| Director | Sigge Eklund |
| Writer | Michaela Hamilton |
| Cast | Felicia Maxime, Edvin Ryding, Zara Larsson, Ida Engvoll, Alva Bratt, Mustafa Al-Mashhadani, Nikki Hanseblad, Emil Hedayat, Olivia Essén |
| Runtime | 99 minutes |
| Genre | Drama |
| Native Title | En Del Av Dig |
| Platform | Netflix |
– No Spoilers –
In this emotional drama film, Agnes, who is envious of your popular and well-loved older sister Julia, faces a trial of emotional upheaval like no other after a freak accident results in Julia’s death. Trying her hardest to come to terms with her conflicting feelings, she must reinvent herself from the inside out in order to move on and find peace.
A Part of You is an emotionally resonant and oddly grim film to watch. From the moment the movie starts, you know you’re in for a tough watch because Agnes, much like some of us, is the underdog who suffers from social anxiety and is awkward around others. Unlike her sister, who is her complete opposite – an extrovert who is loved by everyone and who is dating the man she has a crush on. Agnes’ awkwardness and discomfort are very relatable but are showcased in a very nuanced way.
However, all-star Julia isn’t the perfect child that you’d believe her to be – she’s impulsive and a party girl, much to her detriment. Her explosive emotions aren’t just harmful to herself but also to Noel and Agnes. In the end, that is what ends up being the reason for all of their collective heartbreaks. Agnes’ coming to terms with such a shock and the change that comes to her life is filled with really difficult moments that will leave your heart broken.
The movie is a slow watch, with everything after Julia’s death a very difficult and torturous exploration of grief that will get under your skin. It’s not a movie where a lot happens, but surprisingly, it doesn’t need to be. Agnes’ grief is all-consuming and will leave your heart heavy from the get-go and her character arc will leave you sad but inspired. You relate to her character in more ways than one which is definitely a difficult and confusing watch.
Her relationship with those around her is also an interesting exploration, especially that with Noel. Agnes, who previously had a crush on Noel, must now go through this immense heartbreak with him. The movie explores these complex feelings of loss that these two people share with one another, while the crush rears its head from the back to make things even more complicated. There are several interesting moments in the film which explore these complications, including Agnes slowly meshing into Julia’s friend group and turning into her in different ways. It doesn’t help that these two women are so similar to each other either!
Coming-of-age movies are the rage these days and for good reason; A Part of You proves that if you can do it with tenderness and sensitivity then it can be such an impactful watch. And to its credit, the movie does exactly that and doesn’t try to steer away from the difficult conversations that need to be had when it comes to these age groups and their issues. Of course, there’s the added layer of trauma here, but even with that, the movie does a fantastic job of bringing these stories and moments to light in a raw but empathetic way.
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The best part about the movie, however, is Felicia Maxime whose real, raw and emotional portrayal of Agnes will get under your skin. She is fantastic in every scene and her emotional range is fantastic. It helps that her character is fully fleshed out and the director goes to great efforts to showcase that range in all its glory but it’s Maxime who brings it all to light and makes it look effortless in every frame. Other than her, we have Zara Larsson as Julia, whose brief appearance also leaves an impact because she portrays the extroverted but out-of-control Julia too well. Lastly, Edvin Ryding as Noel, is as fantastic as ever, just like in Young Royals.
A Part of You Review: Final Thoughts
This is definitely a difficult and overwhelming watch that will definitely get under your skin. With fantastic performances and a heartbreaking story to boot, this movie is not for the faint-hearted. If you’re in the mood for something that will leave an impression on you, then this is the movie to aim for.
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