Plot
In 2006, architect Michael Newman is being taken advantage of by his overbearing boss, John Ammer, and often prioritizes work over his parents, his wife Donna, and their children, Ben and Samantha. One night, while working on a project, he has an argument with Donna about cancelling a family trip in favor of working.
Unable to keep track of multiple remote controls, he visits Bed Bath & Beyond to buy a universal remote. He stumbles around various departments before falling asleep on a display bed. After he wakes up, he enters the 'Beyond' door and meets a man calling himself Morty, who gifts him a prototype universal remote, and warns him that the remote cannot be returned.
Returning home, Michael accidentally discovers that the remote can control not just electronics, but his whole life. He uses it at work to cause mischiefs and 'fast-forward' past inconveniences, such as heavy traffic, illnesses, and arguments. Morty tells him that during these times, his body is on auto-pilot, going through the motions while his mind skips ahead.
Anticipating a promotion after using the remote at a work dinner/presentation, Michael spends lavishly on himself and his family, only for Ammer to reveal that he will have to wait several months. Feeling like he has disappointed his family, Michael uses the remote to skip ahead to the promotion, which skips an entire year of his life. In 2007, he is in marriage counseling with Donna, and the family dog has died. The remote, having learned Michael's preferences, begins to fast-forward automatically whenever there is a problem that Michael usually fast forwards through. Despite Michael's numerous attempts to get rid of the remote, it reappears. Later, Michael tells Morty to return where it belongs since the remote started to fast-forward on its own, but Morty refuses to take it back because it cannot be returned, fulfilling his warning.
The next day, Michael tries to prevent the remote from skipping his daily routines. However, when Ammer tells Michael that he is leaving the country and suggests that Michael may one day become the CEO, he says he would like that to happen, causing the remote to skip ahead 10 years in the future. In 2017, Michael is the wealthy, morbidly obese CEO of the company, his children are moody teenagers, Donna has divorced Michael and is dating Bill, Ben's former swim coach, and his family hate him because of his actions. When a furious Michael attacks Bill, the new dog jumps up and pushes him over, knocking Michael unconscious, causing the remote to fast-forward six years to 2023. Michael learns from Donna that his head injury resulted in a diagnosis of cancer. He suffered a heart attack during chemotherapy but has recovered and recently had liposuction. He also learns that Donna is married to Bill.
Michael learns from Ben, now working in his company as a rising executive, that his father Ted died in 2021. Realizing that he wasn't present at the time of Ted's death, Michael reviews his last moment with his father, learning that he coldly refused to spend time with Ted; instead, he stayed at work. At Ted's grave, Michael confronts Morty, who reveals that he is an Angel of Death and that taking Ted was not something he wanted to do. Overcome with guilt and shame, Michael asks to go to a 'good place', whereupon the remote fast-forwards to Ben's wedding in 2029. Michael is shocked to see that his mother is so old, and he suffers another heart attack after overhearing Samantha refer to Bill as her father.
At the hospital, Ben reveals that he postponed his honeymoon due to work. Realizing that Ben is repeating Michael's mistakes, Michael gathers the last of his strength to follow Ben outside. When Michael collapses in the parking lot, he urges Ben to put his family first, makes peace with Bill, and assures his family that he loves them before dying.
Suddenly, Michael unexpectedly awakens back in 2006 at Bed Bath & Beyond. Convinced his harrowing experiences were simply a dream, he approaches life with renewed appreciation. He visits his parents and tells them how much he loves them, then goes home and reassures Donna, Ben, and Samantha that he will spend more time with them. Later, he discovers the remote on his kitchen counter, accompanied by a note from Morty. Understanding that it was not a dream, but a warning, Michael disposes of the remote in the trash, and this time, it does not appear automatically. Michael goes to spend time with his family.
.jpg?width=400)
.jpg?width=400)
