Past Lives viewers have burst into tears watching the “beautiful” Korean-American film on Netflix, as fans compare it to One Day and Normal People.
The romantic drama is directed by Celine Song and developed by American film production company A24, which developed Priscilla and Aftersun.
The film, starring Greta Lee and Teo Yoo, follows two childhood friends, Na and Hae Sun, whose lives take drastically different turns after she immigrates to North America with her family.
After raking in more than $24 million at the box office, the critically acclaimed film, which last night won Best Picture at the Independent Spirit Awards and was nominated for Best Picture at the upcoming Oscars, was recently added to Netflix in the United Kingdom.
In the 10 days it has been on the streaming platform, impressed viewers have gushed about the “beautiful” depiction of lost love and the challenges of emigrating.
Celine Song’s writing and directing debut, Past Lives, has caused a storm on social media following its debut on Netflix, despite its release last year. The film follows two childhood sweethearts, Nora (played by Greta Lee, left) and Hae Sun (played by Teo Yoo, right).
One wrote: ‘Very late to the party but Past Lives is sublime. Incredible performance that says a lot with body language and silence.’
Referencing the hugely popular Sally Rooney TV adaptation starring Paul Mescal and Daisy Edgar Jones, another added: “Normal people walked so past lives could run!”
“One of the best movies of awards season,” said a third. ‘Beautifully acted and directed. The script is PERFECT.’
“What an ugly cry watching Past Lives again,” said a fourth fan. ‘What movie! I think the last ten minutes are close to perfection.
“Between past lives and one day, I’m getting sick of beautiful, melancholy love stories this weekend,” gushed a fifth. “Maybe I should rewatch Normal People or something to overload myself.”
When it was initially released, the film was praised by industry heavyweight Christopher Nolan, who said Time magazine that was one of his favorite recent films along with Aftersun.
He guardian Critic Peter Bradshaw said, “This sad, romantic film by Korean-Canadian playwright and filmmaker Celine Song left me drained, empty, and strangely euphoric, as if I’d had an 18-month adventure over the course.” of an hour and three quarters.
Meanwhile, Nick De Semlyen of Empire The magazine said: ‘A transcendent debut for South Korean-Canadian filmmaker Celine Song, this romantic drama is a masterclass in slow, simmering storytelling. It will stay with you, perhaps even in your next life.
“Celine Song makes a quietly spectacular debut as a writer-director with Past Lives, a lyrical, slow-moving film that deftly holds back wellsprings of emotion, until it unleashes a deluge,” said Ann Hornaday of the Washington Post.
The film’s resurgence in popularity comes after Netflix’s adaptation of One Day surpassed 15.2 million views in just 11 days. The 14-episode series starring Ambika Mod, 28, and Leo Woodall, 27, launched on February 8 and has since captured hearts with its heartwarming story and heartbreaking ending.
Past Lives follows Na o Nora (played by Greta Lee) and Hae Sun (played by Teo Yoo), who are two childhood sweethearts separated after Nora’s family emigrates from South Korea to Canada.
At age 12, the couple has their last in-person meeting for 20 years. As they walk back from school together, Hae Sun walks on a flat path while Na climbs the stairs, symbolizing Hae Sun’s stagnant future without Nora, while her life continues without him.
Na changes her name to Nora and explores new lands and her opportunities in Canada before settling down as a playwright in New York, married to an American named Arthur.
Nora and Hae Sun reconnect in New York after Hae Sun tracked down her ex-lover through social media.
At age 12, Nora emigrates to Canada with her family while Hae Sung continues his life in Korea. The final scene of the couple in their childhood shows Nora climbing stairs while Hae Sung continues along a flat path, a metaphor for her future.
The former lovers meet again in New York 20 years after they last saw each other and confront issues of love and destiny.
The film’s resurgence in popularity comes after Netflix’s adaptation of One Day (pictured) surpassed 15.2 million views in just 11 days.
Hae Sun takes an engineering course, completes mandatory military service, and then accepts a job in what he considers a normal life.
The two keep in touch occasionally via Skype. Twenty years later, the couple reunites for a week and confronts themes of love, destiny, and the complexities of being an immigrant as viewers wonder if they will end up together.
The film explores an absorbing motif called In-Yun, a Korean word for reincarnation that explains that the interactions between two people in this life are due to the interactions in their previous lives.
Past Lives hit theaters in September of last year. However, it has since been given new life following its debut on Netflix this month.
And like the film it references, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, the film has earned cult classic status among critics and viewers alike.
The arrival of the film on Netflix has caused a stir on social networks five months after its cinematic premiere
Accepting the Best Picture award at the Spirit Awards last night, Celine Song said: “There is a concept in our movie, it’s an Eastern concept and it’s about how finding and being in the same space and time in this life means that in fact , they knew each other for many, many lives before this one.
“And I think in making this movie, I’ve felt that way with everyone here on set, and I know they’ve felt the same way.
“Accepting the best picture award on behalf of all of them and on behalf of our team is a feeling of me getting to where I feel, you know, less alone because I know everyone here feels the same way too.”
Celine Song was born in South Korea but moved to Ontario in Canada when she was 12 years old.