Where to Stream We Live in Time – Starring Andrew Garfield & Florence Pugh

We Live in Time is a 2024 romantic drama directed by John Crowley, known for his work on Brooklyn (2015), with a screenplay by Nick Payne. The film stars two of Hollywood’s most sought-after talents, Andrew Garfield and Florence Pugh, and tells a deeply moving story about love, loss, and time. Set against the backdrop of everyday life, We Live in Time follows a couple, Tobias (Garfield) and Almut (Pugh), over the span of a decade, exploring their relationship in a non-linear format. The film is a co-production between the UK and France, distributed by StudioCanal, and made its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival in September 2024.

Plot Overview

We Live in Time centers around Tobias, a Weetabix representative dealing with the fallout from his recent divorce, and Almut, a former figure skater turned chef, as their lives become unexpectedly intertwined. The film opens with a chaotic encounter, when Tobias is hit by Almut’s car, setting the stage for their relationship, which develops into an exploration of love, family, and the impermanence of life.

Told through a non-linear narrative, the film jumps between various stages of their relationship—beginning from their quirky meet-cute, blossoming romance, and Tobias’s yearning for children, to the more somber moments of Almut’s battle with cancer. Throughout, the film deftly intertwines moments of tenderness and tragedy, using this fragmented structure to gradually reveal their story.

As Tobias and Almut’s relationship deepens, the couple faces several life-altering decisions, including Almut’s decision to continue chemotherapy after her cancer diagnosis and their attempts to start a family despite the odds. Their love story is complicated by the reality of mortality, but their commitment to each other remains a driving force.

The birth of their daughter, Ella, brings a new layer of hope, but Almut’s health continues to deteriorate. The film climaxes with Almut competing in the prestigious Bocuse d’Or cooking competition while grappling with her illness. Despite the personal cost, she chooses to leave a legacy of culinary excellence for her daughter, ensuring that even in the face of death, her presence will endure through her work.

Cast and Performances

Andrew Garfield and Florence Pugh deliver emotionally resonant performances, elevating the film's intimate exploration of love and loss. Garfield’s portrayal of Tobias, a man grappling with the weight of his partner’s illness, captures the vulnerability and quiet resilience of someone watching the person they love slowly slip away. His chemistry with Pugh is electric, helping the audience feel the emotional stakes of their relationship.

Florence Pugh’s performance as Almut is both grounded and powerful. She skillfully balances Almut’s complexities—her determination to leave her mark as a chef, her resistance to traditional family life, and her eventual embrace of motherhood. Pugh portrays Almut as both fiercely independent and heartbreakingly vulnerable, a woman trying to reconcile her ambitions with her declining health. Her ability to convey strength and fragility in equal measure is one of the highlights of the film.

The supporting cast, including Adam James as Simon, Almut’s fellow chef and confidant, and young actress Grace Delaney as their daughter Ella, add depth to the story, enriching the emotional journey that We Live in Time offers.

Themes and Direction

At its heart, We Live in Time is a film about the fragility of life and the choices we make in the face of mortality. It touches on themes of love, legacy, and the passage of time, asking what it means to truly live when the future is uncertain. By using a non-linear format, director John Crowley invites the audience to piece together the fragments of Tobias and Almut’s life, creating a deeper emotional connection to their journey. This structure allows the viewer to see how each moment of their relationship—whether joyous or tragic—shapes their bond over time.

The film’s title, We Live in Time, reflects its central message: that time, with all its unpredictability, is both a gift and a burden. Almut’s determination to live fully, even in the shadow of illness, becomes a powerful metaphor for embracing life despite the inevitable hardships. Her pursuit of excellence in her career, even when faced with impossible odds, resonates as a reminder that creating a legacy is often about how we choose to live in the moment.

Visuals and Cinematography

Cinematographer Stuart Bentley captures the quiet beauty of everyday moments, from the stillness of Tobias and Almut’s countryside home to the bustling energy of her restaurant kitchen. The film’s visual style is intimate, with close-up shots that focus on the emotions of the characters, giving the audience a sense of being close to their world. The use of natural light and muted color tones reinforces the film’s themes of life, death, and time passing, while the nonlinear timeline is visually marked by shifts in lighting and mood.

Music and Soundtrack

Bryce Dessner, known for his work with The National and his collaborations with film composers, provides a haunting score that perfectly complements the emotional landscape of the film. The music swells at key moments, heightening the sense of loss and longing that pervades the story. Subtle and understated, the soundtrack enhances the film’s quieter moments, allowing the emotional weight of the scenes to fully resonate.

Reception and Critical Response

We Live in Time premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival to generally favorable reviews. Critics praised the chemistry between Garfield and Pugh, noting that their performances anchor the film’s emotional complexity. Reviewers have also highlighted the film’s nonlinear structure, with some lauding its ability to explore the depths of grief and love, while others found the structure a bit disorienting.

On Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds a 79% approval rating, with critics agreeing that the film “snatches your heart before breaking it.” The performances of the leads, especially Pugh, were often singled out for their nuance and authenticity, while the film’s exploration of time and memory was noted for its emotional depth.

We Live in Time is a poignant and reflective film that delves into the complexities of life, love, and the inevitability of loss. With its nonlinear narrative, powerful performances from Andrew Garfield and Florence Pugh, and thought-provoking themes, the film serves as a meditation on the fragility of existence. John Crowley’s sensitive direction and Nick Payne’s emotionally rich script make We Live in Time a powerful cinematic experience that will resonate with audiences long after the credits roll.

As it continues to make its way through film festivals and international releases, We Live in Time is poised to be a standout in the 2024 film landscape, offering a touching exploration of life’s most profound moments.