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See You Then, Inyeon

Posted in General Comments, Movie Review, Movies, Reviews, tagged Arthur Zaturansky, Best Picture Nomination, Buddhist Concept, Canada, Celine Song, General Comments, Greta Lee, Hae Sung, Highly Recommended Movie, Hollywood, Inyeon, John Magaro, Jung Hae Sung, Karmic Connections, Movie Reviews, New York City, Nora Moon/Moon Na Young, Past Lives (2023) — movie review, Reviews, Seoul - South Korea, Teo Yoo on May 19, 2026| 2 Comments »

“Past Lives” (2023) — movie review
Today’s review is for the Korean semi-romantic drama: “Past Lives”, directed by Celine Song and starring Greta Lee as Nora Moon/Moon Na Young, a Korean‑born playwright now living in New York; Teo Yoo as Jung Hae Sung, her childhood friend from Seoul, still carrying the weight of their early childhood bond; and John Magaro as Arthur Zaturansky (Nora’s American husband), a steady, thoughtful writer trying to understand the emotional gravity between his wife and another man.

Background: I first heard about “Past Lives” a few weeks ago when I noticed it on the list of Best Picture Nominees for 2023. It ended up with two Academy Award nominations (Best Picture and Best Original Screenplay) which is pretty remarkable for a quiet, small‑scale drama with no big set pieces and no “Oscar‑bait” theatrics. It also picked up a ton of festival attention and was widely talked about as one of the best films of the year. Historically, it’s already being viewed as a standout in the “what‑if” / missed‑connection genre — a very realistic, adult look at how childhood bonds, immigration, marriage, and identity can all collide in ways that don’t fit neat Hollywood categories. This was my first viewing. I watched this for free on my library feed and have since purchased streaming rights (as it fell to my price point) for future viewing.

Plot: Nora and Hae Sung were close friends as kids in Seoul — the kind of early bond that feels like it might turn into something more someday. But Nora’s family emigrates to Canada, and the two lose touch. Twelve years later, they reconnect online, talking constantly, but the timing is off: Nora is focused on her writing career, and the long‑distance thing doesn’t make sense. They drift apart again. Another twelve years pass. Nora is now married to Arthur and living in New York City. Hae Sung decides to visit the city, partly as a vacation, partly to see her. The film follows the three of them over a few days — not in a love‑triangle way, but in a very human, very honest way about what it means to grow up, grow apart, and still feel something powerful for someone who represents a version of your life you didn’t choose (or which the universe didn’t choose for you). There’s no melodrama, no big blow‑ups — just three people trying to navigate something complicated with as much grace as they can manage.

So, is this movie any good? How’s the acting? The filming / FX? Any problems? And, did I enjoy the film? Short answers: Yes; excellent across the board; clean, intimate filming; a couple of slow stretches; yes — very much.

Any good? Yes. “Past Lives” is one of those films that sneaks up on you. It’s quiet, but not dull; emotional, but not manipulative. The story feels lived‑in — like something that could actually happen to real people, not movie characters. (But I am a “romantic” who believes in serendipity.) The pacing is deliberate, but it works because the film is about small shifts in emotion and perspective, not big plot twists. IMHO, it earns its reputation as one of the standout films of 2023.

Acting: Greta Lee is terrific — very controlled and internal feeling, but you always feel you know what’s going on under the surface. Teo Yoo brings a kind of gentle steadiness to Hae Sung that makes the whole situation feel believable instead of melodramatic. And John Magaro does a great job with a role that could have easily been written as “the jealous husband,” but instead comes across as thoughtful, self‑aware, and genuinely trying to understand what Nora is feeling. The three of them together make the film work.

Filming / FX: This is a small, realistic film (no FX to speak of ) but the filming is clean and intentional. Lots of long takes, quiet moments, and simple framing that lets the actors carry the weight. New York looks like New York (not the glossy movie version), and the scenes in Seoul feel authentic without being touristy. The final sequence on the street at night is especially well done — understated, but powerful.

Problems: A couple of stretches run a bit slow, especially in the middle when the film is setting up the emotional stakes for the reunion. Nothing drags badly, but if you’re expecting a more traditional romantic arc or big dramatic confrontations, this movie isn’t that. It’s also very quiet — which is a strength, but it means you have to be in the right mood for it.

Did I enjoy the film? Yes — very much. It’s thoughtful, honest, and surprisingly moving. The ending in particular hit harder than I expected. It’s not a “feel‑good” movie, but it’s a very human one, and it sticks with you after it’s over.

Final Recommendation: Highly recommended. “Past Lives” is a beautifully made, emotionally realistic film with excellent performances and a clear sense of purpose. Its Oscar nominations make sense, and I think it’ll hold up well over time. If you like character‑driven stories about relationships, identity, and the paths we take (and don’t take), this is a MUST see. Final Note: This film introduced me to the Buddhist‑rooted concept 인연 (inyeon), which refers to the karmic connections built over countless past lives.

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