Noah meets Avery at a Halloween party and falls in love but gets friend-zoned. 3 years later, she’s engaged to someone else. Noah returns in a time machine to fix things.
When We First Met (2018)
When We First Met (2018)
Movie Review: When We First Met (2018) – A Charming Time-Loop Rom-Com
Directed by: Ari Sandel
Starring: Adam Devine, Alexandra Daddario, Shelley Hennig, Robbie Amell
Genre: Romantic Comedy, Fantasy
Runtime: 1h 37m
Plot Summary:
When We First Met follows Noah Ashby (Adam Devine), a witty but unlucky-in-love guy who’s been stuck in the friend zone for years. He’s head over heels for Avery (Alexandra Daddario), a woman he met at a Halloween party three years earlier. After watching her get engaged to another man, Noah stumbles upon a magical photo booth that allows him to travel back in time to the night they met. He uses this opportunity—again and again—to try and win her heart by altering his actions and personality each time. But as he continues to relive that night in different ways, Noah learns that true love isn’t always about perfect timing—it’s about being the right person.
Review:
When We First Met offers a fun and heartwarming twist on the traditional romantic comedy. The time-loop premise is familiar but cleverly used, allowing for humorous scenarios and emotional growth. Adam Devine shines in the lead role, balancing slapstick humor with vulnerability. His comedic timing keeps the film engaging, while Alexandra Daddario brings warmth and grace to Avery.
The movie’s strongest moments come from its exploration of self-discovery. While it starts as a quest to get the girl, Noah’s journey becomes more about understanding what love really means—and who he’s meant to be. Supporting performances by Shelley Hennig and Robbie Amell add depth to the story, preventing it from feeling one-dimensional.
The direction and pacing are tight, and the tone stays light without undercutting the emotional beats. However, some viewers might find the predictability of the plot a bit too comfortable, and the magical photo booth is never fully explained—though that’s easy to overlook in the context of a romantic fantasy.
Final Verdict:
When We First Met is a charming, feel-good film perfect for fans of time-travel rom-coms like About Time and Groundhog Day. It’s not groundbreaking, but it’s sweet, funny, and surprisingly thoughtful. It reminds us that sometimes, love isn’t about changing the past—it’s about becoming the best version of yourself for the future.
Rating: 7.5/10
