Imagine sneezing your way into the future – literally. That’s the quirky premise behind Escape from the 21st Century, a genre-blending sci-fi time-travel martial-arts action comedy film directed by Yang Li.

Set in 1999 on an Earth-like planet, the film follows three high school friends who, after a dip in a toxic lake, discover they can catapult 20 years ahead with a sneeze. Zhang Ruoyun stars as Wang Zha, the group’s clumsy narrator; Song Yang plays the charismatic leader Chengyong; and Li Chenhao plays Paopao, the bullied underdog who finds unexpected confidence in the future. The cast also includes Zhong Chuxi as the fierce journalist Liu Lianzhi and Wu Xiaoliang as the enigmatic Han Guang.

After its world premiere in China, the film made its international debut at the Toronto International Film Festival‘s Midnight Madness section, then went on to screen at Sitges, Fantastic Fest, and Leeds, among others. It opens in select theaters in the US on June 9th, 2025.

According to the official synopsis, “The story follows three friends who discover they have the power to travel back and forth 20 years with a sneeze. However, the future is not as good as they hoped, and they need to take on the responsibility of saving the world.”

Critics have praised the film for its originality and energy, with Neon Splatter writing, “The biggest insight gained from the film is that writer/director Li Yang has crafted a frenetic love letter to youthful exuberance and friendship that explodes off the screen in wonderfully inventive and bizarrely clever ways that will pump up any audience.”

Watch the official trailer for Escape from the 21st Century.