Preparation for the Next Life is the kind of quiet, underrated gem you stumble upon almost by accident and then carry with you for days.
Directed with empathy by Bing Liu, the film follows two broken souls drifting through New York City. A Uyghur immigrant woman scraping by in Chinatown’s underground kitchens, and a young American soldier haunted by his return from war. It is a sad story, but never manipulative. No spoilers, just see the film!
The real power of the film lies in the performances. Sebiye Behtiyar is quietly devastating. There is a constant sense of exhaustion and dignity in her eyes, as if survival itself has become an act of resistance. Opposite her, Fred Hechinger delivers one of the best performances of the year, embodying a man emotionally stranded long after the war is over.
Bing Liu’s direction is intimate and humane, letting the city breathe around his characters while never losing sight of their inner loneliness. The film understands how displacement, trauma and love can exist side by side, without offering easy resolutions.
The lead actress is beyond words mesmerizing in the film and you can’t stop from hoping and praying for her. The script is so effective at telling the truth.
I found the film, by accident and it should not be that hard for viewers to find. Do yourself a real favour and try to find it. It’s a masterpiece!
The mosque scene and the Imam scene are quietly devastating. They carry a heavy, aching sadness without ever spelling it out. A desperate need for belonging.
Discovering a film like this feels special. It reminds you why cinema still matters. Not for spectacle, but for moments of fragile connection between people who feel forgotten by the world.