Welcoming a new year is always a bit daunting, which is why I enjoy a comforting night in, wrapped in warmth with a charming movie. As we say goodbye to 2025, it feels like the perfect time to stream a heartwarming flick that sets the right mindset for what’s ahead. I usually gravitate toward romantic dramas, where the emotional messaging tends to resonate most.
“Before We Go” is the movie I’ll be watching as we head into 2026. This romantic drama, starring and directed by Chris Evans, is a bittersweet little story about the unpredictability of life and the strength found in being vulnerable. While the central focus is on the growing romance between two charming characters, it’s full of resonant themes that I (and I’m sure many others) especially appreciate.
Since it’s available on Prime Video, there’s no better time to add “Before We Go” to your watchlist. Here’s why this romantic drama is worth streaming for New Year’s Eve.
What is ‘Before We Go’ about?
“Before We Go” follows Brooke Dalton (Alice Eve), a young woman in Manhattan who misses the last train to Boston and then has her purse stolen, leaving her stranded and without money or a working phone late at night. While at Grand Central Terminal, she meets Nick Vaughan (Chris Evans), a struggling street musician who offers to help her get home.
Their plans to catch a ride to Boston repeatedly fall through since Nick’s credit cards are declined, and they don’t have enough cash for a cab or bus. The pair spend the night wandering the city in search of Brooke’s missing belongings, tracking leads, visiting old friends, and even crashing a wedding reception. Along the way, they share more about themselves and learn new details about each other’s lives.
‘Before We Go’ is all about confronting life’s unexpected turns
I feel like it’s natural these days to check a movie’s Rotten Tomatoes score before streaming it, and in this case, you’ll be met with some pretty ugly numbers. But I can assure you that “Before We Go” doesn’t deserve those ratings at all. I have a feeling critics were put off by its slower pace and lack of the big gestures and dramatic confessions typical of the genre, but to me, that’s exactly what gives the movie its cute charm.
Brooke and Nick don’t exactly start with chemistry (after all, they’re complete strangers thrown together in a stressful situation), but the time they spend together over a single night sparks a genuinely charming connection. While their budding romance forms the backbone of the movie, what stayed with me most was its focus on real human connection and the idea of seizing opportunities whenever you can. The movie shows why it pays to speak your mind, take chances, and confront what you’ve been avoiding.
I’m not usually one for cheesy messaging, or even for picking up on a movie’s deeper themes, but at this time of year, I think it’s worth watching something that can shift your mindset, even just a little.
As for the movie itself, “Before We Go” is a charming little romantic drama that doesn’t require much brainpower but holds enough attention to make you care about the characters. Evans’ directorial debut may not be perfect (the script meanders at times) but it’s still an emotionally honest romance with plenty of charm and a delightful rapport between Evans and Eve. The fact that it all unfolds over a single night makes the ending even more impactful.
“Before We Go” ends up being a charming look at missed chances and what it’s like to start over. Nick and Brooke, two very different people, spend a night learning from each other, growing in small but meaningful ways. Their blossoming romance feels real, but the movie is just as much about how connecting with someone else can help you see yourself differently.
For me, “Before We Go” is really about how life can throw unexpected situations and people into your path, and how embracing them can lead to insight, growth, or closure. Heading into 2026 feeling a little uplifted and reminded of that seems like the perfect way to start the year!
Stream "Before We Go" on Prime Video now.
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