The World to Come
The World to Come

Movie spotlight

The World to Come

2021
Movie
105 min
English

In 1856, two women forge a close connection despite their isolation on the American frontier.

Insights

IMDb5.8/10
Rotten Tomatoes64%
Metacritic67/100
Google Users68%
Director: Mona FastvoldGenres: Drama, Romance

Plot Summary

In 19th-century rural New York, Abigail chronicles the slow decay of her marriage to Dyer. As Abigail and her husband's neighbor, Tallie, develop a deep, intimate connection, the fragile peace of their lives is threatened by illness and the changing seasons. The film explores themes of love, loss, and the enduring human spirit against a backdrop of hardship.

Critical Reception

The World to Come received mixed to positive reviews from critics. Many praised its sensitive portrayal of female relationships, the performances of its lead actresses, and its atmospheric cinematography. However, some critics found the pacing to be slow and the narrative somewhat understated, leading to a divisive reception.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its tender exploration of a same-sex relationship in a restrictive era.

  • Lauded for the strong performances of Katherine Waterston and Vanessa Kirby.

  • Criticized by some for its deliberate, sometimes melancholic pacing.

Google audience: Audiences generally appreciated the film's emotional depth and the performances, particularly the central relationship. Some viewers found the story to be quiet and reflective, while others wished for a more pronounced narrative arc.

Awards & Accolades

Screened at the 77th Venice International Film Festival and the Toronto International Film Festival.

Fun Fact

The film's screenplay was written by Pamela Romanowsky and Prince Jackson, with significant contributions from Mona Fastvold.

AI-generated overview · Verify ratings on official sources

Community Critic Reviews

No critic reviews have been posted yet. Be the first to share your thoughts.

My Review

TMDB Reviews

2 reviews
Louisa Moore - Screen Zealots

Louisa Moore - S...

“The World to Come,” the film adaptation of Jim Shepard‘s 2017 short story of the same name, is just as sophisticated and lovely as the author’s elegant prose. Shepard also co-authored the screenplay (with Ron Hansen), and his eloquent writ...

Manuel São Bento

Manuel São Bento

If you enjoy reading my Spoiler-Free reviews, please follow my blog @ https://www.msbreviews.com I'm admittedly not the biggest lover of period pieces or romances set in past centuries. As weird and maybe even unfair as it might sound, ...

Video Reviews

No video reviews found for this title yet.