Past Perfect
"Is the future worth dying for?"
Set against a rain slick Seattle, Past Perfect follows a veteran detective who tries to shut down a kid run arms ring before more violence erupts. His pursuit tightens when he finally corners a teenage dealer, but the law won't let him indict the youth as an adult. Meanwhile a ruthless killer... Read more
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About Past Perfect
Set against a rain slick Seattle, Past Perfect follows a veteran detective who tries to shut down a kid run arms ring before more violence erupts. His pursuit tightens when he finally corners a teenage dealer, but the law won't let him indict the youth as an adult. Meanwhile a ruthless killer methodically wipes out the rest of the gang, turning the case into a race against time. The detective finds himself drawn into a dangerous dynamic where saving one kid may require wading into the very underworld he hunts. The city becomes a pressure cooker as moral lines blur and personal risk climbs.
Past Perfect was directed by Jonathan Heap from a screenplay by John Penney. Shot largely on location in Seattle, the film leans on practical effects and tight room tone to give its urban sci fi beat weight. Eric Roberts and Laurie Holden anchor the ensemble with a blunt, no frills energy.
Box office data for Past Perfect is not widely published, a sign of its limited release and niche appeal. Because it was not widely released theatrically, figures are sparse, and the film has not had a lasting breakout on streaming platforms or home video.
There are no major awards or nominations widely associated with Past Perfect, and it did not become a fixture in awards season discourse. The film's absence from major ceremonies mirrors its status as a cultish curiosity rather than a marquee release.
Critically, Past Perfect lands somewhere between gritty procedural mood and speculative thriller. Viewers are invited to question the ethics of street justice, the way youth crime feeds into a cycle of violence, and how law enforcement negotiates risk while trying to protect vulnerable suspects. The performances ground the film in human cost, while the Seattle setting adds a moody atmosphere that lingers after the credits. Some critics note the film's quiet restraint as a strength, preferring mood over glossy flash, and see it as a cautionary tale about how fear can drive decisions in urban policing.
Details
- Release Date
- October 11, 1996
- Runtime
- 1h 32m
- User Ratings
- 12 votes
- Type
- Movie
- Genres
- Science Fiction, Action
- Country
- Canada
- Studio
- James Shavick Film Company +1 more
- External Links
- View on IMDB
Cast
Eric Roberts
Dylan Cooper
Laurie Holden
Ally Marsey
Nick Mancuso
Stone
Saul Rubinek
Bookkeeper
Marcie Mellish
Zoe
Emily Perkins
Karen ‘Shy Girl’ Daniels
Mark Hildreth
Rusty Walker
Yee Jee Tso
Kim Li 'Blade' Choh
Tygh Runyan
Sid 'Skull' Vincent
Director: Jonathan Heap
Written by: John Penney