Jumper

If you want science fiction that respects its own premise, Jumper is available in Australia on Stan, and in the US on YouTube TV right now. The length is exactly right for the story it is telling — nothing rushed, nothing dragged out. 6,285 viewers have already rated it on TMDB — the kind of consensus that does not happen by accident. Hayden Christensen sets the tone, and the world-building does the rest. Put it on tonight on Stan and see for yourself.

Whatever else is competing for your attention this week, Jumper is worth clearing space for. The world-building is meticulous, but it is the characters who carry Jumper through its more ambitious moments. David Rice is a man who knows no boundaries, a Jumper, born with the uncanny ability to teleport instantly to anywhere on Earth. When he discovers others like himself, David is thrust into a dangerous and bloodthirsty war while being hunted by a sinister and determined group of zealots who have sworn to destroy all Jumpers. Now, David’s extraordinary gift may be his only hope for survival! Hayden Christensen and Jamie Bell lead a cast that never lets the concept overwhelm the characters. It was released in 2008. What separates Jumper from lesser genre entertainment is a willingness to let the concept cost the characters something. There is real craft here, even in the moments that do not fully land.

Jumper is satisfying on multiple levels — something to watch and something to think about after. It stands on its own even without an obvious comparison point. Short enough to finish in one sitting, substantial enough to feel satisfying. Watch for Hayden Christensen in particular — the performance elevates the material. Satisfying on multiple levels.