A Big Bold Beautiful Journey
The brief
Kogonada's latest feels like *Eternal Sunshine* meets *About Time*, but without the emotional precision that made either of those films sing. Farrell and Robbie have solid chemistry, yet the fantastical elements never quite gel with the grounded romance, leaving you caught between two different movies that never fully commit to either approach. The director's trademark visual elegance is here, but the pacing drags whenever the film tries to explain its own magical realism, which happens more often than it should. Perfect for fans of ambitious romantic sci-fi that prioritizes mood over logic, though you might leave wishing it had picked a lane and stayed in it.
The verdict
If you're drawn to visually stunning romantic sci-fi that prioritizes atmosphere and emotional exploration over narrative coherence, this is a beautiful if flawed experience worth your time. If you need your magical realism to make sense or prefer romances that don't get bogged down in overly complicated fantastical mechanics, you'll likely find this frustratingly indecisive.
Watch with
- 👫 Perfect date night for couples who love sci-fi romance
- ⚠️ Skip if you need clear plot logic
Heads up
- Emotional themes about past regrets and loss (moderate)
- Some drinking at wedding celebration (brief)
Credits
- Director
- Kogonada
- Cast
- Colin Farrell, Margot Robbie, Kevin Kline, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Lily Rabe, Hamish Linklater, Jodie Turner-Smith
Official synopsis
Sarah and David are single strangers who meet at a mutual friend’s wedding and soon, through a surprising twist
The Double
Make a night of it
Pair this with Whisper of the Heart (1995)
Both explore how past experiences shape romantic destiny and future possibilities.
Total runtime: 1h 49m + 1h 51m = 3h 40m
