You ever watch a movie and feel like you need a warm blanket and a long walk afterward? That’s basically the vibe here. The World to Come full movie isn’t exactly a light Friday night watch, but it’s stuck with people for a reason.
Set in the 1850s, it’s a story about two women, Abigail and Tallie, played by Katherine Waterston and Vanessa Kirby. They're living these incredibly isolated, gritty lives on the American frontier. No TikTok. No grocery stores. Just mud, chores, and a whole lot of silence. Honestly, the silence is almost a character itself.
What’s the big deal with the plot?
Abigail and her husband Dyer (Casey Affleck) are grieving. They lost their young daughter, Nellie, to diphtheria. It’s heavy. They’re roommates who barely speak, living in a house that feels more like a prison of routine. Then, Tallie and her husband Finney (Christopher Abbott) move in nearby.
Tallie is... different. She’s got this shock of red hair and a way of speaking that makes Abigail’s world stop being so grey. They start visiting each other. At first, it’s just to escape the drudgery of farm life. But then it turns into something way deeper. It’s a "forbidden romance" period piece, sure, but it feels more grounded than most.
The movie is structured around Abigail’s diary entries. You’re literally inside her head. The language is poetic, almost like reading a 19th-century novel, which makes sense because the screenplay was co-written by Ron Hansen and Jim Shepard (who wrote the original short story).
Where Can You Watch The World to Come Full Movie?
If you’re looking for the film right now, don’t go hunting for sketchy "free" sites. They’re a nightmare for your computer and usually look like they were filmed on a potato.
You can find the movie on most major digital platforms.
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- Streaming: It often pops up on Hulu or Paramount+ depending on your region.
- Free (with a catch): If you have a library card, check Kanopy or Hoopla. They usually have it for free, legally.
- Rental/Purchase: It’s on Amazon Video, Apple TV, and Google Play. You can usually rent it for a few bucks.
Why does it look so... different?
Director Mona Fastvold made a specific choice to shoot this on 16mm film. It’s grainy. It’s textured. It looks like an old painting that’s been left in the sun too long. They actually filmed it in Romania, even though it’s supposed to be upstate New York. The landscape is brutal.
The music is another weird, cool thing. It’s full of woodwinds—clarinets and saxophones—that sound a bit like free jazz. It shouldn’t work for the 1850s, but it captures that feeling of being totally overwhelmed by your own emotions.
The Men: Not Just Villains
Usually, in these movies, the husbands are just one-dimensional jerks. Here, it’s more complicated.
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Dyer isn't a bad guy; he’s just a man of his time who has no idea how to talk to his wife. He’s grieving too, but he expresses it by recording the price of potatoes in his ledger. It’s sad, really. On the other hand, Tallie’s husband Finney is the one you’ll probably hate. He’s controlling, jealous, and honestly pretty terrifying.
The contrast between the two couples is what drives the tension. While Abigail and Tallie are finding this beautiful, intellectual, and physical connection, the walls are closing in on them.
Key Details Most People Miss
- The Ending: It’s divisive. Some people find it incredibly depressing; others see it as a tribute to the power of memory and "the world to come" (the afterlife or a better future).
- The Hair: Vanessa Kirby’s Tallie has hair that looks almost too good for a farm wife. Critics have pointed it out, but it’s a visual signal of her spirit and how she doesn’t "fit" the landscape.
- The Enema: Yeah, there’s a scene where Abigail has to give Dyer a molasses and lard enema. It’s the ultimate "romance killer" and shows just how un-glamorous their marriage is.
Is It Worth Your Time?
If you liked Portrait of a Lady on Fire or Ammonite, you’ll probably dig this. But be warned: it’s a slow burn. It’s about the things people don’t say.
It’s a movie for when you want to feel something big and maybe cry a little bit. It’s about the tragedy of being born in the wrong century.
Next Steps for You:
- Check your streaming apps: Search for the movie on Hulu or Kanopy first to see if you can watch it for free.
- Read the short story: Jim Shepard’s original story is in a collection also titled The World to Come. It’s a quick read and gives even more context to Abigail’s internal thoughts.
- Watch the trailer: If you aren't sure about the "poetic narration" style, the trailer gives a perfect taste of the film's unique rhythm.