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“Past Lives” is a romantic film from A24 that follows the decade-long love story between two childhood friends from South Korea, Nora and Hae-sung. Despite being Celine Song’s first feature film, “Past Lives” quickly rose to universal acclaim among cinephiles and critics due to its raw, honest, and heart-rendering portrayal of love. Because of this, “Past Lives” is deemed by countless critics as one of the best films of 2023. Coveted publications like IndieWire named it as the best film of 2023, while Variety ranked it fourth in their list.
Viewers in Canada can buy or rent “Past Lives” on video-on-demand (VOD) services like Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, Cineplex Store, YouTube TV, and Microsoft Store.
You can also purchase “Past Lives” on physical home media formats like DVD and Blu-ray.
In this article, we will give you a comprehensive guide on each streaming option to see which platform can give you the best viewing experience.
Table of Contents
1. Apple TV
Apple TV is Apple’s video-on-demand (VOD) platform which lets users buy and rent digital copies of films and TV series. You can buy “Past Lives” on Apple TV for CAD$17.99, while rentals cost CAD$6.99. “Past Lives” streams on Apple TV on a 4K video resolution, Dolby surround audio, and a Closed Captions (CC) feature for viewers with hearing disabilities.
2. Amazon Prime Video
Amazon Prime Video is a video-on-demand platform by Amazon where users can buy and rent digital copies of films and shows. In Amazon Prime Video, you can buy “Past Lives” for CAD$17.99 and rent for CAD$4.99.
3. Cineplex Store
Cineplex Store is a Canada-exclusive video-on-demand (VOD) platform that enables users to buy and rent digital copies of movies and TV shows. At the Cineplex Store, you can rent “Past Lives” in HD for CAD$5.99. After renting “Past Lives,” you have 30 days from the date of payment to start watching the film, and 48 hours to finish it. You can also buy “Past Lives” for CAD$21.99.
4. YouTube TV
YouTube TV is a video-on-demand service that allows users to buy and rent digital copies of movies and TV shows from its extensive content library. On YouTube TV, “Past Lives” is available for rent in 1080p for CAD$5.99, while buying the film costs CAD$24.99.
5. Microsoft Store
Microsoft Store is an online marketplace where users can buy and rent various digital products, such as movies and TV shows. You can rent “Past Lives” at the Microsoft Store for CAD$17.99. When renting, you’ll have 14 days to start watching the film and 48 hours to finish it.
What Is the Best Streaming Option to Watch in Canada?
The best streaming option to watch “Past Lives” is by buying it on Apple TV. While buying “Past Lives” on Apple TV is necessarily cheap, it is the only service that streams the film in 4K video quality and premium Dolby surround sound, which gives users a more dynamic and cinematic viewing experience.
What Is Past Lives About?
“Past Lives” follows Nora and Hae Sung, two childhood friends from South Korea who drifted apart when Nora’s family decided to move to Canada. Despite staying in different countries and living in different time zones, Nora and Hae Sung remain unfailingly drawn to each other. They maintain an on-again, off-again connection that spans decades and would constantly be challenged by circumstances, new relationships, and personal growth.
“Past Lives” shows the enduring connection between Nora and Hae Sung, who’s been separated for a long time, only to realize that their love for each other remained whole despite the passing years. “Past Lives” shows that circumstances may keep people apart, but some connections, like Nora and Hae Sung, are destined to withstand the test of time and boundaries.
Who Are the Creators of Past Lives?
The creator of “Past Lives” is the Canadian-South Korean filmmaker Celine Song. The film is produced under A24, an independent entertainment agency that specializes in distributing and producing arthouse films and TV shows. A24 is the company behind the most coveted arthouse titles of the past decade such as “Everything Everywhere All at Once,” “Lady Bird,” “Pearl,” “Beau is Afraid,” “Beef,” “Euphoria,” and “X.”
Who Are in the Cast of Past Lives?
The cast of “Past Lives” features Greta Lee, who is also known for her role in “The Morning Show,” and German-South Korean actor Teo Yoo. Here’s the main cast of “Past Lives”:
- Greta Lee as Nora
- Teo Yoo as Hae Sung
- John Magaro as Arthur
- Ji Hye Yoon as Nora’s mom
- Choi Won-young as Nora’s dad
- Min Young Ahn as Hae Sung’s mom
- Jonica T. Gibbs as Janice
- Emily Cass McDonnell as Rachel
- Federico Rodriguez as Robert
- Conrad Schott as Peter
- Kristen Sieh as Heather
Who Are the Main Characters of Past Lives?
Here are the main characters of “Past Lives”:
- Na Young / Nora – An aspiring playwright who moved to New York from South Korea. She grapples with cultural differences in her new home and attempts to forge an identity for herself while her longing for her past with Hae Sung remains.
- Hae Sung – Nora’s childhood best friend who’s attempting to cope with her departure. While Hae Sung maintains a stable career, he finds himself yearning for his past with Nora and the romantic possibilities that could have existed between them.
Why Is Past Lives So Popular?
“Past Lives” resonated well with audiences for its subtle and intimate portrayal of love and genuine connection. It also received praise for its inclusive elements that showcased South Korean culture. Celine Song’s atmospheric cinematography, screenplay, and direction also earned critical acclaim. Greta Lee and Teo Yoo both received praise for their compelling performances, which earned them several nominations at prestigious award ceremonies like the Golden Globes.
What Do Critics Say About Past Lives?
Celine Song’s debut film was received with overwhelmingly positive reviews from critics and viewers. The film was praised for its powerful and intimate exploration of the realities of love, connection, and destiny. Greta Lee and Teo Yoo’s performances were also commended along with the film’s stunning cinematography.
Past Lives” received an approval rating of 98% on Rotten Tomatoes. Here’s why critics love “Past Lives”:
- “[Greta] Lee and [Teo] Yoo are electric together, conveying an excess of feelings both unspoken and not fully understood through their graceful exchange of looks and dialogue.” — Austin Chronicle
- “Celine Song makes a quietly spectacular writing-directing debut with Past Lives, a lyrical slow burn of a film that expertly holds back wellsprings of emotion, until it unleashes a deluge.” — Washington Post
Past Lives Fans and Community
You can relive Nora and Hae Sung’s moving love story by purchasing official fan collectibles like vinyl soundtracks, poetry books, and art prints on the A24 shop.
