[Movie Review] The Fate from our “Past Lives”

Have you ever wondered what your childhood crush was now doing? Have you ever wondered what would happen if you reconnected? Do our “Past Lives” come into play when considering our present fate? Hae Sung (played by Teo Yoo) and Nora (played by Greta Lee) wondered just that in the upcoming movie “Past Lives”. This movie is distributed by A24 who also brought you “Everything Everywhere All At Once”, “Beef”, and more.

Warning: This review may contain spoilers of the movie.

About Past Lives

Nora and Hae Sung, two deeply connected childhood friends, are wrest apart after Nora’s family emigrates from South Korea. Two decades later, they are reunited in New York for one fateful week as they confront notions of destiny, love, and the choices that make a life, in this heartrending modern romance. The film depicts their existence 12 years after being split apart at the early age of 12, when they had managed to rekindle their relationship despite being on opposite ends of the globe. However, they lose touch again until finding each other 12 years later; this time both in New York and in person. Additionally, the introduction of Arthur (played by John Magaro) upends their dynamic.

in yun/in yeon (인연)

In her directorial debut, Celine Song wrote and directed the movie “Past Lives” explaining the tradition of “in yun/in yeon (인연)”. The Korean proverb tied to this term is that “even simply brushing clothes with someone is fate”. Shortening the explanation (you’ll have to watch the movie for Nora’s full one!), it is the ties between two people over the course of their lives. Normally this tie will span 8,000 years before it becomes defined in something typically romantic.

After seeing Hae Sung again in person, Nora must now decide which life she truly wants because both are complete opposites. Celine Song understands this situation all too well as the movie can also be considered her dramatized autobiography of a moment in time in which she was in the same situation.

It’s important that the movie is not seen as a movie about dating. It’s a movie about love.

Celine Song, A24

Behind the Scenes Filming of Past Lives

A little behind the scenes of the movie was that the cast had to make sure that Teo Yoo and John Magaro actually did not meet until it was time to film together. They wanted the awkward first meet in the movie to be natural! From watching the movie, they definitely nailed it. Each scene was carefully and purposefully filmed in order to convey the significance of the setting. Something as simple as the direction they walk is deliberate. We see them walking together from right to left as they are “walking into the past” before Nora starts walking back to the right “into her future”. Celine Song and the crew were unquestionably able to make every scene look natural and authentic. From the awkwardness the characters share, to the love and heartbreak we feel through them.

The movie comes full center when Arthur believes Hae Sung and Nora have an undeniable “In Yun”. However, Hae Sung responds that he believes that even him and Arthur have “In Yun”. The film depicts that love is difficult and that there is no right or wrong way to go despite fate. There are so many ways the movie could have ended and that can still pan out. The audience will have to choose for themselves what path they will go and which character they connect the most with.

Coming Soon to Theaters

Highly recommended! Watch the trailer below and check it out in theaters soon. “Past Lives” will be released on June 2, 2023 in limited theaters!