Is Past Lives the year’s best movie (excepting Cocaine Bear?)

If the reaction from Sundance is any indication, yes it is.

Written by Celine Song (Wheel of Time), Past Lives is her directorial debut. The film stars Greta Lee (Russian Doll) as Nora, a happily married woman who nevertheless has not forgotten her first love, Hae Sung (Teo Yoo). She finds out that he is searching for her on social media, and the two reconnect when he comes to New York for a visit from Korea, where the two grew up. Though Nora’s husband encourages her to meet with her former love, when the two childhood sweethearts reconnect it could change all of their lives, forever.

The film, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, has drawn rave reviews. Vox called it “miraculous,” while Vanity Fair praised it for being “a dreamy, gently heartbreaking film” and a “note-perfect directorial debut.”

The cast of Past Lives includes John Magaro as Nora’s husband, Ji Hye Yoon, Choi Won-young, Min Young, and Jonica T. Gibbs. It will be released to theaters later this year, and could be A24’s Oscar contender next year, just as 2022’s Everything Everywhere All At Once racked up scores of awards and nominations this year.

Also on A24’s slate this year are Beau is Afraid (in April), Showing Up, The Iron Claw, and fellow 2023 Sundance premieres All Dirt Roads Taste of Salt, The Deepest Breath, Earth Mama, and You Hurt My Feelings.