Three years after the first film took the world (or at least Netflix) by storm, the film series adaptation of Jenny Han's To All the Boys I've Loved Before has come to an end. In Always and Forever, Lara Jean Song Covey (Lana Condor) and Peter Kavinsky (Noah Centineo) are heading to college, which introduces a ton of uncertainty to their relationship. The movie mostly stays true to its source material, and watching it feels like reading a love letter -- which is the only way it could be.
Always and Forever boasts a runtime of one hour and 55 minutes, which seems long at first glance, but it works well for incorporating every element of Han's book. Lara Jean spends spring break in Seoul with her family, then goes to New York City for the senior trip; she and Peter have a lot of conversations about college and the future and go to prom together.
Meanwhile, Lara Jean's dad (John Corbett) is getting serious with Trina (Sarayu Rao), Kitty (Anna Cathcart) is growing up, and Lara Jean's friends are figuring out their own college plans. Nearly everyone from the first two movies returns for this last hurrah, of sorts, so Always and Forever feels like a proper send-off. It's obvious how much the filmmakers and cast loved making this series; the heartbreaks are devastating and the joy is ebullient. Everyone is in this, 100 percent, and the viewing experience is emotional and resonant as a result.
Always and Forever has plenty of callbacks to the first two TATBILB movies, which came out in 2018 and 2020. As LJ and Peter remember how their relationship began and the events that got them to this point, fans are treated to memories from the characters' perspectives, which feels more intimate than simply watching these scenes play out on screen.
Even the soundtrack pulls from the first two movies, including a remix of Lauv's "I Like Me Better." Music plays a bigger role in Always and Forever than it did in To All the Boys I've Loved Before or P.S. I Still Love You. It incorporates songs into the plot in a way that encapsulates all of the nostalgia of senior spring and saying goodbye to friends and loved ones, while also trying to hold on to what matters most. The big theme here is change, and change is scary -- but it's also necessary and good.
To be frank, there isn't much to criticize in this movie. Even the pacing feels good, despite the number of locations explored. Honestly, Always and Forever is closely tied with the first movie for impactful storytelling and flow.
It's a love letter to Han's books, to Lara Jean and Peter, to their friends and their families; it's a love letter to the cast, who fell as hard for these characters as the fans, and of course, it's a love letter to the fans themselves. The entire premise of To All the Boys I've Loved Before is about Big Feelings, and the movies have consistently captured that without ever going over the top.
The romantic comedy tropes are aplenty in Always and Forever. It wouldn't feel right without them. However, these don't take away from the authenticity of the performances -- if anything, it gives the cast more to work with as they take these characters on one last journey together. From start to finish, this movie will make fans emotional, which is the whole point. It sucks to say goodbye, but nothing lasts forever... Although, this is a romance, so maybe some things do.
At any rate, Condor holds down the emotional core of the movie, as always, and watching her embody Lara Jean through a massively transformative time in her life is as satisfying as it is bittersweet. She and Centineo are at the heart of this story, but it's always been more about LJ than Peter, since it's from her point of view. Condor's nuanced and stunning performance makes this series, and in Always and Forever, her star shines particularly bright.
Long story short: To All the Boys I've Loved Before: Always and Forever is the perfect send-off for a beloved rom-com trilogy. It's fun and funny and heartbreaking and triumphant. It may also require at least one box of tissues and a pint of really good ice cream for viewing.
Based on the book by Jenny Han, adapted for screen by Katie Lovejoy and directed by Michael Fimognari, To All the Boys I've Loved Before: Always and Forever stars Lana Condor, Noah Centineo, Anna Cathcart, Janel Parrish, Madeleine Arthur, Emilija Baranac, Ross Butler, John Corbett, Sarayu Rao and Trezzo Mahoro. The film premieres Friday, Feb. 12 on Netflix.
A review copy was provided to CBR.
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