A 2025 romantic fantasy film that attempts to map the geography of human connection.
In short: Directed by Kogonada, this ambitious project follows two strangers guided by a mysterious GPS on a surreal road trip. Through magical doors, they confront past traumas and missed opportunities. Despite its high-concept premise and star-studded cast, the film struggled to find its footing with both critics and audiences alike.
Released in September 2025, A Big Bold Beautiful Journey stars Margot Robbie and Colin Farrell as David and Sarah. The narrative centers on a peculiar car rental service that provides the pair with a vehicle equipped with a GPS that leads them through literal doors into their own memories. These portals allow the characters to revisit pivotal moments, such as Sarah’s grief over her mother’s death and David’s high school stage performance, forcing them to reconcile with their romantic histories and personal regrets.
The film’s aesthetic and thematic DNA draws inspiration from whimsical animated classics and introspective explorations of memory, such as the works of Hayao Miyazaki and Michel Gondry. To underscore this emotional odyssey, the production commissioned a score by Joe Hisaishi—his first for a Western film—and incorporated tracks by artists like Laufey and Mitski. Despite these artistic choices, the film faced significant challenges, including a disappointing box office performance that saw it gross $20.2 million against a $45 million budget.
Critical reception was largely mixed. Reviewers often described the film as overly earnest and struggling to balance its fantastical elements with its heavy emotional themes. On Rotten Tomatoes, it holds a 37% approval rating, with many critics pointing to a lack of cohesion in its storytelling. Additionally, the film drew negative attention for its overt product placement, which some viewers found distracting. Ultimately, while the film aimed for a grand, sweeping narrative about the nature of soulmates and the brevity of life, it failed to resonate as intended with its audience.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: A Big Bold Beautiful Journey
- Also: Wikidata — A Big Bold Beautiful Journey · CC0
- Also: Wikidata — A Big Bold Beautiful Journey · CC0
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