The Other Way Around

2024 / Dir. Jonás Trueba / Spanish / 114 minutes

In disassembling the mechanics of the rom-com and repurposing them as a quasi-takedown of conventional romantic storytelling, The Other Way Around presents a deft understanding of the complexities of love. Alex and Ale decide to celebrate the end of their decade-and-a-half-long relationship with a party and are met at every turn by surprise, confusion, amusement and sadness as they tell their friends and family. Typically, we attach certain expectations to relationships, defining what romantic connections should and should not emblematize, but director Jonás Trueba (who co-wrote the movie with his two leads) sought to challenge that traditional way of thinking. Our characters flicker between moments of humor and heartache as they traverse uncharted waters, trying to take control of their collapsing relationship and own the narrative, striving to move forward while finding themselves unable to let go.