"Lost In Starlight" Made Me Weep So Much I Could Barely Write This Article

Note: This article contains spoilers for Lost In Starlight. 

Lost In Starlight is for the hyper-independent person in your life, that's thrown any idea of letting somebody love them in the trash. It's a movie to 'ugly cry' to, to let your guard down for and to watch on your own — unless you want to share tear-soaked snacks with someone.

Set in 2050s Seoul, the animated feature follows hopeful astronaut, Nan-Young (voiced by Kim Tae-ri) and Jay (Hong Kyung) a shy musician, through a new romance, lingering grief and the heartbreaking choice between your soulmate and your lifelong dream.

It's a tearjerker from the start, where we're ~so kindly~ treated to a Christmas time tragedy — the death of Nan-young's astronaut mum on Mars. The unprocessed grief has built high walls around her heart, but also sparked her unwavering ambition to follow in her mother's footsteps.

Jay unexpectedly walks into her life to show her that there's space for more than her career. Their relationship is a reminder that you can't choose when someone gets to love and support you — you just have to make way for it when it arrives, even when you feel undeserving.

Nan-young's impact on his life is easily summed up with this quote: "Somewhere in the starlight...there’s someone who’s forever and always...cheering you on". Her belief in Jay gives him the strength to find his voice, so he too can fulfil his destiny.

While its backdrops are set in the near (but distant) future, the themes of loss, change and love throughout the film feel more timeless. Emotional impact is shown through plays on light and shadow, as well as colour palette.

Though the lessons are weaved in with more of gentle touch, every loose end comes to a head in the last 30 minutes of the movie, which will likely leave you red-eyed, snotty-nosed and reaching for tissues. Apologies in advance.

It's a balancing act between the darkness of grief and the lightheartedness of romance.

Lost In Starlight packs the emotion of a 20-episode K-Drama into 96 minutes of visual goodness with a soundtrack that makes you want to text someone you shouldn't. Watch it now on Netflix.

Give yourself some time after watching — it's wonderfully...a lot. Here's an accurate representation of me when I finished the movie: 

Which movies wreck but also heal your soul?

Share it down in the comments below!