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Before Sunset

Before Sunset

What if you had a second chance with the one that got away?

200480 minRMidcredits score: 99th percentile of all films
Director
Richard Linklater
Starring
Ethan Hawke, Julie Delpy, Vernon Dobtcheff, Louise Lemoine Torrès

Nine years later, Jesse travels across Europe giving readings from a book he wrote about the night he spent in Vienna with Celine. After his reading in Paris, Celine finds him, and they spend part of the day together before Jesse has to again leave for a flight. They are both in relationships now, and Jesse has a son, but as their strong feelings for each other start to return, both confess a longing for more.

Where to watch

Where can I watch Before Sunset?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove lists Before Sunset streaming on The Roku Channel (free) and Tubi (free) and to rent or buy on Apple TV and Prime Video.

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Highlights

What stands out about Before Sunset?

Before Sunset earns 11 badges, led by Top 1% of films and Modern classic.

Show 3 more
  • Rank
  • Reception
  • Craft and mood
  • Awards and box office
  • Content

Reception

Is Before Sunset worth watching?

Before Sunset's Midcredits score is the 99th percentile of all films, from 1.3M ratings across 6 sources. 88% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

99th percentile

Better received than 99% of films

99th percentile among Drama99th percentile among 2000s
Acclaim (how much people like it)98th
Approval (how many liked it)97th

83 /100

98th percentile of all films

99th percentile among Drama99th percentile among 2000s

Critics 91 · Audience 83

Critics liked it more than audiences did.

Rating distribution

Ratings pile up at 9–10 with almost no detractors — near-universal love.

88% liked it

97th percentile of all films

97th percentile among Drama97th percentile among 2000s
88% rated it 7–1012% rated it 1–6

Critics 95% · Audience 91%

On Rotten Tomatoes, critics and audiences approve at similar rates.

Awards

0 Oscars won · 1 Oscar noms · 9 wins / 30 noms overall

  • NominatedAcademy Awards· Best Writing, Adapted Screenplay

99th percentile

1.3M ratings across platforms

99th percentile among Drama98th percentile among 2000s
TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Down 13% in 30 days

Box office

Budget$2.7M
Opening weekend$219K
Domestic gross$5.8M
Worldwide gross$16M

Returned 6.1× its budget — 88th percentile earner in its genre.

What reviewers say

Common ground

Before Sunset is a talk-driven, real-time romance that follows two characters reuniting after nine years.

Fans praised

  • natural, lived-in performances by Hawke and Delpy
  • mature, poignant dialogue that feels honest and effortless
  • real-time structure and Parisian atmosphere create immersive intimacy

Detractors panned

  • conversations feel tedious and self-indulgent
  • characters are unlikable and their complaints wear thin

What stands out

Acting90

natural, unforced performances that blur actor and character

Ending90

ambiguous but deeply satisfying final moment

DialogueDivisive88

witty, natural conversation that reveals deep emotion

Emotional impactDivisive85

evokes deep nostalgia, regret, and hope

Atmosphere82

Parisian walk-and-talk feels warmly authentic

CharactersDivisive75

realistically flawed, older and wiser but sometimes grating

Originality75

bold real-time sequel nine years later

Plot and story70

simple premise of a single afternoon reunion

Preferred by

No notable difference between any of the groups: each pair ranks it within 10 percentile points.

  • Women vs men 5 points apart
  • Under-30s vs over-30s 1 point apart
  • Critics vs users 3 points apart
  • US vs non-US 1 point apart

Watch experience

What is Before Sunset like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

Romantic: browse every movie of this kind

Watch this when you are in the mood for a love story.

It is gentle, takes its time and leaves you hopeful. Skip it when you want things to move fast.

ToneFeelDemandwhat the answer rests onexact position · filled zone: the category

What it asks of you

Patience.

What it feels like

Romantic.

The answer rests on this: Moods
RomanticMelancholicContemplative
Heaviest: late
Wry humor: Amused and slightly dry about it.
Register
WarmRomantic · 8% of films
Told as
Three-act: Setup, confrontation, resolution — the default Hollywood shape.
ToneThe film treats its characters and their emotions with unadorned sincerity, letting natural conversation carry the weight.
The rideThe film holds a gentle, introspective mood that builds toward a quietly emotional conclusion.
StructureThe story unfolds in linear chronological order as the characters walk and talk through a single afternoon.

How it leaves you

what you carry away

Hopeful.

HopefulWistful · 8% of films
Why it leaves you this wayLeaves you believing that love can rekindle even after years apart, mixed with a gentle sadness for lost time.
How it ends · evidence
Ambiguous ending

Story archetype

where it sits among all films
Monster — 21% of films. A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated.Rags — 3% of films. A rise from lowliness to fortune, status, or recognition.Quest — 10% of films. A journey toward a defined objective, with companions and obstacles.Voyage — 4% of films. Into a strange world and back again, changed.Comedy — 11% of films. Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony.Tragedy — 9% of films. A flaw or fixation drives the protagonist to ruin.Rebirth — 13% of films. A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed.Mystery — 7% of films. A question drives the story — who did it, what happened, what is real — until it is answered.No archetype — 22% of filmsPredator — 6% of films. A creature or killer hunts the protagonists (Jaws, Alien).Tyrant — 6% of films. A human villain holds power over the hero's world (Die Hard).Invasion — 2% of films. An external force attacks the home or world (Independence Day).Oppressive state — 2% of films. A government, its agencies or a secret faction inside them is the monster (V for Vendetta).Corporate villainy — 1% of films. A company or its bosses are the monster (Erin Brockovich).Institutional injustice — 1% of films. A court, prison, police force, school or church is itself the enemy (Spotlight).Class system — under 1% of films. The gap between rich and poor, or a rigid hierarchy, is the monster (Parasite).Technology turns — under 1% of films. Technology people rely on becomes the threat (The Terminator).Inner demon — 1% of films. The monster is within — addiction, illness, a dark double.Underdog triumph — 2% of films. Rise through competition or contest (Rocky).Social ascent — under 1% of films. A climb in class or status (Pretty Woman).Fame and fortune — under 1% of films. An artistic or showbiz rise (A Star Is Born).Rise and fall — under 1% of films. Wealth or power gained, self lost (Scarface).Hidden worth revealed — under 1% of films. The protagonist's true value finally recognized.Treasure hunt — 1% of films. Retrieve an object of value (Raiders of the Lost Ark).Rescue — 4% of films. Retrieve or save a person (Saving Private Ryan).Mission — 5% of films. Accomplish or destroy a defined objective (Mission: Impossible).Journey home — under 1% of films. The goal is getting back (Finding Nemo).Pilgrimage — 1% of films. The journey itself transforms; the destination is symbolic.Portal fantasy — under 1% of films. Transported into another world (The Wizard of Oz).Fish out of water — 2% of films. Displaced into an unfamiliar social world (Elf).Survival ordeal — 1% of films. Trapped in a hostile environment, fighting back (Cast Away).Time displacement — under 1% of films. Unstuck in time (Back to the Future).Descent — 1% of films. A night-journey into an underworld or subculture (After Hours).Romantic comedy — 4% of films. Lovers kept apart by confusion, united at last.Comedy of errors — 3% of films. Mistaken identity or misunderstanding drives the plot.Farce — 2% of films. Escalating absurd chaos and coincidence (The Hangover).Buddy comedy — 1% of films. A mismatched pair forced together (Rush Hour).Comedy of manners — 1% of films. Social codes and class satirized (Clueless).Hubris — 1% of films. Pride or ambition invites the fall (There Will Be Blood).Obsession — 2% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Corruption arc — 2% of films. Step-by-step moral decay (The Godfather).Doomed love — 2% of films. Love destroyed by circumstance (Brokeback Mountain).Crushed by fate — 3% of films. Destroyed by forces beyond the protagonist's control.Redemption — 3% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Healing — 5% of films. Recovery from grief or trauma (Good Will Hunting).Liberation — 2% of films. Breaking free of a confining life (Room).Second chance — 2% of films. A stagnant life re-opened to love or purpose (Groundhog Day).Puzzle — 1% of films. A clue-by-clue puzzle you can try to solve before the reveal (Knives Out, Clue).Investigation — 5% of films. A long pursuit of the truth that may never be fully solved (Zodiac, Memories of Murder).Enigma — 2% of films. The mystery is what is real, or what is actually happening (Mulholland Drive).Rebirth
Every story archetype, clockwise from the top
  • Monster 21%: Predator 6% · Tyrant 6% · Invasion 2% · Oppressive state 2% · Corporate villainy 1% · Institutional injustice 1% · Class system under 1% · Technology turns under 1% · Inner demon 1%
  • Rags 3%: Underdog triumph 2% · Social ascent under 1% · Fame and fortune under 1% · Rise and fall under 1% · Hidden worth revealed under 1%
  • Quest 10%: Treasure hunt 1% · Rescue 4% · Mission 5% · Journey home under 1% · Pilgrimage 1%
  • Voyage 4%: Portal fantasy under 1% · Fish out of water 2% · Survival ordeal 1% · Time displacement under 1% · Descent 1%
  • Comedy 11%: Romantic comedy 4% · Comedy of errors 3% · Farce 2% · Buddy comedy 1% · Comedy of manners 1%
  • Tragedy 9%: Hubris 1% · Obsession 2% · Corruption arc 2% · Doomed love 2% · Crushed by fate 3%
  • Rebirth 13% (this title): Redemption 3% · Healing 5% · Liberation 2% · Second chance 2% (this title)
  • Mystery 7%: Puzzle 1% · Investigation 5% · Enigma 2%
  • No archetype 22%

Rebirth: A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed. · Second chance: A stagnant life re-opened to love or purpose (Groundhog Day).

13% of films fit this archetype

A loose fit — the map only half-holds this one.

Why this archetypeTwo former lovers re-encounter after nine years, re-igniting old feelings and considering a new beginning; their walk across Paris drives the story.

What it's about

7 groups · 53 themes
Bonds — 27% of filmsSelf — 22% of filmsPower — 7% of filmsMorality — 16% of filmsSurvival — 15% of filmsSociety — 9% of filmsIdeas — 5% of filmsRomantic love — 15% of filmsMarriage — 2% of filmsFamily bonds — 21% of filmsParenthood — 2% of filmsFriendship — 9% of filmsLoyalty — 4% of filmsIdentity — 14% of filmsComing of age — 5% of filmsAging — under 1% of filmsSelf-worth — 7% of filmsAmbition — 7% of filmsPurpose — 9% of filmsMemory — 3% of filmsObsession — 3% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Power — 2% of filmsCorruption — 3% of filmsGreed — 3% of filmsClass — 3% of filmsOppression — 4% of filmsFreedom — 5% of filmsJustice — 13% of filmsDuty — 2% of filmsRevenge — 4% of filmsGuilt — 3% of filmsRedemption — 6% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Forgiveness — 1% of filmsSacrifice — 4% of filmsBetrayal — 5% of filmsDeception — 9% of filmsSurvival — 17% of filmsWar — 1% of filmsViolence — 4% of filmsMortality — 2% of filmsGrief — 6% of filmsTrauma — 7% of filmsMental illness — 1% of filmsAddiction — 1% of filmsIllness and disability — under 1% of filmsCommunity — 14% of films. Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Isolation — 5% of filmsPrejudice — 3% of filmsDisplacement — 1% of filmsFaith — 3% of filmsTradition vs change — 2% of filmsFame — 3% of filmsLegacy — 4% of filmsFate — 1% of filmsFree will — under 1% of filmsTruth — 4% of filmsHope — 5% of filmsNature — 2% of filmsArt — 4% of filmsTechnology — 1% of filmsSelfRomanticlove
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 27% (this title): Romantic love 15% (this title) · Marriage 2% · Family bonds 21% · Parenthood 2% · Friendship 9% · Loyalty 4%
  • Self 22%: Identity 14% · Coming of age 5% · Aging under 1% · Self-worth 7% · Ambition 7% · Purpose 9% (this title) · Memory 3% (this title) · Obsession 3%
  • Power 7%: Power 2% · Corruption 3% · Greed 3% · Class 3% · Oppression 4% · Freedom 5%
  • Morality 16%: Justice 13% · Duty 2% · Revenge 4% · Guilt 3% · Redemption 6% · Forgiveness 1% · Sacrifice 4% · Betrayal 5% · Deception 9%
  • Survival 15%: Survival 17% · War 1% · Violence 4% · Mortality 2% · Grief 6% · Trauma 7% · Mental illness 1% · Addiction 1% · Illness and disability under 1%
  • Society 9%: Community 14% · Isolation 5% · Prejudice 3% · Displacement 1% · Faith 3% · Tradition vs change 2% · Fame 3% · Legacy 4%
  • Ideas 5%: Fate 1% · Free will under 1% · Truth 4% · Hope 5% · Nature 2% · Art 4% · Technology 1%

Bonds

Romantic love · 15% of filmsPurpose · 9% of filmsMemory · 3% of films
Interrogates its theme: Questions its theme without settling the answer.Intimate stakes: Consequences reach a person or a household.Dual lead
How it treats its themeThe film explores whether a fleeting romantic connection can be rekindled and what it means to find direction in life through that bond.
StanceThe film questions whether romantic love can survive time and circumstance, without settling on a simple answer.

The world

ContemporaryUrbanIn transitRealistic
JazzOrchestral classicalSupportive music · original score
Settinga day in Paris: bookshop, café, park, riverboat
MusicThe guitar-led waltz theme recurs romantically, mirroring the leads' dancing around their feelings.

Content guide

Is Before Sunset okay for kids?

R

Before Sunset is rated R: “Rated R for language and sexual references” (MPAA). As of September 28, 2026, Midcredits content scores put its violence at minimal (3/100), sexual content at mild (32/100), language at moderate (52/100), drug and alcohol content at mild (30/100) and frightening material at minimal (6/100). Overall it is heavier than 1% of R-rated films.

Ratings in 21 other countries
  • UK15
  • AustraliaM
  • Germany0
  • JapanPG12
  • South Korea15
  • Brazil12
  • ArgentinaATP
  • AustriaAA
  • BelgiumAL
  • Czechia12+
  • DenmarkA
  • FinlandS
  • Greece16
  • Hungary16
  • NetherlandsAL
  • Norway15
  • Poland16
  • PortugalM/12
  • Spain12
  • Switzerland0
  • Taiwan保護級
Overall
Mild · all five categories
Heavier than 16% of all filmsHeavier than 1% of R-rated films
Violence & Gore
None / Minimal
light for an R-rated film
heavier than 1%
Sex & Nudity
Mild · audience split: No severity level holds a majority of voters
typical for an R-rated film
heavier than 27%
Profanity
Moderate · audience split: No severity level holds a majority of voters
light for an R-rated film
heavier than 24%
Alcohol & Drugs
Mild
light for an R-rated film
heavier than 16%
Frightening / Intense
None / Minimal
light for an R-rated film
heavier than 1%

Point along a line to see a well-known title at that level.

Nothing here is extreme. The strongest element is language, heavier than 24% of R-rated films.

Source: Midcredits content scores, 0 (none) to 100 (severe) per category, with each standing ranked against other films that have them.

What content warnings does Before Sunset have?

MovieCove's classifier found no content warnings in Before Sunset's parents' guide notes; a missing warning is not a guarantee of absence.

Cast and crew

Who is in Before Sunset?

Cast

4 of the 10 billed cast had never appeared on screen; 1 of the cast already had the standing of a top-10% working actor.

Ethan Hawke
as Jesse
Oscar nominee: Academy Award nomination — Best Writing, Adapted ScreenplayTop draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Julie Delpy
as Celine
Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Vernon Dobtcheff
as Bookstore Manager
Career best: Their highest-reaching film role by billing, audience size and rating.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Louise Lemoine Torrès
as Journalist #1
Screen debut: No prior film or television role.
Rodolphe Pauly
as Journalist #2
Mariane Plasteig
as Waitress
Screen debut: No prior film or television role.
Diabolo
as Philippe
Screen debut: No prior film or television role.
Denis Evrard
as Boat Attendant
Screen debut: No prior film or television role.
Albert Delpy
as Man at Grill
Marie Pillet
as Woman in Courtyard
Career best: Their highest-reaching film role by billing, audience size and rating.

Crew

More like this

What are movies like Before Sunset?

Movies like Before Sunset include Before Midnight (2013), Before Sunrise (1995) and Two Days in Paris (2007). Of the 12 closest matches, two are films by Richard Linklater, and several are chamber dramas.

Balanced: every group counts the same, and production only breaks ties.

8 of these 12 share its world: Paris. Those cards say what else they share.

Explore by

What else shares a premise, people or place with Before Sunset?

2.4K other films share the rarest tag below, relationship: soulmates separated. Each tag opens Browse with the films that share it.