What if a single moment could splinter your life into two entirely different paths? That’s the tantalizing premise of Drake Doremus’s Next Life, a film that feels less like a romantic drama and more like a jazz-infused meditation on choice, fate, and the lives we don’t live. Starring Emilia Clarke, the film presents a high-concept narrative that’s as ambitious as it is intimate, and personally, I think it’s one of the most thought-provoking explorations of ‘what if’ in recent cinema.
The Duality of Destiny
At its core, Next Life is a modern spin on Robert Frost’s The Road Not Taken, but with a jazz soundtrack and a London backdrop. Clarke’s character, Ivy, finds herself at a literal and metaphorical crossroads on a train. In one reality, she spills coffee on a stranger, a jazz musician named Diego (Edgar Ramírez), and embarks on a passionate, artistic life. In the other, she avoids the spill, returns to her ex, Noah (Jack Farthing), and settles into a stable but stifling corporate existence.
What makes this particularly fascinating is how Doremus refuses to paint one path as clearly superior. Both lives have their joys and their regrets, their moments of fulfillment and frustration. This isn’t your typical Hollywood rom-com where one choice is the obvious ‘right’ one. Instead, it’s a nuanced exploration of the trade-offs we make in life. From my perspective, this ambiguity is what elevates the film from a simple love story to a profound reflection on human decision-making.
The Jazz Metaphor
The London jazz scene isn’t just a backdrop—it’s a character in its own right. The music, lush and improvisational, mirrors the unpredictability of Ivy’s dual realities. Clarke’s rendition of ‘I’ll Be Seeing You’ is a standout moment, not just for its emotional depth but for how it encapsulates the film’s themes. Jazz, after all, is about taking risks, embracing the unknown, and finding beauty in the unexpected.
One thing that immediately stands out is how Doremus uses the genre to underscore the film’s central tension. In one life, Ivy embraces her musical ambitions, while in the other, she suppresses them. This raises a deeper question: How much of ourselves do we sacrifice for stability? And is that sacrifice worth it?
The Echoes of *Sliding Doors*
It’s impossible to watch Next Life without thinking of 1998’s Sliding Doors, another film that explores parallel lives shaped by a missed train. But Doremus’s take feels fresher, more introspective. While Sliding Doors leans into the drama of its premise, Next Life is quieter, more contemplative. It’s less about the external events and more about the internal reckoning.
What many people don’t realize is how much the pandemic influenced Doremus’s approach. His own life changes—ending one relationship, beginning another—seem to have infused the film with a sense of urgency and authenticity. This isn’t just a story about Ivy’s choices; it’s a reflection of the director’s own journey.
The Weight of What Could Have Been
One of the most compelling aspects of Next Life is how it forces the audience to confront their own ‘what ifs.’ We’ve all had moments where a single decision seemed to alter the course of our lives. Doremus doesn’t offer easy answers, but he does invite us to sit with the complexity of those moments.
A detail that I find especially interesting is how the film avoids villainizing either of Ivy’s potential partners. Diego represents freedom and passion, while Noah offers security and familiarity. Both are flawed, both are human, and both love Ivy in their own way. This refusal to simplify the narrative is what makes the film feel so honest.
The Future of Doremus’s Filmmaking
If you take a step back and think about it, Next Life feels like a turning point for Doremus. His earlier work, like Like Crazy, was raw and emotional, but this film shows a new level of maturity. It’s as if the changes in his personal life have given him a deeper well of experience to draw from.
What this really suggests is that Doremus is evolving as a storyteller, moving beyond the confines of traditional romance to explore more existential questions. I’m excited to see where he goes next, because if Next Life is any indication, he’s just getting started.
Final Thoughts
Next Life isn’t a perfect film—at times, the narrative’s back-and-forth can feel disorienting—but its imperfections only add to its charm. It’s a film that stays with you, not because of its plot twists or dramatic revelations, but because of the questions it leaves you with.
In my opinion, the true brilliance of Next Life lies in its ability to make the abstract tangible. It takes the age-old question of ‘what if’ and gives it a heartbeat, a melody, and a face. It’s a reminder that every choice we make shapes us, but it’s the choices we don’t make that haunt us. And maybe, just maybe, that’s the point.
