Who says romance is dead? Whether it’s something quirky, poignant, darkly funny, or even tinged with action or horror, embrace the messiness and beauty of falling in love with these movies.

We Live in Time

In this romantic drama, figure skater-turned-chef Almut (Florence Pugh) and divorced cereal sales representative Tobias (Andrew Garfield) have a surprise encounter that changes both their lives.

The movie unfolds in a non-linear fashion, and we glimpse snapshots of their life together, from their courtship to the birth of their daughter Ella (Grace Delaney). Along the way, Almut is diagnosed with ovarian cancer. While in treatment, she receives an invitation to compete in the prestigious Bocuse d’Or culinary competition in Italy. However, it conflicts with the date that has been set for her and Tobias’ wedding, causing tension between them.

We Live in Time is directed by John Crowley, who collaborated with Garfield early in the actor’s career on Boy A and helmed the Oscar-nominated Brooklyn. This movie includes elements that are familiar to fans of ‘weepies’, or sentimental dramas, including a character having a major illness. However, it transcends those trappings by utilising its stars’ palpable chemistry and talent to its advantage. Pugh and Garfield deliver grounded, understated performances, lending the film a true-to-life authenticity and making it feel resonant and relatable.

The Idea of You

Real person fiction (RPF) is a sometimes controversial genre of fanfiction written about real people, usually celebrities. Harry Styles, formerly of the boyband One Direction, is something of an RPF magnet. The After series of novels, which was adapted into five movies with more on the way, was inspired by Styles. And now, Robinne Lee’s The Idea of You, another story that began life as Harry Styles RPF, is adapted into a movie.

Solène Marchand (Anne Hathaway) is a gallery owner in Los Angeles’ Silver Lake neighbourhood. Solène’s ex-husband Daniel (Reid Scott) buys their teenage daughter Izzy (Ella Rubin) VIP tickets to a Coachella performance by boyband August Moon. When Daniel bails on Izzy because of a business trip, Solène ends up accompanying her to the festival. She meets August Moon frontman Hayes Campbell (Nicholas Galitzine), and an unlikely romance ignites. As things between the pair grow more serious, they must keep their relationship on the down-low as the press hounds Hayes.

Sure, The Idea of You contains Mills & Boon-esque romance fantasy elements, but it is a solidly constructed and acted film that is deeply emotional. The film also features original songs that the cast members playing the August Moon members recorded and released as an album.

The Fall Guy

This movie takes ‘falling for someone’ quite literally: Ryan Gosling stars as Colt Seavers, a veteran stunt performer who quit a year ago after a major injury on the set. Emily Blunt plays Colt’s ex-girlfriend Jody Moreno, a first-time director who is filming the big-budget sci-fi Western Metalstorm in Australia. The movie-within-a-movie’s lead star, Tom Ryder (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) suddenly goes missing, jeopardising the production and Jody’s career. Colt, who formerly doubled for Tom, goes searching for him, uncovering a sinister cover-up in the process.

Based on the ‘80s TV series of the same name, The Fall Guy is a loving tribute to stunt performers — naturally, you can expect plenty of explosive action. It also boasts sparkling chemistry between Gosling and Blunt, and even has a throwback Chicago-esque love ballad called “Waiting for Love” by the film’s composer Dominic Lewis.

Hit Man

Glen Powell is the star of the moment. He’s on a winning streak, having starred in a string of hits, including Top Gun: Maverick, Devotion, Anyone but You, and Twisters. In the romantic comedy Hit Man, he heats up the screen with fellow rising star Adria Arjona. He also co-wrote the film, which is directed by Richard Linklater (they both collaborated on 2016’s Everybody Wants Some!!).

Powell plays Gary Johnson, a professor of psychology and philosophy at the University of New Orleans who provides tech support to the New Orleans Police Department as a side gig. When cop Jasper (Austin Amelio) is suspended, Gary steps in to pose as a hitman and proves to be adept at the job. He crafts various disguises and personas, successfully helping the police apprehend people intent on hiring assassins. When he meets Madison (Arjona), a beautiful woman stuck in an unhappy marriage who orders a hit on her husband, she just might be Gary’s undoing.

Challengers

One of the most talked-about movies of the year, Challengers is directed by provocateur Luca Guadagnino (Call Me by Your Name, Suspiria, Bones and All). Zillennial superstar Zendaya headlines and produces this movie, featuring up-and-comers Mike Faist and Josh O’Connor, about a love triangle — or really, a ‘throuple’ of sorts. Set in the world of professional tennis, Challengers is part sports movie, part romantic drama, and part psychological thriller.

Zendaya plays Tashi Duncan, a former professional tennis player who now coaches her husband, Art Donaldson (Faist). Art is a world-famous Grand Slam champion whose career Tashi has personally shaped. The couple has a young daughter named Lily (AJ Lister). Art faces a career slump due to age and injury, and Tashi enters him in a Challenger event (a low-level tournament on the pro tour) in New Rochelle, New York, hoping to give Art a much-needed boost. Patrick Zweig (O’Connor), Art’s former best friend and Tashi’s ex-boyfriend, is a struggling low-level player who is living out of his car and enters the New Rochelle Challenger as well. The trio share a long, complicated history, with years of tightly lidded tension culminating in a face-off between Art and Patrick on the court.

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