The World to Come

Movie Trailer

Release Date
February 12, 2021

Genre
Drama, Romance

Cast & Crew

• Katherine Waterston as Abigail
• Vanessa Kirby as Tallie
• Casey Affleck as Dyer
• Christopher Abbott as Finney

Director
Mona Fastvold

Other Movies Director is Known For

• The Sleepwalker (2014)
• Co-writer of The Childhood of a Leader (2015)

Producer
Casey Affleck, Whitaker Lader, Pamela Koffler, David Hinojosa

Writer
Ron Hansen, Jim Shepard (based on the short story by Jim Shepard)

Budget
$5 million

Production Company
Killer Films, Sea Change Media

Running Time
105 minutes

Languages
English

Maturity Rating
R (for some sexuality and nudity)

Content Advisory

• Sexual content
• Nudity
• Emotional themes
• Mild language

Movie Story
The World to Come is set in the bleak, wintry landscape of the mid-19th century American frontier and tells the poignant story of two women, Abigail (Katherine Waterston) and Tallie (Vanessa Kirby), who form an intense bond that transcends the isolating hardships of their lives. Abigail is a farmer’s wife, living with her stoic husband, Dyer (Casey Affleck), in a remote and harsh environment. The couple is still reeling from the loss of their young daughter, which has cast a pall over their lives and their marriage.

Into this isolated existence enters Tallie, a vibrant and free-spirited woman who moves into a nearby farm with her controlling and possessive husband, Finney (Christopher Abbott). Tallie’s arrival breathes new life into Abigail, who finds herself drawn to Tallie’s strength and independence. As the two women spend more time together, their friendship deepens into a passionate romance that provides them both with a much-needed escape from their oppressive realities.

However, the world around them is unforgiving, and the constraints of their environment, both physical and societal, begin to close in on them. The film explores themes of love, loss, and the crushing weight of isolation, as Abigail and Tallie struggle to find a place for their relationship in a world that offers them no room for it. The World to Come is a quiet, introspective film that examines the inner lives of its characters with sensitivity and depth, capturing the emotional complexity of their forbidden love.

Special Effects
The film relies heavily on its natural setting and atmosphere to convey the harshness and beauty of the frontier. The special effects are minimal, focusing instead on the cinematography, which beautifully captures the bleak, cold landscape that mirrors the emotional landscape of the characters. The use of lighting and weather plays a crucial role in setting the tone, with the ever-present snow and muted color palette enhancing the sense of isolation and desolation.

Box Office Performance
The World to Come had a limited theatrical release, followed by digital streaming availability. It grossed approximately $600,000 worldwide, reflecting its status as an indie film with a niche audience. The film received critical acclaim for its performances and direction, particularly the chemistry between Katherine Waterston and Vanessa Kirby.

Filming Locations

• Romania
• Upstate New York, USA

Notable Quotes

• “I have become my grief. I have become my loss.” – Abigail
• “We shall have spring again soon, dear Tallie.” – Abigail
• “What is, is not always what must be.” – Tallie

Behind-the-Scenes

• The film was shot in Romania and upstate New York to capture the remote, desolate feel of the American frontier.
• Katherine Waterston and Vanessa Kirby prepared extensively for their roles, including working with a dialect coach to perfect the 19th-century American accent and immersing themselves in the historical period.
• The film’s screenplay was adapted from a short story by Jim Shepard, who also co-wrote the script.

Awards

• Venice Film Festival: Won Queer Lion Award (Mona Fastvold)
• International Cinephile Society Awards: Nominated for Best Actress (Vanessa Kirby)
• Sundance Film Festival: Nominated for Grand Jury Prize – Dramatic

Final Verdict
The World to Come is a hauntingly beautiful film that explores the depths of human connection in the face of overwhelming isolation. With stellar performances from Katherine Waterston and Vanessa Kirby, the film is a slow-burning but deeply affecting portrayal of forbidden love in a time and place where it was dangerous to defy societal norms. It’s a film that lingers long after the credits roll, offering a profound meditation on love, loss, and the search for meaning in a harsh and unforgiving world.

IMDb Rating
6.3/10