Andromeda 1883 (2024) - Once Upon a Time in a Western

A galactic criminal named Deimos has been sentenced to death for creating a personal army, thereby violating the Eliptical Accords.

But before dying, he has dispatched a Manslayer to 1883 Texas to kill a female saloon owner named Telly Carter.

If the Manslayer accomplishes the mission, the Andromeda program will never be created, and mankind will cease to exist.

So on planet Neo, scientist Robert O’Grady is planning a counter measure in cooperation with an exiled friend named Joseph Sharp.

They will send their best soldier, Casey Reynolds (Thom Hallum), back in time as well.

His mission is simple: Kill the Manslayer with the special pistol he’s been provided and, at all costs, protect the life of Telly Carter (Tiffany McDonald).

Simple doesn’t mean easy. He’s going to have to convince Telly and Sheriff Rogers that his seemingly far-fetched story is true. Then he’s going to have to kill a nearly indestructible Manslayer.

As for getting back to the future – or his present – well, McGrady is still working on that.

Thom Hallum as Casey Reynolds, about to take a trip through time in Andromeda 1883 (2024)

Tiffany McDonald as Telly, the human the Manslayer has been sent to eliminate in Andromeda 1883 (2024)

Wow, this was made on a shoestring budget. Check out McGrady’s office furniture: a foldup table, a laptop and a bar stool.

And check out the Western town where Telly Carter lives. She’s the ONLY permanent resident.

That said, having suffered through Brett Bentman’s “Doc Holliday” triology, I was expecting worse from this mix of science fiction and Western.

Thom Hallum, a Bentman regular, is sure and steady as the lead, and some of the dialogue is a tongue-in-cheek delight. I hope it was intended that way.

As for the plot, a successful mission for Reynolds will mean nothing changes in the Old West; no one dies who didn’t in 1883. But it will also mean that one of the future scientists will cease to exist. Even though a successful mission for Reynolds means .

Huh? How does that work?

The Manslayer searching for Telly Carter in hopes of ending the human race in Andromeda 1883 (2024)

Andy Andersen as Sheriff Rogers, skeptical of Reynolds’ tale of aliens and time travel in Andromeda 1883 (2024)

Directed by:
Brett Bentman

Cast:
Thom Hallum … Casey Reynolds
Michael Dooley … Robert McGrady
Tom Zembrod … Joseph Sharp
Tiffany McDonald … Telly Carter
Andy Andersen … Sheriff Rogers

Runtime: 75 min.

Thom Hallum as Casey Reynolds, trying to take down a Manslayer in Andromeda 1883 (2024)

Michael Dooley as Robert McGrady, explaining the mission to Reynolds in Andromeda 1883 (2024)

Memorable lines:

Robert McGrady to Casey Reynolds, explaining why he was chosen for the time travel mission: “You’re kind of a god when it comes to kicking alien ass.”

Sheriff Rogers to Telly Carter: “My grandpappy used to say, ‘If you’re lonesome when you alone, it could just be bad company.'”

Sheriff Rogers: “This man eater you’re talking about …”
Reynolds: “Manslayer.”
Sheriff: “Manslayer. How’s it even going to know how to find her if it gets here?”
Reynolds: “I already told you. It was created for one purpose and one purpose only — to find Telly and to kill her.”
Telly: “Oh, God, that sucks.”

Telly Carter, when the sheriff expresses doubt in a story from someone who claims to be from the future: “I know it sounds crazy. But sheriff, I believe him.”
Sheriff Rogets: “Why?”
Telly Carter, in an otherwise empty bar in a town without residents: “I mean, look at him. He’s not like any of those other fellas you see walking through this place.”

Sharp, waxing poetic: “Memories don’t escape us if we want them bad enough. And the good ones are like a second heartbeat.”
Casey Reynolds, when Telly Carter holds one of his futuristic devises upside down: “Hey, this way, Einstein.”
Telly Carter: “Einstein? What’s that?”

Sheriff Rogers to saloon owner Telly Carter: “Let’s make a toast. Here’s to sinning with bow-legged women.”