5 Richard Linklater love stories that'll tug at your heart
What's the story
Richard Linklater is one of the finest filmmakers in the business. No one can tell a story like him. The way he captures human relationships is unmatched. His romance films often deal with love, time, and connection in a way that just makes sense. Here's a look at five of his most heartwarming romance films and what makes them special.
Film noir
'Hit Man' delivers romance with noir twists
Linklater's Hit Man blends romantic comedy and film noir with surprising ease, creating one of his most entertaining works to date. Glen Powell dazzles in a breakout performance, effortlessly balancing charm, wit, and intensity. The film's breezy pacing, sexy energy, and character-driven storytelling mark a thrilling return to form for Linklater. Following mixed outings, Hit Man proves the director still knows how to captivate—this time with style, humor, and undeniable heat.
Paris reunion
'Before Sunset': Rekindling old flames
In Before Sunset, the story continues nine years later from Before Sunrise. The protagonists meet again in Paris, rekindling their old flame but mindful of how much the years have changed their lives. This movie explores nostalgia and missed chances as they deal with the emotions they have for each other in the setting of a gorgeous city.
Greek odyssey
'Before Midnight': Love's realities
Before Midnight takes the journey forward another nine years, digging deeper into the complexities of long-term relationships. Set in Greece, this film offers an honest look at the challenges of love, as well as the joys. It explores how time impacts relationships yet keeps an authentic look at the intimacy shared by two people who have grown together over time.
Sci-fi
'A Scanner Darkly' dives deep into paranoia, addiction, and identity
Linklater's A Scanner Darkly blends sci-fi noir with haunting animation to deliver a surreal, thought-provoking experience. Keanu Reeves stars as an undercover cop lost in a maze of drugs and dual identities, with Winona Ryder and a brilliantly unpredictable Robert Downey Jr. rounding out the cast. The rotoscope animation gives the film a dreamlike intensity, amplifying its exploration of surveillance, addiction, and societal decay. It's one of Linklater's most gripping, underrated, and visually bold projects to date.
Motel Confessions
'Tape': Unraveling past relationships
Tape explores unresolved tension between three former high school friends, who meet after a decade in a motel room. This drama-thriller hybrid reveals secrets and past romantic involvements, resulting in shocking revelations. These revelations test their once thought-unbreakable bonds, making them face their fragile relationships head-on.