167. I LOVE YOU FOREVER (2025) dir. Cazzie David & Elisa Kalani

I LOVE YOU FOREVER is an anti-romcom. I don't say this in a way that suggests a cheeky, defiant stance against Valentine's Day. I say this because it weaponizes romcom tropes against us in its telling of an abusive relationship.You can track the trajectory: lonely 20-something girl (Sofia Black D'Elia) meets accomplished 20-something guy (Ray Nicholson). He's thoughtful, attentive, hygienic. (Men, we can actually trip on the bar, it's so low.) They banter. They date. They kiss. They're an item.But after this point? The tide changes. Guy calls girl every minute. Guy insinuates girl's cheating when she goes out with friends. Guy threatens self-harm at the slightest inconvenience. Girl blames herself, because obviously, if she hasn't had good romantic luck up until this point, she must be the problem. Girl loves guy even harder. Guy relays his therapist's message that girl's no good. Rinse and fucking repeat.This is a caustic, frustrating watch with a good helping of dark humor sprinkled throughout. I like D'Elia and Nicholson's committed, tailored performances. I like the panicked, energetic camera work. But I'm not gonna say this movie's gonna hit for everyone. It's too messy, too entrenched in a pained point of view. However, the people for whom which this movie clicks are gonna grip onto it like a bear trap. Simply put, I know people who've gone through this. They're gonna get it. They're gonna latch on.I LOVE YOU FOREVER is available to watch in select theaters and via digital rental services (Apple TV, Fandango At Home).---Follow The Movies on ⁠⁠Instagram ⁠⁠& ⁠⁠Letterboxd⁠⁠Financially support the podcast via the ⁠⁠tip jar!