A BIG BOLD BEAUTIFUL JOURNEY
Genre: Drama, Fantasy, Romance
Directed by: Kogonada
Starring: Margot Robbie, Colin Farrell
Release Date: September 19, 2025
Platform: Theaters
Star Rating: 4/5 stars
By Karl Simpson Jr.
“It’s less about the destination and more about the ride.”
A BIG BOLD BEAUTIFUL JOURNEY is the kind of film that entertains, charms, and even moves you, but also leaves you wishing for a bit more. Directed with warmth and featuring standout turns from Margot Robbie and Colin Farrell, the film carries humor, heart, and visual flair. Yet for all its ambition, it never quite reaches the emotional depth it’s reaching for. The result is an imaginative tale that’s enjoyable and engaging, but not quite unforgettable.
At its core, the film centers on two strangers who embark on an unbelievable journey that connects them in unexpected ways. The beats are sometimes predictable, but that’s almost beside the point. It’s less about the destination and more about the ride. And on that level, the film delivers. The narrative is playful, layered with theatrical touches, and leans into themes of memory, regret, and longing.
The chemistry between Robbie and Farrell anchors the film. Both bring warmth and nuance, carrying scenes that could have otherwise fallen flat. What might surprise audiences is just how funny the film is. There are genuine laughs throughout, and that humor gives the heavier themes space to breathe. Together, the performances and tone make even the familiar moments feel engaging.
Beneath its incredibly whimsical exterior, the film wrestles with a bigger idea: that life itself is a performance. We slip into roles such as lover, partner, child, friend without even thinking, and those roles shape how we’re seen. The story digs into what happens when those masks crack, when we’re forced to confront truths we’ve kept hidden. It’s about the risk of being seen and the courage of choosing love and vulnerability without a script.
One of the film’s most memorable creative choices is its use of doors as living metaphors. Each door becomes a threshold, sometimes into memory, sometimes into truth, sometimes into fear. They hold danger and promise, making the act of stepping through one a test of courage. It’s a clever device that adds depth to the story, turning simple settings into emotional mirrors.
For all its strengths, the film doesn’t always land emotionally. The intention is there, and you can feel it building, but the payoff never entirely breaks through. Instead of cutting deep, the big moments feel like they stop just short. It’s as though the film wants to pull you in closer but keeps a layer of distance.
A BIG BOLD BEAUTIFUL JOURNEY entertains with genuine charm, humor, and visual flair while also attempting to explore themes of performance, vulnerability, and love. Robbie and Farrell shine, the music elevates the storytelling, and the metaphors add depth. But the emotional beats never quite land as firmly as they should. It’s a movie worth seeing, giving you plenty to enjoy. Still, it leaves you craving that extra spark to make the journey unforgettable.
