Despite his on-screen career only spanning the last couple of years, it’s clear that Paul Mescal has a penchant for playing some pretty melancholy guys. From Normal People’s chain-wearing, guilt-ridden Connell to the depressive single dad he embodies in A24’s Aftersun, the Irish actor has more than proven his sadboi acting chops. Now he’ll bring those honed skills to a new movie called All of Us Strangers from queer British director Andrew Haigh, alongside Fleabag star Andrew Scott. The film is based on a 1987 novel of the same name by Taichi Yamada, a Japanese screenwriter and novelist.
So what is this movie going to be about? Who else is going to be in it? And for god’s sake, are we going to get to see some steamy gay sex? Here’s what we know so far.
What’s the plot of All of Us Strangers?
The film will focus on Adam (Andrew Scott) a screenwriter living in contemporary London. One fateful night in his near-empty apartment building, he has a chance encounter with Paul Mescal’s character, Harry. The pair grow close, but Adam finds himself pulled back to his childhood home with the discovery that his parents — who died over 30 years ago — are alive, still in their youth, and living inside it.
Who’s in the cast? And who’s behind the camera?
Alongside Andrew and Paul, Claire Foy and Jamie Bell play Adam’s long-lost mother and father. The entire film is a four-hander.
Andrew Haigh’s previous films include Weekend, 45 Years and Lean on Pete. Jamie Ramsay, who previously shot Living, Moffie and See How They Run, is the film’s cinematographer. Living and All of Us Strangers also share a composer: Emilie Levienaise-Farrouch.
What are the reviews like for All of Us Strangers?
The film had its world premiere at Telluride Film Festival, where we got our first round of critics responses. Currently sitting at 94% on Rotten Tomatoes, The Wrap called it “a sublime masterpiece”, with Awards Watch echoing that sentiment, calling it “a timeless masterpiece and one of the best films of the year”. The Hollywood Reporter perhaps put it best, though: “Prepare to be wrecked,” their critic said.
Is there a trailer for All of Us Strangers?
Yes, the trailer for the film was released in September 2023.
When is the release date?
All of Us Strangers will be released in the US on 22 December 2023. It will be released in the UK on 26 January 2024.