An atmospheric tale of the haunting reverberance of grief, love and loss. “All of Us Strangers” is a touching exploration of identity, with an emotional intensity that’s juxtaposed against quiet contemplation.
Set against the backdrop of a desolate London tower block, the film follows screenwriter Adam as he grapples with the ghosts of his past and the presence of his neighbour, Harry. As the relationship between these men develops, Adam is pulled into a surreal world where reality and reverie blur, leading him on a journey of acceptance and closure.
From the get-go, “All of Us Strangers” entrances with its atmospheric cinematography and chilling score. Actor Andrew Scott delivers a mesmerising performance as Adam, conveying a loneliness and longing that help create an overall tone of intimacy and introspection. Paul Mescal embodies Harry beautifully, infusing the character with a vulnerability and depth that adds layers to a complex dynamic.
At its core, it’s a story about the search for connection amid isolation. I very much enjoyed the literal and metaphorical narrative devices. The film’s dreamlike essence and hypnotically pensive pacing elicit a thoughtfulness for the film’s themes, one of which is loss. Through a series of surreal encounters, Adam confronts his unresolved feelings about the death of his parents. I found the scenes were beautifully rendered, offering moments of sympathetic woe and catharsis as Adam comes to terms with his past.
The tenderness between the main characters Adam and Harry serves as an emotional anchor, providing a glimmer of hope in the darkness that surrounds them. Their chemistry comes off as authentic, it’s both tender and heartbreaking.
One of the film’s pre-eminent themes is its exploration of queer identity and the impact of societal attitudes on individuals’ sense of self. Through Adam’s journey, the audience catches sight of the lasting effects of homophobic prejudices, highlighting the stories I’m sure many queer or gay individuals can relate to when it comes to finding acceptance and belonging. The narrative decision to have the film partially set in the 1980s adds an additional layer of accessible context for Adam’s experiences, highlighting challenges faced by gay men during that period.
While “All of Us Strangers” is definitely sombre it’s also deeply human, emotionally balanced and teeming with subtleties. I went into it unsure I’d appreciate the melancholic topic, however, the sensitive direction, true-to-life performances and captivating production were eerily beautiful.
