Love, loss, and destiny return to the big screen in One Day: Forever and Always, the highly anticipated follow-up to the beloved 2011 romantic drama One Day. Fourteen years after the original film captured hearts worldwide, this new chapter revisits the timeless themes of how a single day can shape a lifetime, blending nostalgia with a fresh, modern perspective.
Directed by Academy Award® nominee Sarah Polley (Women Talking), One Day: Forever and Always brings together a stellar cast, including returning star Anne Hathaway and rising talent Paul Mescal (Aftersun, Normal People). The film promises to deliver the same emotional depth and poignant storytelling that made the original a classic, while exploring new dimensions of love and connection in today’s world.
Set against the backdrop of Edinburgh, London, and Paris, the story follows two characters whose lives intersect on the same day each year. Hathaway reprises her role as Emma Morley, now a celebrated author reflecting on the choices and moments that defined her life. Mescal stars as Alex, a young musician whose path unexpectedly crosses with Emma’s, reigniting questions about fate, timing, and the enduring power of love.
The film’s narrative alternates between the past and present, weaving together Emma’s memories of her relationship with Dexter Mayhew (played by Jim Sturgess in the original) and her growing connection with Alex. As the story unfolds, audiences are taken on a journey through the highs and lows of love, exploring how the people we meet and the moments we share can leave an indelible mark on our lives.
Polley’s direction brings a fresh, modern sensibility to the film, while staying true to the heart of David Nicholls’ original novel. Nicholls, who also penned the screenplay for the 2011 adaptation, returns as the writer for this new chapter, ensuring the story retains its signature blend of humor, heartbreak, and hope.
The cast also includes Florence Pugh (Little Women, Oppenheimer) as Emma’s confidante and best friend, and Andrew Garfield (Tick, Tick… Boom!) in a pivotal role that ties the past and present together. With its ensemble of acclaimed actors, breathtaking cinematography, and a hauntingly beautiful score by Academy Award® winner Hildur Guðnadóttir (Joker, Women Talking), One Day: Forever and Always is poised to be a cinematic event.
Producer Nina Jacobson (The Hunger Games, Crazy Rich Asians) describes the film as “a love letter to the original while standing on its own as a story about how love evolves over time.” She adds, “It’s about the moments we hold onto, the ones we let go of, and the ones we wish we could relive.”
The film’s poster, which features Hathaway and Mescal in an intimate yet bittersweet pose, perfectly captures the essence of the story. With a split-scene design showing a sunlit cityscape on one side and a rainy evening on the other, the poster symbolizes the passage of time and the duality of love’s joy and sorrow.
One Day: Forever and Always is set to release in theaters this fall, promising to captivate audiences with its heartfelt exploration of love, destiny, and the beauty of fleeting moments. Whether you’re a fan of the original or discovering the story for the first time, this film is sure to leave a lasting impression.
Mark your calendars—because some love stories last a lifetime, even if they only begin with one day.
