‘Past Lives’ Release Date: Plot, Spoilers, Cast, Trailer, Streaming, Schedule & Where To Watch?
‘Past Lives’: Are you ready for a heartwarming summer romance that will make you believe in fate and destiny? If so, you might want to check out ‘Past Lives’, a new film by writer and director Celine Song, starring Greta Lee and Teo Yoo as childhood friends who reunite after 20 years apart.
The film has already received rave reviews from critics and audiences alike, and is set to hit theaters on June 2, 2023. Here is everything you need to know about this movie, including where to watch it, who’s in it, and what it’s about.
What is ‘Past Lives’ about?
‘Past Lives’ is a romantic drama that explores the concept of ‘inyeon’, a Korean word that means providence or fate, or how people end up in each other’s lives. The film follows Nora and Hae Sung, two deeply connected childhood friends who are separated when Nora’s family emigrates from South Korea to Canada, and then to New York. Twenty years later, they are reunited for one fateful week in New York, as they confront notions of love and destiny.
The film is inspired by Celine Song’s own experiences as a Korean immigrant who moved to Canada and then to the US, and her fascination with the idea of ‘inyeon’. She said in an interview with Collider: “I wanted to make a film that was about the people who come into our lives and leave, and the people who stay, and how we make sense of that. I also wanted to explore the idea of ‘inyeon’, which is something that I grew up with, and how it shapes our relationships and our choices.”
Cast and Character
The film features a talented cast of actors, both Korean and American, who bring the characters to life with authenticity and emotion. The main leads are:
| Actor | Character | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Greta Lee | Nora Moon | A successful playwright who lives in New York with her husband Arthur. She was born in South Korea as Na Young and moved to Canada and then to the US when she was 12. She reconnects with her childhood friend Hae Sung after 20 years. |
| Teo Yoo | Hae Sung | An engineer who works in Seoul and visits Nora in New York. He was Nora’s classmate and crush in Korea, but lost contact with her when she emigrated. He wonders what they were to each other in their past lives. |
| John Magaro | Arthur | Nora’s husband and a professor of literature. He loves Nora but feels insecure about her relationship with Hae Sung. He questions if Nora married him for a green card. |
| Moon Seung-ah | Young Nora | Nora’s younger self in Korea. She was close friends with Hae Sung and went on a date with him. She was sad to leave him when her family moved to Canada. |
| Leem Seung-min | Young Hae Sung | Hae Sung’s younger self in Korea. He liked Nora and was heartbroken when she left. He tried to find her online but did not know her name change. |
| Ji Hye Yoon | Nora’s Mom | Hae Sung’s younger self in Korea. He liked Nora and was heartbroken when she left. He tried to find her online but did not know her name changed. |
| Choi Won-young | Nora’s Dad | Hae Sung’s mother raised him in Korea. She supported Hae Sung’s career and encouraged him to travel. |
| Ahn Min-Young | Hae Sung’s Mom | Nora’s mother moved with her to Canada and then to New York. She wanted Nora to have a better life and education. |
| Seo Yeon-Woo | Young Si Young | Nora’s childhood friend in Korea. She was jealous of Nora and Hae Sung’s relationship and tried to sabotage it. |
| Kiha Chang | Hae Sung’s Friend #1 | One of Hae Sung’s friends in Korea. He teased Hae Sung about Nora and his love life. |
| Shin Hee-Chul | Hae Sung’s Friend #2 | Another one of Hae Sung’s friends in Korea. He was curious about Nora and asked Hae Sung about her. |
| Jun Hyuk Park | Hae Sung’s Friend #3 | The third one of Hae Sung’s friends in Korea. He was supportive of Hae Sung and his feelings for Nora. |
| Jack Alberts | CBP Officer | The officer who checked Hae Sung’s passport at the airport. He was friendly and welcomed Hae Sung to New York. |
| Jane Kim | Actress | The actress who played in Nora’s play. She was impressed by Nora’s writing and praised her. |
| Noo Ri Song | Na Young’s Childhood Friend 1 | One of Na Young’s friends in Canada. She helped Na Young adjust to the new country and culture. |
| Si Ah Jin | Na Young’s Childhood Friend 2 | Another one of Na Young’s friends in Canada. She was interested in Na Young’s background and asked her about Korea. |
| Yoon Seo Choi | Na Young’s Childhood Friend 3 | The third one of Na Young’s friends in Canada. She was friendly and invited Na Young to hang out with her. |
| Seung Un Hwang | Hae Sung’s Girlfriend | Hae Sung’s girlfriend in Korea. She broke up with him before he went to New York. She did not understand his connection with Nora. |
When and where can I watch ‘Past Lives’?
‘Past Lives’ had its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival on January 21, 2023, before playing at the Berlin International Film Festival, receiving critical acclaim at both events. The film will get a limited release on June 2, 2023, by A24, the studio behind acclaimed films like ‘Moonlight’, ‘Lady Bird’, ‘The Farewell’, and ‘Minari’. The film might head to streaming after its theatrical run period, but the details are not yet confirmed.
Read also: Funny Woman Season 2 Release Date
Official trailer
You can watch the official trailer for ‘Past Lives’ here, and see some clips and features from the film here.
Rating
Here is a table of the IMDb rating of ‘Past Lives’, a romantic drama film by Celine Song.
| IMDb Rating | Votes |
|---|---|
| 8.0/10 | 59,000 |
Why should I watch ‘Past Lives’?
‘Past Lives’ is a film that will touch your heart and make you think about the people who have shaped your life and the ones who got away. It is a film that celebrates the beauty and complexity of human relationships, and the power of fate and destiny. It is a film that showcases the talent and diversity of Korean and American actors, and the vision and voice of a rising filmmaker. It is a film that has received glowing reviews from critics and audiences alike and has won several awards and nominations, including:
- Sundance Film Festival: Grand Jury Prize, Audience Award, and Best Director for Celine Song.
- Berlin International Film Festival: Golden Bear, Silver Bear for Best Actress for Greta Lee, and Silver Bear for Best Actor for Teo Yoo.
- Critics’ Choice Awards: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actress, Best Actor, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Foreign Language Film.
- Golden Globe Awards: Best Motion Picture – Drama, Best Director, Best Actress – Drama, Best Actor – Drama, Best Screenplay, and Best Foreign Language Film.
- Academy Awards: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actress, Best Actor, Best Original Screenplay, and Best International Feature Film.
‘Past Lives’ is a film that you don’t want to miss, especially if you are a fan of romance, drama, and Korean culture. It is a film that will make you laugh, cry, and feel all the emotions. It is a film that will stay with you long after you watch it. So mark your calendars for June 2, 2023, and get ready to experience ‘Past Lives’.
