The World to Come

The World to Come

In 1856, two women forge a close connection despite their isolation on the American frontier.

  • Released: 2021-02-12
  • Runtime: 105 minutes
  • Genre: Drama, Romance, Western
  • Stars: Katherine Waterston, Casey Affleck, Vanessa Kirby, Christopher Abbott, Kim Ciobanu, Daniel Blumberg, Andreea Vasile, James Longshore
  • Director: Mona Fastvold
 Comments
  • Shahid_H_raja - 4 May 2023
    Stunning and Poignant
    I saw many films dealing with the topic of lesbianism during the Lesbian Visibility Week which was celebrated from 24th to 30th April ,2023. And if have to pick the best three movies in this genre, I would rate the "The World to Come" as one of the three best movies(others being "Ammonite", and of course "Blue is the Warmest colour")

    The World to Come" is a visually stunning and emotionally poignant film that will take you on a journey of love, loss, and self-discovery. Set in the harsh and rugged landscape of 1850s upstate New York, the film follows two neighbouring couples as they navigate the challenges of their daily lives and the complexities of their relationships.

    The film's main characters, Abigail (Katherine Waterston) and Tallie (Vanessa Kirby), meet by chance while working in their gardens and quickly develop a deep connection that evolves into a forbidden love affair. The chemistry between Waterston and Kirby is palpable, and their performances are both nuanced and powerful. The moments when Abigail and Tallie first start to realize their feelings for each other are filled with subtle but charged dialogue.

    Abigail: "I don't know what it is about you. I just feel different when you're around." Tallie: "Maybe it's because I don't belong here. Maybe you don't either."

    As their relationship deepens, the two women share intimate moments of tenderness and vulnerability, expressed through both touch and dialogue.

    Tallie: "Sometimes I feel like I'm drowning. But then I see you, and I can breathe again." Abigail: "I've never felt this way before. It's like a fever that won't break."

    However, their love is not without its challenges, including the disapproval of their husbands and the strict social norms of the time. The film deftly explores these themes without feeling heavy-handed or preachy, and the conflict that arises feels both organic and inevitable.

    One of the strengths of "The World to Come" is its ability to capture the harsh beauty of the film's setting, emphasizing the isolation and loneliness of the characters. The cinematography is stunning, with sweeping shots of the rugged landscape and intimate close-ups of the characters that highlight their inner struggles.

    The tension between the four characters is palpable, and their interactions are often fraught with subtext and unspoken emotions.
  • AngelHonesty - 3 July 2022
    Slow, simple and down right depressing
    Simply put, beautiful cast, very simple story that comes down to a depressing ending. The dialogue is very proper for its day, which makes it annoying to listen to. The story moves along very slowly and is almost too simple. The main actresses are beautiful and its enjoyable to watch lesbian romance slowly bloom. But unfortunately instead of "Love conquers all", we are left with a terrible ending that leaves the viewer in a depressing mood afterwords.... Its frustrating that normal romance films with guy and girl always get a happy ending, but as soon as it becomes a lesbian film those rules go flying out the window.
  • traceytak - 6 March 2022
    Always a bad sign when the beginning focuses on trees way too long
    The droning voice, the hardship of living near lots of wood and not knowing how to make a fire, the hardship of having a cow, milking it but not knowing how to make butter for that solitary hot potato you are having for dinner, yet you have no problem killing the pig. Am excuse for a lesbian film, not real history or intelligent survival. Amazing they are struggling so much yet the make up and manicured hair is perfect. Another paint drying film.
  • Xstal - 27 October 2021
    Portrait of Two Women Extinguished...
    Against the warmest 19th century colour, when being yourself was forbidden, a relationship begins but is thwarted, with fossil control and dominance reinstated. Two great performances from Katherine Waterstone and Vanessa Kirby amplified through the acute and sensitive direction of Mona Fastvold.