2026 Chicago International Film Festival Movie Review: All of a Sudden

Writer/director Ryūsuke Hamaguchi’s All of a Sudden is a stunning film. It is an intimate and powerful film about empathy and human connection in a world torn apart by capitalism. It is dense and challenging, but as beautiful as movies get in 2026.

Virginie Efira stars as Marie-Lou, a director of a Paris-based elder care facility. Having had a bad experience with elder care facilities in the past with her mother, Marie-Lou is trying to change the philosophy of the facility that centers around listening, responding, and respecting its residents, rather than looking at them as people left for dead. Facing pushback from seasoned staff, Marie-Lou is on the verge of burnout until a chance encounter with theater director Mari (Tao Okamoto), which helps ease the stress of both women. The two spend an evening talking and learning about each other, growing a deep bond they both have been yearning for.

Hamaguchi is a master of making ordinary life seem cinematic. Everything feels authentic, and at times could double for a well-crafted documentary. Hamaguchi starts the film by establishing the happenings of the elder care facility. We learn about the typical day-to-day happenings, the budgetary issues, the happy and unhappy employees, and even meet a few residents. Hamaguchi brings us into this world as if we are an employee at the facility getting caught up to speed.

The movie takes off when Marie-Lou meets Mari. After Marie-Lou attends Mari’s latest stage production, the two spend the entire evening together, which includes them strolling around the streets of suburban Paris simply talking. They talk about a range of topics, from their personal lives to capitalism, and much more. The naturalistic dialogue, philosophical and literal wandering, and human connection between the two will remind you of Richard Linklater’s Before Trilogy or the films of Éric Rohmer. Hamaguchi shoots this sequence, which takes up most of the film’s second act, beautifully, highlighting the city streets in the evening, while making everything just a tinge magical.

Through Marie-Lou and Mari’s conversations, we learn that Mari is battling terminal cancer, which only deepens the bond between Marie-Lou and Mari. Hamaguchi never lets this become the focal point of the movie, and never makes it melodramatic. He keeps the film focused on empathy, connection, and living life. That doesn’t mean the third act doesn’t pack an emotional wallop (it does), but even during its most tragic moments, we remember the wonderful bond that was created between Marie-Lou and Mari, which warms your heart when you think it should be breaking.

Some might be turned off by All of a Sudden’s 3-hour-and-15-minute runtime, and they shouldn’t be. Every second of this movie is used to perfection. Every character is fleshed out, every plot is developed, and every conversation is interesting and meaningful. Throughout the film, Marie-Lou shows patience with the residents of her elder care facility and notes that patience gives them a better overall experience. With All of a Sudden, Hamaguchi is preaching patience, and if you have it, you will be treated to one of the best movies of 2026.

Follow Kevflix on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and Letterboxd by searching Kevflix.