Plot Explained Spoilers guaranteed!
Plot Explained

Browse by genre

Always Be My Maybe (2019) movie poster

Characters & Themes

Always Be My Maybe (2019) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

Release, runtime and language
2019 · 101 min · English
Echo score 70
JustWatch #23,526 10
Directed by
Nahnatchka Khan
Starring
Keanu Reeves, Karan Soni, Randall Park, Ali Wong, Marcella Bragio, James Saito

Two childhood friends, Sasha, now a successful celebrity chef, and Marcus, a musician with a more relaxed approach to life, reconnect after fifteen years apart. Their reunion stirs up old feelings and unresolved issues from the past. As they attempt to reconcile their complicated history, they must determine if their friendship can be rekindled and if a romantic spark might still exist between them.

On this page (8)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Characters explained (4)
  3. 3 Where & when it takes place
  4. 4 Themes & meaning (3)
  5. 5 Character & meaning questions
  6. 6 Movie threads
  7. 7 Movies like Always Be My Maybe
  8. 8 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch Always Be My Maybe (2019)

Where can you watch Always Be My Maybe? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on Netflix and Netflix Standard: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

Streaming availability powered by JustWatch

4 main characters · contains spoilers

Always Be My Maybe Characters Explained: Who Is Who

The main characters of Always Be My Maybe (2019), heroes and villains: what drives them, how they change over the course of the story and what each of them reveals about the film's bigger ideas.

  • Sasha (Ali Wong)

    Sasha is a dedicated and talented chef who connects her culinary passion to her cultural roots. She struggles with balancing her career aspirations with her deep-seated feelings for Marcus, showcasing her emotional depth and resilience amidst personal challenges.

    • 👩‍🍳 Chef
    • 💔 Heartfelt
    • 🌟 Ambitious
  • Marcus (Randall Park)

    Marcus is a sensitive and creative soul who shares a profound history with Sasha. He grapples with the loss of his mother and his own aspirations, showcasing a journey of self-acceptance and emotional maturity as he learns to confront his feelings for Sasha.

    • 🎶 Musician
    • ⚡ Vulnerable
    • 💕 Romantic
  • Brandon (Daniel Dae Kim)

    Brandon is a restaurateur engaged to Sasha, representing stability but also the challenges of navigating personal sacrifice for career ambitions. His character adds complexity to Sasha's journey as she confronts her true desires.

    • 🍷 Restaurateur
    • 🌱 Supportive
    • 🔗 Complicated
  • Keanu Reeves

    Keanu Reeves plays a whimsical version of himself, providing comic relief and tension in the narrative. His eccentric personality offers a light-hearted yet insightful perspective on love and relationships.

    • 🎬 Celebrity
    • 🌈 Quirky
    • 😂 Humorous

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 18:53

Was this helpful?

Setting

Where and When Does Always Be My Maybe Take Place?

The setting of Always Be My Maybe (2019): the year and time period, the places and locations, and how they shape the characters, the mood and the tension of the story.

Time period

The movie primarily unfolds in contemporary times, showcasing the challenges and triumphs of modern relationships, careers, and personal growth. It reflects the evolving dynamics of friendships and love as characters navigate their aspirations amidst changing life circumstances.

Location

San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York

San Francisco serves as the backdrop for the childhood bond between Sasha and Marcus, known for its vibrant neighborhoods and culinary scene. Los Angeles represents Sasha's success as a chef, a city bustling with opportunities and celebrity culture. Finally, New York, where Sasha opens her restaurant, symbolizes new beginnings and dreams fulfilled.

  • 🏙️ City
  • 🍴 Restaurant
  • 🌆 Urban Development

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 18:53

Was this helpful?

3 major themes

Always Be My Maybe Meaning: Themes & Message Explained

What is Always Be My Maybe (2019) really about? The emotional, social and philosophical themes the film keeps returning to, its symbolism and the message beneath the surface.

  • Love and Heartbreak

    The central theme of love and heartbreak is illustrated as Sasha and Marcus struggle with their feelings for each other, highlighted by their emotional journey and past traumas. Their relationship showcases the complexities of rekindling old flames and the hurdles of moving on, emphasizing that true love often involves vulnerability and growth.

  • New Beginnings

    New beginnings are represented by Sasha's restaurant opening and her reconciliation with Marcus. The film underscores the idea that change, while often difficult, can lead to fulfilling outcomes, as seen when Marcus supports Sasha's dreams and embraces his own emotional journey.

  • Identity and Self-Discovery

    The theme of identity and self-discovery is prevalent as both Sasha and Marcus face the pressures of their chosen paths. Marcus grapples with his place in the world beyond the spotlight, while Sasha learns to balance her ambitious pursuits with her personal life and relationships.

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 18:53

Was this helpful?

Character & theme questions

Always Be My Maybe Characters & Meaning: Your Questions Answered

The questions people ask about Always Be My Maybe (2019): who the characters really are, their relationships, what the symbols mean, where it takes place and what the movie is really about. Each answer contains spoilers.

Q1

Where is the movie set?

The movie takes place primarily in San Francisco, where Sasha and Marcus grew up as childhood friends. As adults, the story expands to Los Angeles, where Sasha has built her successful culinary career, and finally to New York, where she opens her own restaurant.

  • san francisco
  • los angeles
  • new york
  • setting
  • locations
Q2

When does the movie take place?

The movie unfolds in contemporary times, reflecting modern relationships, careers, and personal growth. It captures the current era's dynamics where characters navigate their aspirations amid changing life circumstances.

  • contemporary
  • modern
  • time period
  • present day
Q3

What are the main themes of the movie?

The movie explores three central themes: love and heartbreak, new beginnings, and identity and self-discovery. These themes interweave as Sasha and Marcus navigate their complicated history while pursuing their personal and professional goals.

  • themes
  • love
  • heartbreak
  • new beginnings
  • identity
  • self-discovery
Q4

What does the love and heartbreak theme explore?

The love and heartbreak theme illustrates Sasha and Marcus's struggle with unresolved feelings for each other. Their emotional journey highlights the complexities of rekindling old flames and the hurdles of moving on, emphasizing that true love requires vulnerability and personal growth.

  • love
  • heartbreak
  • romance
  • emotional journey
  • vulnerability
Q5

What does the new beginnings theme represent?

New beginnings are represented through Sasha's restaurant opening and her reconciliation with Marcus. The film shows that change, while difficult, can lead to fulfilling outcomes when characters support each other's dreams and embrace emotional growth.

  • new beginnings
  • change
  • growth
  • restaurant
  • dreams
Q6

What does the identity and self-discovery theme cover?

Both Sasha and Marcus face pressures from their chosen paths, forcing them to question their identities. Marcus grapples with finding his place beyond the spotlight, while Sasha learns to balance her ambitious career with her personal life and romantic desires.

  • identity
  • self-discovery
  • career
  • ambition
  • personal growth
Q7

Who is Sasha in the movie?

Sasha is a dedicated and talented chef who connects her culinary passion to her cultural roots. She is successful in her career but struggles with balancing her ambitions against her deep-seated feelings for Marcus, showcasing her emotional depth and resilience.

  • sasha
  • chef
  • culinary
  • career
  • ali wong
Q8

Who is Marcus in the movie?

Marcus is a sensitive and creative musician with a relaxed approach to life. He shares a profound history with Sasha and grapples with the loss of his mother while on a journey of self-acceptance and emotional maturity.

  • marcus
  • musician
  • sensitive
  • creative
  • randall park
Q9

Who is Brandon in the movie?

Brandon is a restaurateur engaged to Sasha, representing stability and conventional success. His character adds complexity to Sasha's journey as she must confront her true desires against the practical security he offers.

  • brandon
  • restaurateur
  • engagement
  • stability
  • daniel dae kim
Q10

What is Keanu Reeves' role in the movie?

Keanu Reeves plays a whimsical version of himself, serving as comic relief throughout the narrative. His eccentric personality provides light-hearted moments while offering an insightful perspective on love and relationships.

  • keanu reeves
  • cameo
  • comic relief
  • humor
Q11

What is the tone of the movie?

The movie has a light and comedic tone with a hopeful outlook, typical of the romantic comedy genre. While it addresses topics like grief and a broken engagement with medium emotional weight, the overall experience remains accessible, uplifting, and ultimately happy.

  • tone
  • comedy
  • romantic comedy
  • light
  • hopeful
  • humor

Movie threads

More Movies Like Always Be My Maybe, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes Always Be My Maybe tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Rekindled Romance Movies like Always Be My Maybe

Long-lost loves find their way back to each other with humor and heart. If you enjoyed the second-chance love story in Always Be My Maybe, you'll like these movies about childhood friends or former partners reconnecting. This collection features romantic comedies and dramas where past relationships get a new beginning, blending nostalgic feelings with modern-day romance.

  • romantic
  • heartwarming
  • nostalgic
  • hopeful
  • funny
  • uplifting
  • Tone: light, hopeful, nostalgic
  • Pacing: steady, character-driven
Why these movies?

The story pattern: Stories typically begin with a separation—often years in the past—followed by an unexpected reunion that stirs up old feelings. The central conflict involves reconciling who the characters were with who they have become, navigating past hurts and present circumstances to see if their connection is strong enough to survive a second time.

Why they belong together: These movies are grouped by their shared focus on the 'what if' of a past relationship. They consistently deliver a mix of hopeful optimism, relatable vulnerability, and the satisfying emotional payoff of seeing love triumph over time and circumstance.

Modern Romantic Comedies Similar to Always Be My Maybe

Witty, character-driven love stories that feel fresh and authentically modern. Fans of the witty and heartfelt vibe of Always Be My Maybe will enjoy this selection of modern romantic comedies. These films share a similar balance of genuine romance, smart humor, and relatable character arcs, often featuring diverse casts and specific, interesting settings like the food world.

  • funny
  • romantic
  • quirky
  • heartwarming
  • witty
  • uplifting
  • Tone: light, witty, heartfelt
  • Pacing: steady
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative follows a conventional rom-com structure but feels updated with authentic dialogue and relatable dilemmas. Conflicts arise from clashing lifestyles, career ambitions, or personal insecurities rather than cartoonish misunderstandings. The journey is as much about the characters achieving self-awareness as it is about them finding love.

Why they belong together: These films are grouped by their shared tone and execution: they are consistently funny without being frivolous, romantic without being saccharine, and grounded in a recognizable, contemporary reality. They offer a satisfying and smart escape.

If you liked this

Movies Like Always Be My Maybe

Similar movies to Always Be My Maybe: the same genre, themes or kind of story. Each one comes with its own plot summary, timeline and ending explained.

Browse all movie summaries

Every angle

Always Be My Maybe (2019) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about Always Be My Maybe in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Movie Summary App

Plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Catch up on any movie in minutes, save your favorites and never miss a twist again.

Be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private, always.

Learn more about the app