Shadows on the Wall | All of You

All of You

dir William Bridges
scr Brett Goldstein, William Bridges
prd Aaron Ryder, Andrew Swett, William Bridges, Brett Goldstein
with Brett Goldstein, Imogen Poots, Zawe Ashton, Steven Cree, Jenna Coleman, Nadia Albina, Alara-Star Khan, Ieva Andrejevaite, Indi Chowdhury, Eva Magyar, Tariq Rasheed, Nathaniel Christian
release US/UK 26.Mar.25
24/UK Apple 1h38

TORONTO FILM FEST

Is it streaming?

Set in a near-future London, this romance features some light technological twists that add a bit of interest. But the characters and dialog are what makes the film so engaging, as scenes bristle with real-life humour and strong chemistry. This is an unusually well-written love story, directed with edgy energy by William Bridges and beautifully performed by Brett Goldstein and Imogen Poots. So underlying ideas catch the imagination.

Best pals since university, Simon (Goldstein) and Laura (Poots) are nervous about taking a new test that reveals your soul mate, because friends who have taken it have disappeared to their happy ever after. But Laura takes it anyway, matching a strong match with Lukas (Cree). And Laura sets Simon up with her friend Andrea (Ashton). Missing each other, they go on a double date, discussing their separate lives. Laura and Lukas are soon expecting a child, but Simon and Andrea split up. Then when mutual attraction sneaks up on Simon and Laura, everything changes.

Because their long friendship is based on amusingly brutal frankness, the deep connection between Simon and Laura is vivid from the opening scene. So when they start spending less time together, their feelings are easy to understand, sidestepping darker emotions with sparky humour. But they remain there for each other, and over a number of years their connection shifts into new directions that neither of them can predict or control. So they have to make some difficult choices.

Goldstein and Poots beautifully underplay their roles, capturing a relaxed but sharply barbed banter that's underscored by deep affection. Intriguingly, it's understandable that they never dated, but we quickly see that they wonder whether perhaps they should have. Their conversations have a natural give and take, gently rolling through jokes and darker truths while offering subtle hints about feelings neither of them can express. Their longing for each other is magnetic. And very complicated.

While there are inventive digital effects in several scenes, the film leaves these sci-fi flourishes in the background. To Simon, the soul-mate test takes the fun out of life, like knowing what a present is before you unwrap it. While the narrative has a familiar trajectory, the way it is played is unusually involving, depicted with nuances that give the film a blast of unapologetic honesty. It's a clever reminder of how messy things can get if we try to control how we feel. And that it's not easy for anyone.

themes, language, sexuality 26.Sep.25

R E A D E R R E V I E W S

Still waiting for your comments ... don't be shy.