At its core, All of Us Strangers centers on Adam from the Sherlock series, a screenwriter in London grappling with a creative block. Initially, the plot revolves around his struggle to complete a screenplay about his parents. However, as the story unfolds, it delves into deeper themes such as familial bonds, the rediscovery of love, and the dichotomy of belonging and alienation.
The film is also a tribute to the UK, showcasing its unique sense of humor, diverse regional dialects, and rich cultural tapestry. Set against a backdrop of the 1980s, it is replete with nods to the era’s pop culture, with Adam often immersing himself in nostalgic activities like watching classic performances by Frankie Goes to Hollywood and Pet Shop Boys on Top of the Pops, or exploring his collection of vintage vinyl records from bands like Erasure and Wham!
Moreover, All of Us Strangers addresses the evolution of gay life and the significant changes in government policies and societal attitudes since the 1980s. The film tackles these substantial themes with a light touch, integrating them smoothly into everyday experiences and making them relatable.
All of Us Strangers trailer
All of Us Strangers release date
The Everyman Theatre hosted a full-house screening of the film. The QCinema International Film Festival featured the film in three showings on November 19, 20, and 24, 2023. The film started a limited release in the United States on December 22, 2023, and is set to premiere in the United Kingdom on January 26, 2024.
The cast of All of Us Strangers
The main castmembers of All of Us Strangers are listed below.
- Andrew Scott as Adam, known for Fleabag, Sherlock, and His Dark Materials.
- Carter John Grout as young Adam.
- Paul Mescal as Harry, known for Normal People and Aftersun.
- Jamie Bell as Adam’s father, known for Billy Elliot and Rocketman.
- Claire Foy as Adam’s mother, known for The Crown and A Very British Scandal.
- Others
All of Us Strangers at Boxoffice
Here are the box-office details of All of Us Strangers according to The Numbers.
| Metric | Details |
|---|---|
| Domestic Box Office | $232,909 |
| Opening Weekend | $117,965 (50.6% of total) |
| Legs | 1.97 |
| Domestic Share | 100.0% |
| Theater Counts | 4 opening / 6 max theaters |
| Inflation Adjusted Domestic BO | $232,909 |
| Weekly Box Office Performance | $232,909 (as of Dec 22, 2023) |
| Daily Box Office Performance | Varied (Dec 22-28, 2023) |
| International Box Office | $0 (as of listed dates in 2024) |
| Worldwide Cumulative Box Office | $232,909 |
All of Us Strangers| Awards & Nominations
The film has been nominated for several awards and won the Valladolid International Film Festival for Rainbow Spike, Montclair Film Festival for Special Jury Award. It has been nominated in multiple categories at the British Independent Film Awards and won Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best British Independent Film, Best Editing, and Best Cinematography.
More about the film
From the opening scene, we are introduced to Adam in his London apartment, rummaging for food in his fridge filled with leftover takeout, struggling to start his latest screenplay, and hesitantly responding to a practice fire alarm.
This scene paints a picture of Adam as a solitary individual. His deep-seated loneliness and repression become evident with the arrival of Harry (played by Paul Mescal of “Normal People” and “Aftersun”). Harry, intoxicated and seeking companionship, knocks on Adam’s door with Japanese whisky in hand. Despite Adam’s desire to welcome Harry and embrace the potential for more intimate interactions, his inner turmoil leads him to decline. This leaves him to spend a night filled with regret and overthinking about his refusal.
Experience the must-see holiday romance. ALL OF US STRANGERS is NOW PLAYING in select theaters. Directed by Andrew Haigh, starring Andrew Scott and Paul Mescal, with Jamie Bell and Claire Foy. Get tickets now. https://t.co/zulnGyIhh3 #AllofUsStrangers pic.twitter.com/iesuaoSQWC
— All of Us Strangers (@AOUStrangers) December 22, 2023
The film takes a sharp turn, frequently jolting the audience as it shifts settings. We find Adam in the unexpectedly rural Sanderstead, South London, stealthily observing his childhood home. He encounters a striking stranger with a mustache, who turns out to be his father (Jamie Bell of “Billy Elliot” and “Rocketman”), inviting him to meet his mother (Claire Foy from “The Crown” and “A Very British Scandal”). Intriguingly, their world seems stuck in the late 80s, from their attire to the household decor.
As Adam commutes between London and Croydon, the narrative oscillates between his reconnection with his parents in Croydon, revisiting traumatic childhood moments, and the evolving, tender romance with Harry in their modern yet barren London apartment.
Andrew Scott delivers a multi-faceted portrayal as Adam, a man haunted by his past yet yearning for love, a performance that has garnered a Golden Globe nomination and potential Oscar and BAFTA nods. Paul Mescal as Harry brings a sensitive, dynamic presence, subtly conveying depth through minimal gestures. Jamie Bell and Claire Foy bring warmth and authenticity to roles that could easily have been over-sentimental.
Despite the film’s exceptional cinematography, soundtrack, and performances, it struggles to cohere fully. The contrasting narratives — the heartwarming family dynamic and the intense, queer love story in London — seem disconnected. Additionally, the mystery surrounding Adam’s interaction with his deceased parents, unclear whether a figment of his imagination, a supernatural occurrence, or something else, overshadows and complicates the plot. This unresolved mystery leaves the film feeling somewhat incomplete, despite a powerful final scene that nearly redeems the narrative.
All of Us Strangers in news & reviews
According to Hollywoodintoto.com , The final twist might be seen as excessive for some viewers, akin to a Shyamalan-style shift. However, upon closer consideration, it aligns well with the overall narrative and doesn’t significantly change the film’s overarching theme or direction. Instead, it prompts reflection on the narrative’s potential scope and importantly, it enriches the understanding of Harry and Adam’s relationship and future prospects, adding value to the story.
In an interview, Mescal acknowledges, “We just took off before you even had the chance to ask your question! We got sidetracked making jokes about vampires and ‘scary drunk men’ before you could complete your thought. What did you want to ask?”
FAQs
Who is the director of the movie?
All of Us Strangers is directed by Andrew Haigh. Andrew is best known for movies like The North Water, 45 Years, etc.
What is the genre of All of Us Strangers?
The film has been placed in Drama, Fantasy, and Romance genres.
What is the filming location of All of Us Strangers?
Haigh’s childhood home was used as the set for Adam’s parents’ house. Additionally, scenes set in a nightclub were filmed at the Royal Vauxhall Tavern. The film was shot in different parts of the UK.
Wrap Up
All of Us Strangers is a unique story of love and some sort of superpowers for communicating with your deceased loved ones. Adams started seeing and communicating with his parents, who died years ago!
If you like watching movies with a different angle of love and friendship, All of Us Strangers is for you. The movie is now screening in theaters in USA and will hit theaters in the UK in late January. There is no word about All of Us Strangers being released on OTT platforms. We will update this blog with new information.
