A sad and thought-provoking film about loneliness and non-acceptance. All of Us Strangers is, in essence, a portrait of a man (Adam, played by Andrew Scott) who has moved to London from the suburbs, and in so doing has left his family and known life behind.
The narrative is bolstered by two main themes; the protagonist’s loneliness spurring him to revisit his late parents at home in the suburbs, and meeting a love interest (the odd, and socially-forward Harry, played by Paul Mescal) in his expansive, largely uninhabited tower block. Adam is also gay, something his parents were unaware of.
Andrew Haigh’s direction is sympathetic, observant and understanding. He uses the film as a vehicle to explore differing British attitudes to sexuality, whilst taking a neutral and informed view of why those from differing backgrounds and societies think like they do. Scott and Mescal realise this vision through fantastic, emotionally astute performances that exemplify the varying nuances of trauma.
The supporting cast; namely, Adam’s parents (played by Claire Foy and Jamie Bell), are as played as excellently and compilexially as the main characters.
The film is photographed and edited quite expertly; its city versus suburbs in conflicting grays and browns, and occasional spikes of cinematographic flair. There are scenes in this film that manipulate the mind of the characters into searing and genuinely horrific visuals.
All of Us Strangers is drama for the modern age, reflective of its life and times. Its themes of sadness and isolation are handled deftly and artfully, part of the human condition being captured in the process.
2023, Andrew Haigh
8.0
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