Opened: June 2, 2023

Directed by: Celine Song

Starring: Greta Lee, Teo Yoo, John Magaro, Seung Ah Moon, Seung Min Yim, Ji Hye Yoon, Choi Won-young & Min Young Ahn

An affecting romance that’ll make you think about your life as a whole, Past Lives is a brilliant feature debut from writer-director Celine Song.

After 12 years apart, Nora (Greta Lee) – formerly Na Young – reconnects with Hae Sung (Teo Yoo). They lose touch again and 12 more years later, Hae Sung visits Nora in New York where she lives with her husband Arthur (John Magaro).

It’s interesting to see how the characters’ lives grow without each other but how they retain a strong connection whenever they meet. You can feel the love between the two even though it never dives into anything sexual.

Lee and Yoo are brilliant and share great chemistry that’ll warm your heart even when it’s breaking. Magaro has critical moments as the self-described “villain.”

Final say: Makes you think of your past and future. ★★★★★