Watch ‘Past Lives’ Before It Leaves Prime Video – A Poignant Love Story That Lingers

If you haven’t streamed Past Lives on Prime Video yet, now’s the time, before this quiet masterpiece disappears from the platform.

Celine Song’s critically acclaimed debut feature has been flying under the radar for many casual viewers, but it’s finally getting the attention it deserves. With a powerful story, stunning performances, and a gentle emotional pull, Past Lives is one of those rare films that stays with you long after the credits roll.

Stream Past Lives on prime Video.

What is Past Lives about?

Past Lives follows the story of Nora (Greta Lee) and Hae Sung (Teo Yoo), two childhood friends whose bond is interrupted when Nora’s family emigrates from South Korea to Canada. The two drift apart but reconnect online years later, and eventually, after two decades, Hae Sung visits Nora in New York.

Now married and living a very different life, Nora finds herself torn between the life she chose and the one that could have been. Over the course of one week, they quietly explore what their connection means, and whether it’s rooted in love, memory, or something deeper.

It’s not a typical romance. There are no grand gestures or over-the-top confessions. Instead, Past Lives deals with subtle emotions, longing, regret, and the concept of In-Yun, a Korean idea about fate and connection across lifetimes. It’s this layered storytelling that gives the movie its depth and quiet beauty.

Greta Lee and Teo Yoo shine in delicate, emotional roles

Greta Lee, best known for her roles in comedies like Russian Doll and The Morning Show, shows an entirely new side here. Her performance as Nora is restrained, thoughtful, and quietly heartbreaking. Teo Yoo, seen in Decision to Leave and Vertigo, plays Hae Sung with a soulful sincerity that perfectly complements Lee’s energy.

John Magaro (The Big Short, First Cow) plays Arthur, Nora’s husband, with surprising grace, never a villain, but a man deeply aware of the emotional weight between his wife and her past. Together, the three create a beautifully grounded love triangle, full of respect, tension, and unspoken emotion.

Why Past Lives deserves a spot on your watchlist

It’s not flashy or filled with action, but Past Lives doesn’t need any of that. What it offers is something far more rare: a story that feels deeply human. Celine Song’s direction is elegant and mature, especially for a debut film. She trusts the silence, the pauses, and the unsaid moments, and the result is a movie that resonates deeply with anyone who’s ever thought about the choices that shape their lives.

Critics have praised the film since its Sundance premiere. On Rotten Tomatoes, Past Lives holds a remarkable 96% critics score and a strong audience rating, proving that this story of love and loss is connecting across all kinds of viewers.

The site’s critics consensus reads: “A remarkable debut for writer-director Celine Song, Past Lives transcends borders and time to ponder the mysteries of the heart.” And honestly, that sums it up well.

Before it leaves Prime Video, don’t miss this quiet gem

In a world of loud blockbusters and formulaic dramas, Past Lives stands out because it doesn’t try too hard, it simply tells a story that’s honest, poetic, and heartbreakingly real.

It’s a slow burn, sure. But if you give it your attention, Past Lives rewards you with one of the most moving cinematic experiences in recent years.

So, if you’re in the mood for something soulful and reflective, watch Past Lives before it disappears from Prime Video. You won’t regret it.