Rating: 4/5

Three-Word Summary: Time travel rescue

Combine the storytelling mind of Stephen King, cinematic prowess of J.J. Abrams and acting chops of James Franco, and you can’t go wrong.

That’s certainly the case for the trio’s brainchild: 11.22.63, recently released as a mini-series exclusively on Hulu.

If that name sounds odd (or oddly familiar), that’s because its the date JFK was assassinated. There certainly have been plenty of pop culture references to the famed murder, but none quite like this.

Because, in true King fashion, 11.22.63 adds the twist of time-travel. The series was adapted by the novel by King (an executive producer on the show, along with Abrams), which was published in 2011.

Jake Epping (Franco) discovers a worm hole at a road-side diner in present day Maine that transports him back to the 1960s. He uses this space-time rift to try and rectify the killing of Kennedy.

Only, it’s not that simple, because the past fights back. As we come to learn, the past doesn’t like to be changed and actively, violently bucks against Epping’s efforts.

Over the eight episodes, 11.22.63 builds on the characters that Epping meets in the past and gradually builds towards the climactic day referenced in the show’s title.

While the plot takes turns that I didn’t expect based on the premise, it nonetheless delivers a riving and intriguing story, rife with suspense. The characters are compelling and the tension is palpable.

Fans of King should note that this is decidedly different than his works of horror. While the tone strikes some of the same chords, it’s decidedly more thriller than terror.

Overall, its a program well worth experiencing, if only to find out whether or not one man is able to change the course of history by preventing one of the world’s most famous (and mysterious) assassinations.