A screenwriter drawn back to his childhood home enters into a fledgling relationship with a mysterious neighbor as he then discovers his parents appear to be living just as they were on the day they died, 30 years before.

‘All of Us Strangers’, Andrew Haigh’s latest movie, is a wonderfully moving ghost story about a lonely London screenwriter who reconnects with his parents, many years after their death in a car accident. It stars Andrew Scott as screenwriter Adam, who we first meet as he is attempting to write a script about his childhood. He has just moved into a new apartment block that appears to be empty besides him and another man, Harry (Paul Mescal), who he turns down when he drunkenly knocks on his door one night. This sets the scene for a movie that will explore grief, romance and regrets through an emotionally powerful and at times overwhelming narrative that had me gripped from start to finish, underpinned by some brilliantly chosen musical choices.

Shortly after his encounter with Harry, Adam visits his childhood home seeking inspiration, only to be surprised when he discovers his parents there, frozen in time at the age they were when they died. This sparks off a series of visits and conversations where Adam and his parents get to know one another, and share memories that were lost forever when they died. Alongside this, Adam starts to spend more time with Harry, bonding over their difficult pasts and potentially giving Adam the chance at finding the love and romance that has eluded him to this point.

It is a movie that makes you consider the ‘what ifs’ in life, as Adam is directly confronted with the relationship and journey with his parents that he could have had, had their lives not been so tragically cut short. The acting is mesmerising from all four of the main cast members, with Jamie Bell and Claire Foy as Adam’s parents, and Mescal as Harry all great, but it is Andrew Scott who shines brightest in a performance that will break your heart. At many points it is a challenge not to shed a tear, such is the strength of emotion in the performances on display here.

‘All of Us Strangers’ is a brilliant, deeply human movie that uses its fantastical setting to explore the conversations that never were and the bonds that never had a chance to form, and how the knowledge of that can impact on an entire life. It is Andrew Haigh’s best movie to date, and a wonderful showcase for four terrific acting performances.

Rating: 4/5

Directed By: Andrew Haigh

Starring: Andrew Scott, Paul Mescal, Claire Foy and Jamie Bell

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt21192142/