“This is where I ended up. This is where I’m supposed to be.”

After premiering at the Sundance film festival to much universal acclaim, Celine Song’s astounding directorial debut, Past Lives, has finally made its way to a nationwide audience. And it being one of my most anticipated films of the year, let me tell you this: it certainly did not disappoint. In fact, by the end, it nearly destroyed me, and all things considered, it could do the same to you too.

We’re taken back 24 years earlier to meet young Na Young (Seung Ah Moon) and young Hae Sung (Seung Min Yim) in South Korea as competitive schoolmates but also good friends. One day, Na Young reveals her and her family are immigrating to Canada, changing her name, and changing her life. Twelve years later, the two reconnect with Hae Sung still in Korea and Nora in New York. There are many good-natured conversations about their drastically different lives, how it doesn’t make sense that they’ve missed each other, and even talk about one of them making a visit to see each other, though it could be a year or more to wait. But…would that honestly be the right thing to do?

At this is the point in the film, the air shifts into uncertainty and wonder. We spent that last 20 or so minutes watching with a joyful glee as these two reconnect. Of course, we are almost aching for them to move into romantic territory as their chemistry quietly flourishes before our eyes. But…this isn’t that kind of movie. Things are not so romantically simple. Nora has ambitions for her writing, and Hae Sung is not only in a different country, but what feels like it might as well be a totally different world.

12 more years pass. Nora is married to Arthur and is still living in New York. Then after all this time has passed, Hae Sung and Nora see finally see each other for the first time in over 20 years when Hae Sung comes to New York. Especially when the film arrives at this section, Song, with her impeccable writing and directing, demonstrates that she is one of the few rare talents that is able to delicately present the space between things and the nuances of these characters. The hands that are close but never touching, the smitten stares into each other’s eyes, the things that are said/not, and so much more. All of this under the tense umbrella of uncertainty that lasts until the two’s final moments together in the film followed by a release of emotions that is both devastating yet satisfying.

And all of this is just expertly handled by the gracious performances of Lee and Yoo, and a wonderful supporting performance by Magaro (who is a severely underrated actor, in my opinion).

Hae Sung and Nora undoubtedly have this inextricable link to each other, but their true relationship is something that really cannot be put into words, and even by the end of the film, it remains that way. But as the characters themselves and the film suggests, maybe they meant or will mean something else to each in another life.

I cannot recommend this film more. It is one of the best feature debuts in recent memory, and it is definitely one of the best films of the year.

Past Lives is now playing in select theaters.

Home Video Distributor: Lionsgate Films
Available on Blu-ray - September 19, 2023
Screen Formats: 1.85:1
Subtitles: English SDH; Spanish
Audio: English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
Discs: Blu-ray Disc; single disc
Region Encoding: Locked to Region A

Nora and Hae Sung, two deeply connected childhood friends, are wrested 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.

Video

Presented in an aspect ratio of 1.85:1, the 1080p transfer shows off the wonderful texture, grain, and colors of the 35 mm film that Past Lives was shot on. The detail of the image is consistently sharp and pleasing and there seems to be no imperfections from the film scan. A wonderful image that perfectly compliments the integrity and mood of the film.

Audio

With the 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio track, the soundscape of dialogue (both English and Korean), ambient noises, and the beautiful score from Christopher Bear and Daniel Rossen are all beautifully mixed together and clear. While it’s not the type of film that takes full advantage of the multiple channel audio, the immersive quality of the 5.1 pulls you in closer to this already delicately intimate film.

Supplements:

There’s not a lot extra stuff included on this release, but there is a wonderful commentary with the director and two of the film’s stars. Plus, there is a neat featurette featuring the making and analysis of the film that is extremely insightful and enjoyable.

Commentary:

• Audio Commentary with Writer-Director Celine Song and Actors Greta Lee and Teo Yoo

Special Features:

• Deleted Scenes
• “Bound by Fate: Exploring Past Lives” Featurette

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Composite Blu-ray Grade

MPAA Rating: PG-13.
Runtime: 105 mins
Director: Celine Song
Writer: Celine Song
Cast: Greta Lee; Teo Yoo; John Magaro
Genre: Drama | Romance
Tagline: Written and Directed by Celine Song.
Memorable Movie Quote: "Childhood sweethearts who connected 20 years later and realized they were meant for each other."
Theatrical Distributor: A24
Official Site: https://a24films.com/films/past-lives
Release Date: June 23, 2023
DVD/Blu-ray Release Date: September 19, 2023
Synopsis: 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.