Articulating how mesmerizing Andrew Haigh’s “All of Us Strangers” is can be a challenge. The film captures how essential connection to people is through its cinematography, lighting, small details in wardrobe, soundtrack and, lastly, the chemistry between leading stars Andrew Scott and Paul Mescal. Scott plays Adam, a screenwriter grieving the loss of his parents while Mescal plays Harry, a younger man shrouded in mystery who takes an interest in Adam.
The story takes place in London, with Adam living in an expansive yet desolate apartment complex, while Harry lives a few floors beneath him. They meet when Harry drunkenly goes to Adam’s apartment and makes some advances on him. Their relationship blossoms, becoming a main story we follow.
The other main thread of the film is Adam’s frequent visits to his childhood home, despite him being well in his forties. He reminisces on pictures from that time in his life, looking fondly at the house and himself as a young boy. Jamie Bell and Claire Foy play his mom and dad, but when we first meet their characters it’s not clear who they are. This theme of not knowing what’s real and what’s not in Adam’s life is unsettling, but intriguing. It keeps viewers grasping at ideas of what could be going on inside Adam’s head. This aspect drives his character as he uncovers emotional turmoil from his adolescence to adulthood.
There were many endearing and poignant moments throughout the film. There were discussions, whether they were open or not, about queerness and queer identity in different contexts, like present-day versus back in the eighties. Adam grapples with the idea of coming out to his parents and the repercussions of their reactions. Because of this, Adam and Harry bond over their disconnection with their families due to their queer identities. As the film progresses, there are times when Harry begins to detach from Adam. In some of the most vivid scenes, which were set in a club, the lights, music, dancing and drugs would seep together and steadily create a decline in Adam’s mental state.
Scott’s performance in this is beyond wonderful. He plays a broken and hopeful character with such passion and care. I truly felt for Adam throughout this film because he longed for connection as he was navigating his adulthood. Mescal also gives a fantastic performance, acting as a crutch to Adam while also being his own person with just as complex a backstory. Their relationship comes to life on the screen, making the rawness in their intimacy feel genuine. The soundtrack also enhances pivotal moments in their time together, with standouts like “The Power of Love” by Frankie Goes to Hollywood. This is the last song of the film that plays during the outro. It leaves you in your seat, replaying every fragment of what happened — or what didn’t happen — in your head for minutes. I had a gutted feeling in my whole body once the screen went black. It is a moving and beautiful film that holds so much depth and power about loss, life and memories all entangled with being a queer person. I was a changed person after setting foot outside of that theater. If you want to watch a crushing movie about grief, love and everything in between, you should go see “All of Us Strangers.” Scott and Mescal shine so brightly in this. Scott especially deserves all the praise for his role.
