Drake Doremus’ ‘Next Life’ Struggles to Find Emotional Depth

Director Drake Doremus returns to the romantic drama genre with 'Next Life,' a film that premiered at the Tribeca Festival. Starring Emilia Clarke as Ivy, a woman navigating a period of personal instability, the film utilizes a 'Sliding Doors' narrative structure to explore how a minor change in timing—specifically, catching or missing a train—can lead to two vastly different life paths. In one reality, Ivy finds romance with a jazz musician played by Edgar Ramírez, while in the other, she reconciles with her former partner and boss, portrayed by Jack Farthing.

While the premise offers a compelling framework for examining themes of fate and personal agency, the execution reportedly falls short of its potential. Critics note that despite the high-profile cast, the film struggles to ground its abstract concepts in reality. The two parallel timelines are presented as overly polished, lacking the messy, mundane, and idiosyncratic details that typically define human relationships. As a result, the film’s attempt to capture the complexity of love and purpose feels more like a curated aesthetic exercise than a genuine exploration of life’s turning points.

For the film industry, 'Next Life' serves as a reminder of the challenges inherent in high-concept romantic dramas. While Doremus employs intimate cinematography and a sweeping score to evoke emotional resonance, the disconnect between the film's visual style and its narrative substance highlights the importance of character depth over stylistic artifice. Ultimately, the film suggests that even with strong performances, a narrative that prioritizes tidy, symmetrical storytelling may fail to connect with audiences seeking authentic emotional stakes.