julia’s role appears to be significant, serving as a voice from the future that validates Nora’s experiences.
- Renata Vaca as Alondra.
- Claudia Lobo as Rebeca.
The ensemble also includes Lore Graniewicz as Blanca, Alejandro Ávila as Moncada, Ana Ortizharo as Rebequita, Enrique Singer as Carrasco, Berenice Jonguitud as Danae, Hugo Albores as Quijano, Carolina Villamil as Julia de joven, Guadalupe Damián as Sandra, and Marco Aurelio Nava as Cossío.
From 1966 to 2025: Crafting Two Worlds in Mexico City
“Our Times” was filmed in Mexico, with Mexico City serving as the primary backdrop for its narrative. Principal photography reportedly occurred between April and May of 2024, with an aim to create distinct visual identities for 1966 and 2025. This attention to visual detail is relevant, as production design, costuming, and cinematography are instrumental in conveying the passage of time and the thematic disparities between the two periods.
A significant filming location was The School of Architecture at the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM). This institution doubles as the college where Nora and Héctor teach in 1966, offering a visual setting that blends “urban and Mexican elements that help showcase the culture”. The choice of Mexico City as the singular setting for both time periods allows the film to use the city’s landscape as a canvas, underscoring themes of societal transformation and cultural continuity. Director Chava Cartas shared his experiences with the film’s crew on social media, noting a collaborative spirit on set.
Beyond the Wormhole: Unpacking the Themes of ‘Our Times’
“Our Times” touches on several themes. A prominent one is female empowerment and evolving gender roles. Nora’s journey from 1966 to 2025 illustrates advancements for women, particularly in professional spheres. Julia’s assertion that these are “mejores tiempos que los 60 para ser mujer y científica” articulates this progression.
The film also explores the challenge of adapting to societal evolution. While Nora embraces the future, Héctor’s struggle illuminates the difficulties individuals can face with rapid change, especially when it disrupts ingrained norms—a point aligning with director Chava Cartas’s intent to address machismo. Setting the “future” in 2025 allows the film to mirror contemporary discussions about gender equality and traditional roles.
Furthermore, “Our Times” addresses intergenerational dialogue and understanding. Director Cartas has emphasized the film’s aim to foster empathy between generations with different societal contexts. The narrative embodies the idea that “nadie está mal y nadie está bien o es una evolución natural de la sociedad”.
At its core, the film examines love and relationships in flux. The divergent experiences of Nora and Héctor in 2025 strain their bond, forcing them to confront how societal shifts impact personal desires and their partnership. Nora’s situation—being “torn between love and a world that empowers women”—presents a narrative where personal growth might necessitate a re-evaluation of existing relationships.
The film also prompts reflection on the nature of progress and its “cost.” It questions what constitutes advancement and acknowledges that societal changes can bring personal challenges—the “cost of their endeavor”. Lucero has mentioned that the film makes one ponder “cuándo habrá sido mejor vivir” (when would have been better to live). Finally, the narrative considers scientific ambition versus personal consequence, as Nora and Héctor’s intellectual pursuit leads to transformations in their lives and relationship.
A Story for Our Times?: Provoking Thought and Dialogue
“Our Times” aims to provoke reflection on how societal changes affect individual lives and relationships. The film invites viewers to consider their stances on progress, tradition, and navigating a changing world. While using a science fiction premise, the narrative poses questions about identity, partnership, and finding one’s place across different “times.” Director Chava Cartas hopes audiences will engage in “un diálogo” (a dialogue) and appreciate evolution as a continuous process.
While Nora finds 2025 more conducive for her as a woman and a scientist, the film does not offer a simplistic portrayal of the future. Héctor’s struggles and Nora’s internal conflict suggest a nuanced perspective, indicating that progress, while important, is multifaceted and can create new dilemmas. The story demonstrates how large-scale societal shifts have personal ramifications, reshaping identities and relationships.
Availability Note
“Our Times” (“Nuestros Tiempos”) is now streaming globally on Netflix. The film was released on June 11, 2025.
