Some films linger in your mind long after the credits roll, and John Crowley’s We Live in Time is one of them — a poignant exploration of love, ambition, and the fragility of life. 

While the premise might seem familiar, the story unfolds in unexpected ways — spoilers ahead! Girl meets boy — in this case, it’s more, girl hits boy with her car — girl and boy fall in love, girl gets cancer, girl and boy struggle with her diagnosis, and ultimately, girl dies. And yet, it’s different, offering a fresh take on themes we’ve seen before.

Starring Florence Pugh as Almut, a highly-skilled Bavarian fusion chef, and Andrew Garfield as Tobias, an employee at Weetabix, the film paints a deeply moving portrait of two individuals grappling with life’s toughest challenges, striving to hold onto each other amidst the inevitability of loss.

The narrative unfolds in layers, seamlessly shifting between past and present. The warm, golden hues of their blossoming romance sharply contrast with the cooler tones of a life overshadowed by fear and mortality. These visual choices highlight the evolution of their relationship, with the warmth of their love standing out against the growing chill of impending loss. 

We watch Almut and Tobias fall in love, fully aware that her terminal illness will soon test this love. This dual timeline — where love flourishes amidst grief — adds depth to the story, making it all the more powerful, while the film’s structure intensifies the heartbreak, making each moment feel both fleeting and eternal. The pacing mirrors this tension; quiet, intimate scenes allow their connection to feel authentic, while faster-paced moments emphasize the urgency of time and the pressure shaping their journey.

The weight of love

What sets We Live in Time apart is its focus not only on Almut’s illness but also on her life and relationships. From the beginning, Almut and Tobais’ connection feels genuine. As Tobias, Andrew Garfield bears an endearing lover-boy charm, romanticism and vulnerability. His heartfelt dialogue — “Because I’m worried there’s a very distinct and real possibility that I am about to fall in love with you” — perfectly captures his sincerity and the aching vulnerability beneath it. When Almut begins hiding the truth of her decision to participate in the cooking competition from him, I ached for Tobias, wanting to shout, “He loves you! Just tell him!” Garfield’s performance masterfully conveys love, pain, and quiet desperation, making the emotional tension tangible. The film doesn’t shy away from the complexity of their relationship, making it feel more authentic and impactful. 

Beyond a typical “cancer movie”

One of the film’s central themes is the challenge of loving someone when you know you may lose them. While Tobias yearns for Almut to stay and hold on, he also wants her to live life on her own terms. We avoid the typical tropes of hospital beds and medical scenes, and instead, we see Almut at her most vibrant — immersed in her passion for cooking and even competing in international culinary competitions. Yet, there are moments in the challenge when she pauses and pain enters, reminding us of her reality. These scenes highlight the juxtaposition between her desires and the shadow of her condition, offering glimpses of the future she’s fighting so hard to preserve.

Knowing her fate, I thought I’d be immune to the tears. Yet, as the movie unfolded, I found myself sobbing — not just at her loss, but at her ambitions, fears, and the person she so desperately wanted to be remembered as.

A heartbreaking conclusion

In the film’s emotional climax, after her culinary competition, Almut takes her family to an ice skating rink. We learn earlier in the film that she was once a competitive skater, so her final moments gliding on the ice, with a look of peace on her face, are both symbolic and haunting. 

The film doesn’t show her death directly; instead, we are left with the void she leaves behind — a stark contrast to her warmth. Sitting in the theatre, it took me a minute to process. The suddenness of it felt overwhelming, leaving me with a quiet sense of loss.  

As the credits began to roll, something about the film felt rushed, ending unsettlingly abruptly. In many ways, this mirrored Almut’s story — her time, like ours, is fleeting, and the film captures that sense of urgency. In attempting to portray the finality of her life, the narrative hurries toward its conclusion, leaving us grasping for more — more time, resolution, and closure.

And yet, despite being deeply moved, I couldn’t shake the feeling that the music and some of the more melodramatic scenes slightly manipulated me. Earlier, when Tobias and Almut argued about having children, the moment lost some of its emotional weight because the outcome was already clear to us. Framed by what we knew about her fate by the end of the film, the scene felt more contrived than heartfelt. Nonetheless, the film remains effective, offering a poignant portrayal of love, loss, and the courage to live fully, even amidst tragedy.

Final thoughts

We Live in Time reminds us of the beauty of life, even in the face of death. It’s a heart-wrenching portrayal of two lives intertwined, and its emotional impact lingers long after the credits roll, echoing the delicate balance between love and life. Pugh and Garfield bring humanity to their characters, while Crowley’s direction — coupled with subtle choices in lighting and pacing — pulls us into their world. It makes us ache for their happiness, mourn their losses, and ultimately reflect on what it truly means to live.