Life Itself

Life Itself

Year: 2018

Runtime: 117 min

Language: English

Director: Dan Fogelman

Echo Score: 36

Budget: $10M

DramaRomance

A couple experiences the joys and challenges of love, marriage, and raising a family while living in New York City. Their personal journey intertwines with the stories of others across different times and places, creating a moving portrait of human connection and the shared experiences that shape our lives. Through moments of happiness and hardship, the film explores the enduring power of relationships and the intricate ways we are all linked.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Life Itself yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline & Setting – Life Itself (2018)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Life Itself (2018). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

The film spans various time frames, focusing on significant moments in the characters' lives, from pivotal childhood experiences to adult struggles. This nonlinear timeline allows for a rich exploration of how past events shape present circumstances and emotional landscapes.

Location

New York City, Spain

The movie primarily unfolds in New York City, a bustling metropolis known for its vibrant culture, diverse population, and as a hub for creative endeavors. Meanwhile, the story expands to Spain, presenting a contrasting backdrop that explores familial ties and the impact of grief through a different lens.

🏙️ Urban 🌍 International

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 19:58

Main Characters – Life Itself (2018)

Meet the key characters of Life Itself (2018), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Henry

Henry is a charming yet troubled gay man struggling with his past relationships and current circumstances. His journey of self-discovery unfolds through therapy sessions with Dr. Cait Morris, revealing his vulnerabilities and the lasting pain of loss. Henry's character embodies the complexities of love and longing.

🎭 Emotional 🌈 LGBTQ+

Will

Will is a man grappling with his tumultuous past and the profound loss of his wife, Abby. His narrative is marked by an exploration of grief, regret, and the quest for understanding as he reflects on their life together. Will's character showcases the difficulty of reconciling love with tragedy.

😢 Heartbroken 🎨 Creative

Abby

Abby is portrayed as a strong yet vulnerable woman, whose troubled childhood shapes her relationships. Her love for Will is evident, but she is also deeply affected by her past traumas. Abby's character reflects resilience in the face of adversity, yet her tragic fate adds a layer of complexity to her story.

💪 Resilient 💔 Tragic

Dylan

Dylan is the daughter of Will and Abby, navigating the pains of her parents' past while seeking to carve her own identity. Her character embodies the struggle with loss and the search for meaning in her family’s history. Dylan's journey speaks to the intergenerational impact of grief and love.

🎶 Artistic 🌱 Growing

Dr. Cait Morris

Dr. Cait Morris serves as Will's therapist and a guiding force in his life, offering a professional perspective on his emotional turmoil. Her character is compassionate yet firm, emphasizing the importance of mental health in the face of personal crises. Cait’s own journey intertwines with Will’s as she faces unexpected challenges.

🧠 Supportive 🩺 Professional

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 19:58

Major Themes – Life Itself (2018)

Explore the central themes of Life Itself (2018), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

💔 Grief

Grief is a central theme in the film, as characters navigate the loss of loved ones and the impact it has on their lives. The portrayal of grief is deeply intertwined with personal memories and relationships, as seen in Will's reflections on his wife Abby and Dylan's connection to her mother. The film captures the essence of how grief can shape individuals and their decisions.

❤️ Love

The theme of love pervades the narrative, from Will and Abby’s tumultuous relationship to the bond shared between Dylan and her family. Love is depicted in various forms, showcasing both its beauty and pain. The characters’ experiences highlight how love can both uplift and devastate.

🔄 Legacy

Legacy is explored through the interconnected lives of the characters, emphasizing the lasting impact of familial relationships and choices. As Elena reflects on her family's history, the film illustrates how past actions resonate through generations, shaping identities and futures.

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 19:58

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Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Movies with Interwoven Lives Like Life Itself

Complex narratives linking diverse characters and timelines through shared trauma.If you liked the interconnected, multigenerational storytelling of Life Itself, you'll find similar narrative tapestries here. These movies, often dramas with complex structures, explore how separate lives and timelines are powerfully linked by fate, love, or trauma.

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Narrative Summary

These stories typically unfold through a non-chronological structure, jumping between past and present to reveal the hidden connections between seemingly disparate characters. The narrative pattern emphasizes cause and effect, showing how a single event can echo across decades and shape multiple destinies.

Why These Movies?

Movies are grouped here for their shared narrative architecture: a complex, mosaic-like structure that prioritizes thematic and emotional connections over linear plot. They create a reflective experience focused on the intricate web of human relationships.

Heavy Dramas About Grief and Loss Like Life Itself

Stories that navigate the devastating yet connective power of loss.For viewers seeking movies like Life Itself that delve deeply into themes of grief, loss, and healing. These emotionally heavy dramas portray the raw, challenging journey of coping with tragedy while finding resilience and meaning.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative journey often begins with a sudden, tragic incident that shatters the characters' world. The plot then follows the arduous, non-linear process of grieving—encompassing denial, anger, despair, and eventually, a bittersweet acceptance—while examining the impact on relationships and personal identity.

Why These Movies?

These films share a core focus on the emotional weight and complex process of mourning. They are united by a melancholic tone, high emotional intensity, and a commitment to portraying grief with raw honesty, often culminating in a bittersweet resolution.

Unlock the Full Story of Life Itself

Don't stop at just watching — explore Life Itself in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Life Itself is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Life Itself Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Life Itself, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Life Itself Summary

Life Itself Timeline

Track the full timeline of Life Itself with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Life Itself Timeline

Life Itself Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Life Itself that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

Life Itself Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Life Itself

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Life Itself: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Life Itself

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