The Things to Come: Life Ain’t Always a Straight Line

So, last night I curled up with a bag of dill-flavored chips—those really addictive Swedish ones you can’t find anywhere else—and watched “Things to Come.” Directed by Mia Hansen-Løve, you know? She’s one of those directors who can make a random Tuesday feel poetic. And starring Isabelle Huppert! An absolute legend.

Right off the bat, I’m kind of floored by Huppert’s performance. She’s Nathalie, a philosophy professor dealing with, well, life throwing a lot at her—husband pulling a Houdini, kids leaving the nest, and even her stubborn ol’ mom needing more care. Huppert doesn’t just act; she does this thing where she captures both the brittleness and resilience of a person at a crossroads. It’s like seeing a porcelain vase withstand a storm.

There’s this scene—Nathalie’s in her favorite old bookstore, holding a philosophy book when she finds out about her husband. I don’t know about you, but bookstores give me a sort of nostalgic warmth. They remind me of that summer when I got lost in one of those musty second-hand shops in Uppsala and accidentally stumbled upon a life-changing book on French cinema. Made me who I am today!

Now, this is a film more about moments than plot twists. It’s meditative. Some might say it meanders, but isn’t that just life? Also, the setting! Man, the French countryside and Paris are so vividly shot, you can almost smell the fresh baguette. It’s like the film’s inviting us to slow down, sip on wine, and ponder the What-Ifs of life.

But, okay, I felt a tad lost at times, especially with the philosophy bits. It’s profound, sure, but maybe too heady for half-past ten on a Tuesday. Yet, it never feels pretentious, thanks to Hansen-Løve’s gentle touch.

So, is it for everyone? Probably not. But if you’re in the mood for something that makes you think about time and change and maybe those IKEA meatballs your parents used to make on Sundays, it’s a flick worth watching. After all, life’s messy and confusing, but who says that’s a bad thing?

Check the trailer below