12:01 PM (1990 film)

12:01 PM is a 1990 science fiction short film directed by Jack Sholder. It premiered on Showtime and is based on the Hugo Award-nominated short story of the same name by Richard Lupoff.

The film centers around Myron Castleman (played by Kurtwood Smith), a man caught in a time loop where he relives the same hour, from 12:01 PM to 1:01 PM, repeatedly. During this hour, he must grapple with the strange phenomenon and try to figure out how to escape the loop. He gradually uncovers the reason for the time loop, finding it connected to a scientific experiment at the research facility where he works.

The story explores themes of causality, free will, and the potential consequences of scientific experimentation. The film is notable for its concise storytelling and the portrayal of a character struggling with a bizarre and unsettling situation. It predates the more widely known film Groundhog Day (1993) which also features a character caught in a time loop, leading to discussions about which film originated the concept in popular culture.