'the X-Files' Creator Is Officially Releasing An Ambitious New Time-Travel Movie
The creator of The X-Files, Chris Carter, is returning to the sci-fi genre with a new time-travel comedy film titled Queens for a Day. Scripted by his wife, Dori Carter, the project strays from conventional Hollywood distribution by launching through a series of special screenings accompanied by director Q&A sessions. The satirical narrative explores themes of nostalgia through a mid-century period setting.
Chris Carter, the mind behind the long-running television franchise The X-Files, has directed a new feature-length time-travel project titled Queens for a Day. The film represents a fresh foray into temporal narrative concepts for the director, who previously touched on similar themes in various standalone television episodes throughout his career. Written by screenwriting veteran Dori Carter, the cinematic comedy blends science fiction setups with satirical social commentary.
The official premise of the movie centers on a contentious, sharp-tongued modern television talk show host. Following an unexpected accident, the protagonist is thrust back into the 1950s and finds herself inside the body of her own mother. Trapped in a claustrophobic mid-century domestic environment, she is forced to parent her childhood self—a young girl for whom she possesses little affection. Official descriptions highlight the narrative as a sharp critique of uncritical nostalgia and a cautionary tale regarding unforeseen consequences.
Actress Erin Boyes takes on the lead role in the production. Boyes has previously appeared in feature films such as Longlegs and The Social Reckoning, alongside television projects including the Lifetime movie Death in the Cul-De-Sac and Sawtooth Mountain. Joining the production team as a producer is Grace Gilroy, whose prior credentials include working on The X-Files, Alien vs. Predator, Bride of Chucky, and the television series Grease: The Rise of the Pink Ladies.
Rather than following a traditional distribution path through widespread theatrical runs or immediate digital streaming platforms, Queens for a Day is adopting an unconventional, localized rollout strategy. The film makes its debut at the Laemmle Royal venue located in Los Angeles. Initial showtimes are scheduled across select dates in October, with each presentation set to feature a live question-and-answer session hosted by director Chris Carter.
Organizers plan to expand the exhibition footprint to additional locations following the initial Los Angeles screenings using a similar special-event format. Updates and schedule announcements regarding future regional venue bookings are being made available through the film's dedicated Instagram social media account. This selective rollout mirrors the understated approach taken toward the movie's public announcement and release strategy.
The release marks a return to time-bending storytelling for Carter, whose iconic series previously explored time anomalies in episodes like Triangle, Synchrony, Monday, and Redrum. While those television efforts approached temporal displacement through various lenses ranging from time loops to historical mysteries, Queens for a Day leverages its premise primarily for satirical comedic effect.
Source: Polygon — original reporting
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