When memory becomes a map

In A Big Bold Beautiful Journey, director Kogonada transforms a simple road trip into a poetic meditation on fate and forgiveness. What begins as a chance meeting at a wedding between Sarah (Margot Robbie) and David (Colin Farrell) soon unfolds into a magical journey through their pasts — a chance to relive defining moments and, perhaps, change the future.

The film invites viewers to imagine what might happen if an ordinary GPS could guide us not only through streets and highways, but through our regrets, our choices, and the moments we wish we could revisit.

That’s the haunting premise of Kogonada’s latest work — a film that blends the introspective tone of After Yang with the emotional depth of Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.

The stars behind the story

Margot Robbie brings her signature blend of vulnerability and power to Sarah — a woman caught between what she’s lost and what she’s afraid to feel again. Colin Farrell, meanwhile, embodies David with quiet intensity, making him both charming and haunted. Together, they form an on-screen chemistry that feels timeless, echoing the nostalgic warmth of classic romantic dramas while exploring modern themes of emotional disconnection and self-redemption.

Around them, a dreamlike supporting cast enriches the journey.

• Kevin Kline plays “The Mechanic,” a mysterious figure who may hold more wisdom than he lets on.

• Phoebe Waller-Bridge adds humor and humanity as a female cashier whose brief encounter with David carries surprising weight.

• Jodie Turner-Smith voices the car’s GPS — not just as a navigational tool, but as the voice of intuition, memory, and sometimes fate itself.

• Lily Rabe and Billy Magnussen round out the emotional landscape as Sarah’s mother and the enigmatic “Man,” who appear at key turning points that blur dream and reality.

Each role, no matter how small, contributes to the film’s emotional architecture — moments of connection that feel like fragments of life itself.

Kogonada’s poetic vision

Kogonada once described filmmaking as “editing the soul,” and A Big Bold Beautiful Journey feels exactly that — a quiet, reflective dissection of the human heart. His signature minimalist cinematography returns here: still shots, slow fades, natural light, and quiet soundscapes that make the audience feel the passage of time.

The score, composed by Joe Hisaishi, amplifies that feeling with delicate piano motifs and swelling strings. Each note seems to breathe with the characters — echoing both the melancholy of what’s lost and the fragile hope of starting again.

This isn’t a story that races toward resolution. It meanders, reflects, and lingers — much like life itself. The magic realism elements never overpower the emotional truth; instead, they frame it beautifully, reminding us that love and regret often live in the same space.

Why it matters

In a cinematic landscape full of sequels and spectacle, A Big Bold Beautiful Journey stands out for its emotional honesty. It’s not about saving the world, but about saving yourself.
The film’s romantic-fantasy tone makes it perfect for audiences who loved Her, About Time, or Past Lives. It’s introspective yet universal — a story that asks: If you could relive your past, would you change it?

As Sarah and David drive through shifting realities, viewers are reminded that every detour, every heartbreak, every “wrong turn” might have been leading them to exactly where they were meant to be.

Cast and characters

Final thoughts

A Big Bold Beautiful Journey isn’t just another romantic drama — it’s an emotional mirror. It asks viewers to confront the choices that shaped them, the memories they cling to, and the love they still hope to find.
With breathtaking performances from Margot Robbie and Colin Farrell, and Kogonada’s visual poetry guiding every frame, this film could easily become one of 2025’s most profound cinematic experiences.

Director: Kogonada
Writer: Seth Reiss
Genre: Romance, Fantasy, Drama
Starring: Margot Robbie, Colin Farrell, Kevin Kline, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Jodie Turner-Smith, Lily Rabe, Billy Magnussen
Release Date: September 19, 2025 (US