All Of Us Strangers

One night in his near-empty tower block in contemporary London, Adam (Andrew Scott) has a chance encounter with a mysterious neighbour Harry (Paul Mescal), which punctures the rhythm of his everyday life. 

As a relationship develops between them, Adam is preoccupied with memories of the past and finds himself drawn back to the suburban town where he grew up, and the childhood home where his parents (Claire Foy and Jamie Bell), appear to be living, just as they were on the day they died, 30 years before

I didn’t cry during All of Us Strangers. Not because Andew Haigh’s film failed to move me, but because it absolutely did. I was scared that if I gave way to the emotion rising inside, I might never stop sobbing. 

In retrospect, this may not have been a wise move. Now, I fear that the feelings I have tried to repress might emerge at any moment. For instance, if I hear Always On My Mind from the Pet Shop Boys or if I begin to recall any of the film’s key scenes.

Andrew Scott is the heart of All of Us Strangers. His portrayal of Adam is raw, nuanced and, in short, completely devastating. He is extremely well supported by Jamie Bell and Claire Foy whose performances are equally stunning. Meanwhile, it will come as no surprise to hear that Paul Mescal is wonderful as Harry – bringing incredible emotional complexity to every minute of his time on screen. 

All of Us Strangers is a powerful and emotional journey through grief and loneliness. It is another intimate and atmospheric film from Haigh (who can do no wrong in my eyes). All of Us Strangers feels both deeply personal and also remarkably universal. It rewards a multitude of interpretations and perspectives.

All of Us Strangers is a story about the power of love, acceptance and connection. Prepare to be haunted for long after the credits roll...

Director: Andrew Haigh

Writer: Andrew Haigh

Cast: Andrew Scott, Paul Mescal, Jamie Bell, Claire Foy

Runtime: 1 hour 45 minutes

Rating: 15