The World to Come, director Mona Fastvold’s sophomore film, tells the story of two farmers’ wives, Abigail (Katherine Waterson) and Tallie (Vanessa Kirby) in mid- 19th century rural New York who develop an intense friendship that evolves into romance. Based on co-writer Jim Shepard’s short story of the same name, The World to Come is a beautiful exploration of grief and longing told from a female perspective. Abigail’s husband Dyer (Casey Affleck) and Tallie’s husband, Finney (Christopher Abbott) round out the four leads.
The film is largely narrated through Abigail’s journal entries, which start at the beginning of 1856. We are immediately thrown into the harsh circumstances of Abigail and Dyer’s lifestyle. The bitter cold brings ice into their cabin. Abigail washes potatoes and they instantly frost over. Their landscape is simultaneously beautiful and unforgiving.
Abigail’s journal voiceovers are much more than a narrative tool though. They provide insight into her psyche, which helps the audience understand her motives and actions. Her observations about the other main characters are also very astute, which prove both hopeful and foreboding. There is quite a bit of narration in the film, some might say too much. However, the intelligence of Abigail’s writing and Waterson’s delivery felt very natural and I felt it enhanced the film.
Through these early entries, we discover that Abigail and Dyer lost a young daughter to diphtheria. This loss results in a disconnect in their marriage, with both parties burying their grief in the day-to-day monotony of farm life. Abigail laments “I have become my grief”. Dyer is stoic, yet still clearly loves his wife. Abigail is fond of her husband (who seems a good man), but the affection seems to end there. The couple is isolated, and malcontent.
Enter Tallie and Finney. New neighbors who have rented the farm adjacent to Abigail and Dyer. Tallie is a beautiful radiant extrovert who wastes little time in coming to visit Abigail, as she is unsettled by Finney’s day of slaughtering pigs. The chemistry between the two women is immediately tangible. Also, early into the relationship, Tallie observes that Abigail is likely more expressive in writing than she is verbally. We already know that to be so, and the acknowledgment of that openly in the film feels very relatable.
As their chemistry grows from friendship, to love and long-suppressed romance, Abigail and Tallie thrive. Their gorgeous and intelligent dialogue about lost dreams, hopes, and the current state of their lives is riveting. They are mesmerizing together. “Astonishment and joy”, is an understatement.
Eventually, their husbands start to catch on to the true nature of the relationship. Each spouse processes this revelation differently. Dyer is wounded yet continues to love and ultimately support Abigail. Finney is a different story altogether. He is possessive, jealous, and violent. He chooses to leave town with Tallie, which leads Abigail on a quest to track down her soulmate. The film’s end does seem inevitable, but it was a stunning journey.
The near constant narration verges on distracting, yet The World to Come is one hundred percent redeemed from any minor flaws by the perfect performances of the four leads. Yes, perfect. Vanessa Kirby particularly shines as the outgoing, luminous half of the central romantic couple. Waterson is also compelling as the subdued yet passionate Abigail. Affleck and Abbott prove to be much more than mere accessories to the female leads, both bringing realistic levity to what could have been cliched roles. Their complete opposite sensibilities to the same situation are both horrifying and heartbreaking.
The score, courtesy of Daniel Blumberg, was unexpectedly amazing and contributes strongly to the film’s beautiful aesthetic. Rural, frontier era upstate New York was gorgeously portrayed, even during the harsh winters.
In conclusion, The World to Come is an amazing film. It is a slow burn, but once the burn hits, it is scorching. Intelligent, beautiful, tragic, and passionate. Ultimately, the four perfect lead performances make this a film that you should not miss.
Score
In conclusion, The World to Come is an amazing film. It is a slow burn, but once the burn hits, it is scorching. Intelligent, beautiful, tragic, and passionate. Ultimately, the four perfect lead performances make this a film that you should not miss.