by Tim Gordon
What if science could pinpoint your soulmate, but your heart was already spoken for?
That’s the central dilemma at the heart of All of You, a tender and gently speculative romantic drama that blends emotional truth with near-future science fiction. Directed by William Bridges (Black Mirror, Soulmates) and co-written by Brett Goldstein, the film weaves a bittersweet love story around two lifelong best friends who may be perfect for each other if only fate, timing, and technology didn’t get in the way.
Goldstein stars as Simon, who has spent years quietly in love with his best friend, Laura (Imogen Poots). When Laura decides to take a futuristic soulmate test that promises to match anyone with their ideal partner, Simon supports her… even as it shatters his chances of confessing how he really feels. What follows is a narrative told in gently looping snapshots across time, an ambitious structure that gives the film both emotional resonance and a meditative rhythm. With each time jump, we witness the evolution of their relationship: the missed opportunities, the longings left unspoken, the inevitable drift of lives moving in different directions.
Goldstein, in a notable departure from his gruff Ted Lasso persona, Roy Kent, delivers a deeply vulnerable performance. As Simon, he’s all quiet, yearning, and emotional hesitation, the kind of man who hides his heart until it’s nearly too late. His chemistry with Poots anchors the film, imbuing their scenes with a palpable, aching intimacy. Poots is equally compelling, portraying Laura’s emotional evolution with sensitivity and nuance.
Structured with a clever cyclical approach, brief glimpses of their present are followed by fast-forwards into their possible futures. All of You explores how time, distance, and circumstance shape relationships. While the sci-fi premise of algorithmic soulmates adds a modern wrinkle, the story remains grounded in human emotion: regret, hope, and the desire to be seen.
The supporting cast, including Zawe Ashton, Steven Cree, and Jenna Coleman, round out the story without distracting from its emotional core. Bridges’s direction is restrained but effective, allowing the performances and concept to shine without being overwhelmed by visual gimmickry.
If the film falters, it’s in its occasional over-reliance on its narrative conceit. The repeated time jumps sometimes undercut the momentum, and the futuristic premise, while intriguing, might feel underdeveloped to sci-fi purists. Still, All of You stays true to its emotional beats, delivering a touching reflection on longing, friendship, and the people we may never stop loving no matter what the future promises.
Though some moments lean heavily on sentiment, the emotional payoff feels earned. All of You may not rewrite the rules of romance, but it lingers long after, a soft meditation on the people we’re meant to be with—and the versions of ourselves we become when we miss them.
Grade: B
