Past Lives12A

Directed by Celine Song | South Korea/USA | 2023 | 1h 46m | Korean w/ English subtitles | Starring Greta Lee, Teo Yoo, John Magaro, Moon Seung-ah, Leem Seung-min

Inseparable childhood friends Nora and Hae Sun are wrest apart when Nora’s family emigrates from South Korea. Twenty years later they are reunited in New York for one week. During this time, they come face to face with their shared history and the fateful decisions of their lives. This outstanding debut feature by Celine Song is a beautifully acted and deeply romantic modern love story that embraces destiny, nostalgia, and the immigrant experience. Nominated for 3 BAFTA Awards, including Best Original Screenplay.

Reviews

‘A transcendent debut for South Korean-Canadian filmmaker Celine Song, this romantic drama is a masterclass in slow, simmering storytelling. It will stay with you, maybe even into your next life.’
★★★★★
Nick De Semlyen, Empire Magazine

‘This heart-meltingly romantic and sad movie from Korean-Canadian dramatist and film-maker Celine Song left me wrung out and empty and weirdly euphoric…It’s a must-see.’
★★★★★
Peter Bradshaw, The Guardian

Sorry - you missed it!

We showed Past Lives between September 22, 2023 and January 27, 2024.

Join our mailing list and we'll make sure you always know what's on and when.

What else is on?

Today (Thursday 15th May)

12:30

The Penguin Lessons 12A
Parent + Baby Screening
1h 52m
A weary Englishman (Steve Coogan) takes an unexpected journey when he rescues a penguin in 1970s Argentina. Based on an incredible true story, this heartfelt drama blends humour and warmth against a backdrop of political turmoil.

Book here

15:30

The Penguin Lessons 12A
1h 52m
A weary Englishman (Steve Coogan) takes an unexpected journey when he rescues a penguin in 1970s Argentina. Based on an incredible true story, this heartfelt drama blends humour and warmth against a backdrop of political turmoil.

Book here

18:00

Sinners 15
2h 18m
Twin brothers seek a fresh start in their 1930s Southern hometown but uncover an evil lurking beneath the surface. Ryan Coogler and Michael B. Jordan reunite for this chilling supernatural thriller set against the backdrop of the Jim Crow-era South.

Book here

20:45

The Ugly Stepsister 18
1h 45m | Norwegian w/ English subtitles
In a fairy-tale kingdom, Elvira’s jealousy drives her to horrifying extremes. This bold Cinderella reimagining fuses dark folklore with unsettling body horror, exposing the ruthless pressures of beauty in a grotesque, feminist fairytale.

Book here


Tomorrow (Friday 16th May)

16:00

Holy Cow 15
1h 32m | French w/ English subtitles
An 18-year-old, struggling to save his family farm, bets everything on a cheese-making competition. This touching, award-winning coming-of-ager charms with its authenticity and remarkable performances from its non-professional cast.

Book here

18:15

Julie Keeps Quiet 12A
1h 40m | Dutch & French w/ English subtitles
Top tennis player Julie’s world is shaken when her coach faces serious allegations. While others speak out, she stays silent. A tense psychological drama about power, trauma, and the cost of complicity from debut director Leonardo van Dijl.

Book here

20:30

Starship Troopers 15
2h 9m
Humanity fights for survival against alien bugs in this explosive sci-fi thriller. Paul Verhoeven’s action-packed spectacle doubles as razor-sharp satire, exposing the horrors of imperialism beneath its dazzling FX and relentless combat sequences.

Book here


Plan your visit

Our beautiful art deco inspired auditorium can be found just off East Oxford's Cowley Road. We are open 7 days a week. We open the cinema and box office 30 minutes before the scheduled start time of each film, and the Box Office then closes 10 minutes after the film starts. We don’t show adverts, just a couple of trailers, so don't be late as the film itself starts very close to the advertised time!