“Past Lives” is a beautifully made and acted film that explores the power of first love and the challenges of long-distance relationships. Nora and Hae Sung are two deeply connected childhood friends who are wrenched apart when Nora’s family emigrates from South Korea. 20 years later, they are reunited for one fateful week as they confront notions of love and destiny.
If you like a moving film about love, loss, or the power of first love, here are a few movies similar to “Past Lives” you might want to check out.
1. The Best of Me (2014)
Directed by Michael Hoffman and based on the novel of the same name by Nicholas Sparks. The story follows the protagonists, Amanda Collier (Michelle Monaghan) and Dawson Cole (James Marsden), who were high school sweethearts but went their separate ways after graduation due to their different backgrounds.
It starts with Amanda and Dawson receiving news about the death of Tuck Hostetler (Gerald McRaney), who was their mutual friend and mentor during their teenage years. Tuck’s death brings Amanda and Dawson back to their hometown of Oriental, North Carolina, where they haven’t seen each other in over 20 years. Amanda, now married with children, runs into Dawson, who has been in trouble with the law and is now working on an oil rig. As they reconnect, the two reflect on their past romance and the reasons why they broke up.
“The Best of Me” flashes back to their teenage years when they first fell in love, despite their families’ disapproval. They spent a summer together, until a tragic event tore them apart. The audience is left wondering if they will rekindle their romance or if their past will keep them apart.
2. In the Mood for Love (2000)
“In the Mood for Love” is a 2000 Hong Kong film directed by Wong Kar-wai. The film explores themes of love, loneliness, longing, and the societal pressures that inhibit individuals from expressing their desires.
It tells a story about two neighbors, Mr. Chow and Mrs. Chan, living in a crowded apartment building in 1960s Hong Kong. Both of their spouses are frequently away on business trips, leaving them alone in their apartments. Mr. Chow and Mrs. Chan eventually discover that their spouses are having an affair with each other. As Mr. Chow and Mrs. Chan spend more time together, they develop feelings for each other, but they are hesitant to act on their emotions due to their cultural and moral values.
3. Atonement (2007)
“Atonement” is a 2007 British romantic war drama film directed by Joe Wright and based on the novel of the same name by Ian McEwan. The movie revolves around a young girl, Briony Tallis (Saoirse Ronan), who misinterprets a romantic encounter between her elder sister, Cecilia (Keira Knightley), and Robbie Turner (James McAvoy), leading to catastrophic consequences.
Set in 1935 England, the film begins with Briony, a budding writer, witnessing a seemingly intimate moment between Cecilia and Robbie during a hot summer day at the Tallis family’s country estate. Later that evening, Briony mistakenly accuses Robbie of a crime he did not commit, which leads to his imprisonment and separation from Cecilia. As World War II breaks out, Robbie is released from prison but enlists in the army, while Cecilia becomes a nurse and the two are separated even further.
The film then follows Briony as she matures into a young woman (played by Romola Garai) who attempts to atone for her mistake by becoming a nurse herself and caring for wounded soldiers during the war. Meanwhile, Robbie fights in the war and yearns to be reunited with Cecilia, despite the distance and danger.
The final act of the film takes place in London during the war, where Briony (now played by Vanessa Redgrave) has become an elderly author. She reveals that she wrote a novel that was based on her past experiences, including her accusations against Robbie, and that she has been trying to make amends for her mistakes ever since.
4. The Last Letter from Your Lover (2021)
Directed by Augustine Frizzell and based on the novel of the same name by Jojo Moyes. The story follows a journalist named Ellie (Felicity Jones) who discovers a series of love letters written in the 1960s between Jennifer Stirling (Shailene Woodley), a wealthy married woman, and Anthony O’Hare (Callum Turner), a struggling journalist.
As Ellie delves deeper into the letters, she becomes obsessed with uncovering the truth about what happened to Jennifer and Anthony, and how their love story came to an end. Along the way, she develops a connection with Rory (Nabhaan Rizwan), a young archivist who helps her with her research. Through a series of flashbacks, we see Jennifer and Anthony’s relationship blossom despite the societal pressures of the time, with Jennifer ultimately having to choose between her husband and the man she truly loves.
While “The Last Letter from Your Lover” is set in the 1960s, its themes are just as relevant today as they were then. The Last Letter from Your Lover reminds us that love is a complicated and often messy thing, but that it’s always worth fighting for.
5. Wild Mountain Thyme (2020)
Directed by John Patrick Shanley and starring Emily Blunt and Jamie Dornan. The film is an adaptation of Shanley’s own play, Outside Mullingar, and tells the story of two Irish farmers, Rosemary Muldoon (Blunt) and Anthony Reilly (Dornan), who have been in love since childhood but struggle to express their feelings for one another.
“Wild Mountain Thyme” explores themes of regret, forgiveness, and the power of connection, reminding us that despite our differences, we all share a universal desire for love and belonging. Wild Mountain Thyme is a must-see for anyone who appreciates a beautifully crafted love story set against the stunning backdrop of the Irish countryside.
6. All My Life (2020)
“All My Life” is a 2020 romantic drama film directed by Marc Meyers and written by Todd Rosenberg. The movie tells the true story of Soloman Chau (Harry Shum Jr.) and Jennifer Carter (Jessica Rothe), who fall in love and plan their dream wedding, only to have their plans derailed by a devastating cancer diagnosis.
Soloman is a chef and Jennifer works as a veterinary technician. They have been together for several years and are deeply in love. When Soloman proposes to Jennifer, they begin planning for their dream wedding, which becomes a source of great joy and excitement for both of them. However, their plans are soon cut short when Soloman is diagnosed with liver cancer and given only a few months to live.
With their wedding plans in shambles, Jennifer and Soloman decide to throw together a last-minute celebration, with the help of their friends and family. Despite the challenges they face, including the emotional toll of Soloman’s illness and the financial strain of paying for medical treatment, they remain committed to each other and their love keeps them strong.
7. Before Sunset (2004)
In 2004, director Richard Linklater released one of the most beloved romance films of all time – “Before Sunset.” This sequel to his earlier film, “Before Sunrise,” takes place nine years after the events of the first movie.
The film follows Jesse (played by Ethan Hawke) and Celine (played by Julie Delpy), who reconnect in Paris after not seeing each other for almost a decade. Jesse is now a successful author on a book tour, and Celine attends his reading at a bookstore. After the event, they spend the afternoon walking around Paris and catching up on their lives. As the day progresses, Jesse and Celine’s conversations become increasingly intimate and reveal the emotional baggage they both carry from their past relationship. Despite the time that’s passed, it’s clear that they still have feelings for each other.
As the sun begins to set, Jesse must make a decision – whether to return to his life in America or stay with Celine in Paris. The film ends with an ambiguous but hopeful conclusion, leaving audiences to speculate on what their future might hold.
8. Certified Copy (2010)
The movie stars Juliette Binoche and William Shimell as two strangers who meet in Tuscany and spend the day together discussing art, love, and the nature of authenticity.
Binoche plays an unnamed French antique dealer living in Italy who attends a lecture by British author James Miller (played by Shimell) on his latest book, which argues that copies of great works of art can be just as valuable as the originals. After the lecture, Binoche invites Shimell to her shop where they continue their discussion over coffee. But as they wander through the Tuscan countryside, their conversation takes on a more personal tone, and they begin to question whether their relationship is a real one or merely a copy of something else.
“Certified Copy” received critical acclaim upon its release, with many praising Binoche and Shimell’s performances and Kiarostami’s exploration of the nature of art and relationships. The film won Best Actress at the Cannes Film Festival and was nominated for numerous other awards, cementing Kiarostami’s reputation as one of the most innovative and thought-provoking directors working today.