- Andrew Scott, Paul Mescal, Jamie Bell, Claire Foy
- January 26th 2024
- Andrew Haigh
Andrew Scott and Paul Mescal play neighbours-turned-lovers in Andrew Haigh’s romantic fantasy.
Paul Mescal devastated cinemagoers with Aftersun last year and he’s back at it again with All of Us Strangers.
Andrew Haigh’s drama, loosely based on Taichi Yamada’s novel Strangers, tells the story of lonely screenwriter Adam (Andrew Scott) and his mysterious neighbour Harry (Mescal).
They seem to be two of the only people living in their London tower block and they become drawn to each other out of a desire for companionship and intimacy.
At the same time, Adam pays a visit to his childhood suburban home and finds his dead parents (Claire Foy and Jamie Bell) are inexplicably living there.
That plot summary covers the first 15 minutes and it wouldn’t be fair to reveal anymore because it is best to go into this movie knowing as little about it as possible.
Be warned – you will probably need tissues! It is a haunting, beautiful and extremely moving film about the importance of human connection.
If you aren’t sobbing through the credits, you are made of stronger stuff.
The premise is very strange and it takes a while to get to used to it but the supernatural/fantastical scenes at his parents’ house are very well written, with some poignant discussions between Adam and his parents about his sexuality.
If you’ve lost a parent, these scenes are emotionally brutal, and if you’re in the LGBTQ community, they will hit different.
The drama sensitively explores how attitudes to homosexuality have changed in the past 30 years but how much progress still needs to be done.
It is astounding that all the performances were snubbed at the Oscars this week. Scott, in particular, gives his career-best performance here. His portrayal of the deeply lonely Adam is understated but emotionally shattering.
Scott also has sizzling chemistry with Mescal, who once again puts in an effortlessly natural and raw performance.
Foy and Bell are also excellent as the parents catching up with all the years they’ve lost with their son.
All of Us Strangers is a top-tier film that should be winning all of the awards. Don’t miss it at the cinema.
In cinemas from Friday 26th January.
© Cover Media