Shakespeare knew that few things stir the heart like the tragedy of star-crossed lovers. It’s a concept director and writer Will Bridges, along with co-writer Brett Goldstein, explore deeply in All of You—with a twist. Set in the near future, the film centers on Simon (played by Goldstein) and Laura (Imogen Poots), lifelong best friends who are clearly in love but too afraid to confess their true feelings. In this world, technology has evolved to the point where scientists have created a test to find your perfect soulmate. Hoping to make Laura happy, Simon secretly pays for her to take the test.
The results? Laura is matched with Lucas (Steven Cree), whom she marries and eventually starts a family with. Heartbroken, Simon stays in her life, always there when she needs him the most, even as he attempts to move on with her friend, Andrea (Zawe Ashton). Despite their best efforts to stay away from each other, Simon and Laura eventually succumb to their feelings and begin a passionate affair.
While the sci-fi element adds a unique touch, the story is rooted in familiar romantic drama territory. What sets it apart is the quality of its writing and the powerful performances. Goldstein’s portrayal of Simon’s longing is so intense and real that it’s almost painful to watch. The chemistry between him and Poots is electric; every glance and touch brims with unspoken desire. Their love scenes are genuinely sexy, making the tension even more palpable because of the forbidden nature of their relationship.
Goldstein, known for his sharp wit and gruff exterior on Ted Lasso, brings a raw vulnerability to Simon that highlights his struggle. He’s a man hopelessly in love with someone who is just out of reach, and the intensity of his emotions—his love, his despair, his need—is gut-wrenching. Poots matches him every step of the way, delivering a performance that captures the complexity of loving two good men in completely different ways.
Visually, Bridges contrasts their time together in sunlit, peaceful settings with the cold, gritty cityscapes when they are apart, reinforcing the theme of how fleeting and fragile their moments of happiness are. The movie focuses on these quiet, stolen interactions, creating a sense of intimacy that draws you in. Goldstein’s talent for balancing humor with heartbreak brings a bittersweet authenticity to the dialogue, making the characters and their love feel very real.
Watching All of You is like taking a rollercoaster ride of emotions—it’s thrilling, gutting, and somehow leaves you wanting more. It’s not a flashy story full of dramatic twists; instead, it digs into the simple yet messy reality of love and human connection. What makes it stand out is its honest portrayal of love as something built on choices rather than the notion of a perfect, predestined match. Simon and Laura’s decisions, both big and small, are what make their love so painfully complicated and filled with regret.
But the film doesn’t offer easy answers or tidy resolutions. Instead, it invites us to sit with the bittersweet reality that sometimes, love just hurts—and that’s okay. All of You is a heartbreakingly beautiful reminder that love stories don’t always end with “happily ever after.” Sometimes, they just leave a bruise that aches long after the credits roll.
