Have you ever wondered how much our past might shape the people we are today? The film Past Lives – Nos Vies d'Avant, directed by Celine Song, explores this question in a deeply moving and personal way.

Through a story about childhood friendship, long-lost connections, and the choices that define us, this film invites us to reflect on love, fate, and the passage of time. Let's explore this unforgettable journey together.

A Film Inspired by Real Life

What makes Past Lives so authentic is that it is inspired by the director's own experience. Celine Song found herself caught between two important people in her life — her husband and a childhood friend. Both knew a side of her the other didn't, and neither fully understood the whole person she was.

This feeling of being split between two worlds became the foundation for the film's story. It speaks to the complex way we live different versions of ourselves in different relationships.

Childhood Friendship and Dreams Interrupted

The story begins in South Korea, where we meet Na Young and Hae Sung, best friends since childhood. Na Young dreams of becoming a writer, while Hae Sung quietly supports her through thick and thin. Their bond is strong and innocent, full of promises and silent feelings. But everything changes when Na Young's family moves to Canada.

Their youthful connection is suddenly cut off, leaving both of them with memories and a longing that neither fully understands.

Reconnecting in a New Life

Twelve years later, Na Young has grown into Nora, a young writer living in New York City. Hae Sung, meanwhile, is still in South Korea, finishing his studies and completing a long period of service. Thanks to the internet, they reconnect and begin sharing their daily lives again. Their conversations feel easy and natural, filled with laughter and nostalgia. Yet the physical distance and the years apart weigh heavily on them.

Eventually, Nora chooses to end their talks, knowing that their reunion can only remain virtual — meeting in real life feels impossible for now.

A Decisive Reunion

Another twelve years pass, and Nora is now married. Hae Sung decides to visit New York, leading to a reunion that becomes the heart of the film. For one intense week, the three characters share time, conversations, and silence. This reunion isn't about jealousy or rivalry; instead, it's about recognizing how the past and present intertwine.

We witness moments of vulnerability and quiet understanding that reveal the complexity of love and fate. Each character must face who they were, who they have become, and what they truly want.

Love Beyond the Usual Story

Past Lives stands out because it challenges the usual love story. It doesn't end with a dramatic choice or a clear resolution. Instead, it shows love as something layered and evolving — a connection that can exist across time and distance without necessarily leading to a conventional relationship. The film invites us to think about how people from our past shape us, not by controlling our present, but by becoming part of our story in unexpected ways.

Why We Relate to This Story

Most of us have someone from our past who lingers in our memories — a childhood friend, a first crush, or someone we lost touch with. Past Lives taps into this universal feeling. It reminds us that even if life takes us far apart, those connections leave marks that influence who we are. The film's quiet honesty about longing, regret, and acceptance makes it deeply relatable.

A Subtle but Powerful Ending

The film closes with a simple, heartfelt scene where Nora and Hae Sung walk together, sharing a last conversation before parting ways. There is no grand farewell, no sweeping declaration of love — just an understanding that some relationships belong to the past, even if they continue to shape our hearts. This ending reflects life's bittersweet reality: sometimes love means letting go, appreciating the memories, and moving forward.

What Does This Mean for Us, Lykkers?

So, Lykkers, what would happen if someone from your past suddenly appeared today? Would you recognize that connection? Would you feel the same spark or see how much you've changed? Past Lives doesn't answer these questions for us but gives us a space to wonder. It shows that love and life are not always about neat endings but about the many versions of ourselves we carry along the way.

This film invites us to reflect on our own stories — the people who shaped us, the moments that changed us, and the choices that brought us here. So take a moment to think: who are your "past lives," and how do they live within you today? We'd love to hear your thoughts. Let's keep the conversation going.

Past Lives | Official Trailer HD | A24

Video by A24