Past Lives only came out in 2023, but it already has the masking of a classic movie people are going to return to and love for years to come. It was one of the most critically-acclaimed movies of the year (it's "Certified Fresh" on Rotten Tomatoes and made WTW's top 10 movies of 2023 list) and was nominated for two Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Original Screenplay by debut filmmaker Celine Song. Perhaps some of that success came from Song taking some inspiration from two all-time classics.
The story of Past Lives focuses on Nora (Greta Lee) and Hae Sung (Teo Yoo). They were childhood friends in South Korea before Nora and her family emigrated to North America. Though they were separated by an ocean, there is a sense of fate, described as In-Yun in the movie, that brings them back together years later in New York, even though Nora is now married to another man, Arthur (John Magaro). Eventually, Past Lives ends with Nora and Hae Sung realizing that despite their bond, their lives have taken them to different places.
