When he arrives at the house, he is surprised to see his parents - although they are the same age as they were shortly before their accident. A different, very emotional way of coming to terms with the past emerges.

One film, two stories

All of Us Strangers is a special film – that becomes clear relatively quickly. Pointed and melancholic, he tells two stories right from the start. The first is about a young love between two men who quickly realize how they feel for each other. Both quickly confide in each other and both feel safe. Director Andrew Haigh tells the relationship between Adam and Harry so closely and specifically that it has its own, emotional atmosphere.

This is where two lost souls meet. One lost his parents at an early age and suffers from writer's block, while the other initially reveals little about himself and appears particularly vulnerable. Since Adam and Harry appear to be the only two residents of a huge apartment complex, the relationship takes place in its own microcosm. This gives the story of All of Us Strangers its very own, almost indescribable touch. It's not uncommon to feel reminded of moments from Lost In Translation - Between the Worlds.

A special way of coming to terms with the past

The second story in the film revolves almost entirely around Adam and his family. In his parents' house just outside the city, he keeps running into his parents, whom he lost early in his life. All of Us Strangers does not initially answer to what extent these encounters are real, only play in Adam's head or perhaps have completely different causes. For Adam it doesn't seem important at first. He doesn't seem surprised by the encounters; he may have already visited his parents before the action begins.

Much more important than the classification of these visits are the conversations that Adam has with his parents. They always have it all, cleverly commenting on current events from the perspective of 30 years ago and often causing a lump in the audience's throat. The fact that Adam is older than his parents gives the encounters their own unique atmosphere, which in some short moments of melodramatic comedy, but above all of tragedy, is almost unbeatable. These moments are played in a pointed and heartbreaking manner, especially by the parents (Claire Foy and Jamie Bell). All of Us Strangers depicts a special, rarely seen way of coming to terms with the past.

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When two stories collide

The film takes a lot of time telling the two stories. This can lead to one or two lengthy moments, especially in the first hour. But when both threads are woven together in the last half hour, All of Us Strangers really has it all. Then the entire atmosphere and tension that has been built up is released in two highly emotional dialogues, which will probably also bring Paul Mescal and Andrew Scott numerous nominations for the awards season. All of Us Strangers is a special film - this impression quickly becomes clear and is confirmed even after 105 emotionally tragic minutes.