🎬 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑾𝒐𝒓𝒍𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝑪𝒐𝒎𝒆 (2020)

The World to Come (2020), directed by Mona Fastvold, is a historical drama set in the 19th century that explores themes of love, grief, and self-discovery. The film is set in the American frontier, where two women, Abigail and Tallie, form an intimate and profound connection while grappling with the pain of their respective marriages. The story takes place in a harsh, isolated environment where both women experience emotional isolation, but their bond becomes a source of solace and transformation.

Abigail (played by Katherine Waterston) is a stoic and reserved woman who has been living in a distant rural area with her emotionally distant husband, Dyer (Casey Affleck). As Abigail struggles with the loss of her child and the emotional distance between her and her husband, she finds herself drawn to Tallie (Vanessa Kirby), a free-spirited and passionate woman who has also been facing the emotional burden of a strained marriage. Tallie’s presence in Abigail’s life begins to awaken long-hidden emotions, and the two women’s growing attraction for each other becomes a source of both liberation and internal conflict.

The film delves into the complexities of the relationship between Abigail and Tallie, showing how their emotional and physical connection evolves amidst the constraints of their time and place. Their love affair serves as a means of coping with the isolation they face, as well as an exploration of intimacy in a world that offers few outlets for women’s desires. The World to Come examines the intensity of their bond and how it reshapes both women’s understanding of love, loss, and what it means to truly live.

Visually, the film captures the stark beauty of the 19th-century landscape, with the rugged terrain reflecting the emotional landscape of the characters. The cinematography complements the intimate and contemplative tone of the film, enhancing its meditative exploration of grief and longing. The film's pacing is slow and deliberate, allowing the characters' emotional journeys to unfold gradually.

The World to Come is a poignant and thought-provoking film that showcases the transformative power of love and human connection. It offers a sensitive portrayal of the complexities of female friendship, desire, and emotional survival in a time when such relationships were fraught with societal and personal consequences. Through its stunning performances and atmospheric direction, the film brings to life a tender, yet intense, exploration of love in its most complicated and beautiful form.