In a world where we often go into romance movies knowing exactly what to expect, some films shatter conventions to deliver visceral and vivid portrayals of love – flipping not just how we perceive the genre but urging us to reflect the vastness of experiences that comes with love.
From sci-fi romances and haunting love stories to to the fractured narratives of heartache backdropped by alluring world building, this Valentine’s Day we are here to remind you how love can look different to everyone.
Here are six dystopian romance films that capture how unconventional love can be.
Her
This 2013 film starring Joaquin Phoenix delivers a perfect blend of sci-fi and romance as it tackles love in the digital age.
Written, co-produced, and directed by Spike Jonze, Her follows Theodore Twombly, who falls in love with an AI system named Samantha(voiced by Scarlett Johansson).
With a futuristic setting underpinned by emotion and craving for connection, this refreshing take on romance meditates on feelings of love and loneliness.
Possibly dystopian during year of release but very much the reality we live in today, Her relatably reflects on intimacy and how connections can be formed beyond mere physical presence.
The Lobster
Yorgos Lanthimos‘s 2015 black-comedy-drama film The Lobster immerses us in a world where being single isn’t just frowned upon but outlawed.
Starring Colin Farrell in the lead, this dark romance film follows the bizarre story of a city where residents who don’t find a romantic partner within 45 days get turned into an animal of their choice.
Odd and satirical, the film dives into the pressures that society places upon people to be in relationships. Delivering a deeply critical yet humorous take on modern dating, this fascinating film looks at love through a bizarre but thoughtful lens.
The Shape of Water
Guillermo del Toro‘s period romantic dark fantasy film The Shape of Water reflects on unconventional bonds.
The 2017 film starring Sally Hawkins follows mute cleaner Elisa Esposito who works at a secret government laboratory and communicates through sign language.
When she stumbles across – and starts bonding with – a humanoid amphibian in the lab, fascination turns to infatuation culminating in impassioned romance, as the film conveys how love can spark behind all barriers.
With stunning cinematography, visual effects and iconic dialogue that captures the all-consuming purity of love, The Shape of Water is haunting yet somehow heartwarming.
Lars and the Real Girl
Starring Ryan Gosling, Lars and the Real Girl is yet another take on a pure but unconventional love.
Following Lars (Gosling) a kind but socially awkward man who develops a romantic but nonsexual relationship with a sex doll named Bianca. Exploring themes of intimacy and connection, this 2007 film is a comedy underpinned by the heartwarming love of someone who simply seeks the comfort of companionship.
Bittersweet yet hopeful as it hints Lars move on to a real person, Lars and the Real Girl is an oddly cute romance film.
A Ghost Story
This 2017 fantasy romance directed by David Lowery is profound dive into love and what remains of it after death.
Following C, a man killed in a car accident to return as sheet-covered ghost no one can see, A Ghost Story delves into how life goes on after losing someone you love.
A poignant production that offers us a ghost’s point of view, watching their loved one grieve and then slowly move on, the film is much as an exploration of love beyond the realm of life as well as the aching relief of closure.
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
A cult classic dystopian romance Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind is a surreal journey into the impulsivity that accompanies heartbreak.
Frenetic, wild and intensely emotional, the 2004 film follows Jim Carrey‘s Joel and Kate Winslet‘s Clementine as their whirlwind romance shatters under the weight of compulsions. When Clementine erases her memories of him through a futuristic procedure, Joel sets out to do the same before deciding to win her back.
With a surreal, dreamy yet foreboding narrative, the film takes us through a journey of our leads trying to rediscover their love nestled in the deepest corner of their minds and hearts.
A groundbreaking take on the highs and lows of relationships, and the extreme lengths of wanting to protect yourself yet hold tight to the love that defines you, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind is a much-adored film that’s as trippy as it tender.
(Images via IMDb)
Which of these unconventional romance is your favourite? We’d love to know. Keep up with Lyrical Muse to read more of our special series ‘The Valentine’s Edit.’
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