“Eternal Return”

I was instantly charmed by writer / director Yaniv Raz’s “Eternal Return,” a whimsical fantasy romance with a classic fairy tale vibe. Who hasn’t had a moment of déjà vu or walked into a place that instantly reminded you of the past? This film takes that feeling and runs with it in the most magical, irresistible way.

Naomi Scott plays Cass, a young woman who’s sworn off love after losing her partner (Jay Lycurgo). Things change when she randomly meets Virgil (Kit Harington), an eccentric mapmaker who literally charts maps of memories. Along with his mentor Malcolm (Simon Callow), he’s figured out a way to let people step back into moments from their past. For Cass, that means a chance to revisit what she’s lost, but also a push to figure out if she’s ready to move forward.

It’s an intoxicatingly romantic premise, and Raz leans into it with a whimsical style that recalls films like “Amélie” and “Serendipity.” The story sparkles with a warm playfulness as London is transformed into a city of secrets and hidden portals. The script is filled with characters that are eccentric dreamers, making it not only relatable, but also charming and disarmingly sincere.

The film couldn’t ask for a better cast. Scott is wide-eyed and radiant, striking a delicate balance between vulnerability and hope. Harington is surprisingly funny and sweet as the awkward cartographer that’s vying to win her heart. Their romance unfolds a little quickly, but that owes more to the film’s brisk pacing than to any lack of chemistry. And as an aging dreamer himself, Callow grounds the story with a touch of wisdom and heart that pulls it all together.

The film taps into a universal longing to relive life’s best moments while gently reminding us not to let the past blind us to the possibilities of the future. It’s a story about grief and memory, but also one that celebrates love, joy, and the courage to open your heart again.

Playful and romantic, “Eternal Return” is a fantasy film that wears its heart on its sleeve. It’s a magical, intoxicating, fairy tale romance that’s brimming with warmth and wonder. With its profoundly human message of living in the present, this is a film that will make you believe in magic again…if only for two hours

By: Louisa Moore