virgin love story movie review

• Movie Schedules
• OTT and TV News

Most Viewed Articles

• Tamannaah Bhatia’s Aranmanai 4 seals its OTT platform
• Suriya44: Suriya’s first look from Karthik Subbaraj’s film is splendid
• Mega click: Ram Charan meets Chiranjeevi on the sets of Vishwambhara
• Ranveer-Prashanth Varma film – Mythri Movie Makers face the losses
• Shankar – During Indian shoot, Kamal sir asked me to plan a sequel
• Simbu – Handling Indian 2, Indian 3, and Game Changer at a time is not easy
• Shah Rukh Khan starts shooting for his next
• Love Me to make its OTT debut soon?
• Shankar reveals the risky scene performed by Kamal Haasan for Indian 2
• Buzz: Kalki 2898 AD trailer announcement around the corner

Recent Posts

• “కల్కి” లో నటించిన ప్రముఖులు వీరే!?
• మనమే ప్రీ రిలీజ్ ఈవెంట్ వెన్యూ ఇదే!?
• Strong Buzz: Venue locked for Manamey pre-release event
• నాగ్ అశ్విన్ మన కంటికి కనపడేంత చిన్న మనిషైతే కాదు – రామ జోగయ్య శాస్త్రి!
• Photos : Gorgeous Kajal Aggarwal
• “ఖుషీ” రాకుండానే “ది ఫ్యామిలీ స్టార్” బుల్లితెర పైకి!

Release Date : February 18, 2022

123telugu.com Rating : 2.25/5

Starring: Vikram Sahidev, Sowmika Pandyan, Rishika Khanna, Raghu Kumar Karumanchi, Rocket Raghava, R.K. Mama

Director: Pradip B.Atluri

Producer’s: Sirisha Lagadapati, Sridhar Lagadapati

Music Director: Achu Rajamani

Cinematography : Anish Tharun Kumar

Editor: Garry BH

Son of Lagadapati Sridhar, Vikram Sahidev is well known to Tollywood as a child artist. Now, he is making his debut as a hero. His new movie, Virgin Story, directed by Pradip B. Atluri has hit the screens today. Let’s see how it is.

Teenager Priyanshi (Sowmika Pandian) finds out that her boyfriend has been cheating on her for a long time. The distressed young girl wants to take revenge on her ex and decides to hook up with an unknown guy. She chooses Vikram (Vikram Sahidev), a college dropout but an excellent graphic designer. Together, they both search for a safe place for a one-night stand. Did they finally hook up? What problems did they face? To know the answers, you need to watch the movie on the big screens.

Plus Points

Vikram Sahidev acted good and in some scenes, his performance was so good to watch. He has impressed the audiences with his dancing skills as well. Coming to the heroine, Sowmika Pandiyan, she looks pretty good and her performance is also fine. Snehal Kamath’s role is good and she gave her best.

The director showcased the thought process of the teenagers quite well in various situations. Some dialogues about love are good. Technically, the movie has rich production values, which you can witness on the screen. The songs are good to listen to.

Minus Points

During the promotions, the makers have said that the movie’s story is virgin and also mentioned that audience might find the meaning of true love. The point is okay but the director has failed to narrate it in a good manner. If he could have worked more on the script, Virgin Story would have become a good movie.

On the other hand, the comedy scenes didn’t work well. Though the runtime is a saviour, the movie is filled with so many unnecessary characters and scenes associated with them.

Some scenes test the audience’s patience. Virgin Story could have been a good movie if some characters and their actions were realistic.

Technical Aspects

Music director, Achu Rajamani, needs to be appreciated for composing good tracks and background score. The camera work by Anish Tharun Kumar is okay. Production values are top-notch as all the big money spent is showcased on screen. Editing by Garry BH is nice and crisp.

On the whole, Virgin Story tells us a story that audiences are already aware of. The lead pair’s performance and Achu’s music are basic assets. Youngsters might connect to this movie as it offers relatable elements. Barring that, there is nothing new that is showcased here.

123telugu.com Rating: 2.25/5

Reviewed by 123telugu Team

Articles that might interest you:

• Review : Janhvi Kapoor’s Mr. & Mrs. Mahi – Hit wicket by tedium
• Review : Gangs of Godavari – Half-baked action drama
• Review : Bhaje Vaayu Vegam – Timepass thriller
• Review : Gam Gam Ganesha – Misses the mark
• OTT Review: Panchayat Season 3 – Hindi web series on Prime Video
• Review : Love Me If You Dare – Dull and complicated
• Review : Raju Yadav – Disappointing romantic drama
• OTT Review: Baahubali: Crown of Blood – Telugu dubbed series on Hotstar

Ad : Teluguruchi - Learn.. Cook.. Enjoy the Tasty food

Virgin Story

Where to Watch

Vikram Sahidev (Vikram) Sowmika Pandiyan (Priyanshi) Rishika Khanna (Minty) Vineeth Bhavisetty (Amrinder Singh) Snehal Kamath (Lizzy) Anand Thakur (Piyush) Jayasri Rachakonda (Bama) Abhijit Deshpande (Shahman Khan) Raghu Kumar Karumanchi (Sugar Daddy) Jeeva (Sub Inspector)

Pradip Atluri

After catching her boyfriend cheating on her, a woman seeks to get over him by hooking up with a stranger, but not without enduring a comedic series of events.

Recommendations

Advertisement

Thanks For Rating

Reminder successfully set, select a city.

• Nashik Times
• Aurangabad Times
• Badlapur Times

You can change your city from here. We serve personalized stories based on the selected city

• Edit Profile
• Briefs Movies TV Web Series Lifestyle Trending Medithon Visual Stories Music Events Videos Theatre Photos Gaming

Varun Dhawan and Natasha Dalal blessed with a baby GIRL, confirms grandfather David Dhawan!

Anushka Sharma spends quality time with Virat Kohli in New York ahead of T20 World cup

Fans extend wishes as Varun Dhawan and his wife Natasha Dalal welcome their first child, a baby girl!

Lawrence Bishnoi and Goldie Brar gangs were planning to use minors to kill Salman Khan: Police

Karan Johar is over the moon as Varun Dhawan and Natasha Dalal welcome a baby girl; Arjun Kapoor says 'Papa number 1 casting locked'

Dhawan family reaches hospital as Varun Dhawan and Natasha Dalal gear up to welcome their first child

Movie Reviews

The Strangers: Chapter ...

Fast Charlie

Jim Henson: Idea Man

Mr. & Mrs. Mahi

House Of Lies

Dedh Bigha Zameen

SAVI: A Bloody Housewif...

Chhota Bheem And The Cu...

Barah x Barah

• Movie Listings

Puja Joshi’s most charming pics

Top 10 unmarried Bhojpuri actresses

Janhvi Kapoor raises the style bar in World Cup trophy embroidered custom denim co-ord set

In photos: Aditi Rao Hydari and Siddharth's Tuscany vacation

Journey of a bride ft. Wamiqa Gabbi’s photoshoot

Stunning travel moments with Saniya Iyappan

It's a Rose Day for Nabha Natesh

Sai Tamhankar's Stunning Looks

Tollywood stars soar across borders and beyond

Meenakshi Chaudhary's extraordinary pictures will mesmerize you

Chhota Bheem And The C...

Marriage.com

Boonie Bears: Mumma Ki...

The Strangers: Chapter...

Imaginary Friends

Furiosa: A Mad Max Sag...

The Garfield Movie

The Three Musketeers -...

Kingdom Of The Planet ...

Boonie Bears: Guardian...

The Fall Guy

Bujji At Anupatti

Konjam Pesinaal Yenna

Pagalariyaan

Dandupalayam

Kudumba Sthreeyum Kunj...

Swakaryam Sambhava Bah...

CID Ramachandran Retd....

Sureshanteyum Sumalath...

Guruvayoorambala Naday...

Kattis Gang

Marivillin Gopurangal

Moorane Krishnappa

Switch { Case N:

Revenge Of Dharani

Usire Usire

Khelaghar Bandhte Lege...

Tahader Katha

Nayan Rahasya

Eta Amader Golpo

Arokkhoniya

Bengal Police Chapter ...

Mehkma Chhadeyan Da

Allahr Vres

Nanak Naam Jahaz Hai

Rose Rosy Te Gulab

Je Jatt Vigarh Gya

Shinda Shinda No Papa

Pind Aala School

Tabaahi Reloaded

Kaale Angrej

Karmavirayan

Swargandharva Sudhir P...

Dil Lagal Dupatta Wali...

Mahadev Ka Gorakhpur

Nirahua The Leader

Tu Nikla Chhupa Rustam...

Rowdy Rocky

Mental Aashiq

Raja Ki Aayegi Baaraat...

Roshani Confused Girl

S2G2 - A Romantic Miss...

Insurance Jimmy

Maru Mann Taru Thayu

Life Ek Settlement

31st December

Jajabara 2.0

Operation 12/17

Dui Dune Panch

• Virgin Story

Your Rating

Write a review (optional).

• Movie Listings /

Virgin Story UA

Would you like to review this movie?

Cast & Crew

Latest Reviews

Jurassic World: Chaos Theory

Paashbalish

Virgin Story - Official Trailer

Users' Reviews

Refrain from posting comments that are obscene, defamatory or inflammatory, and do not indulge in personal attacks, name calling or inciting hatred against any community. Help us delete comments that do not follow these guidelines by marking them offensive . Let's work together to keep the conversation civil.

• What is the release date of 'Virgin Story'? Release date of Vikram Sahidev and Sowmika Pandiyan starrer 'Virgin Story' is 2022-02-18.
• Who are the actors in 'Virgin Story'? 'Virgin Story' star cast includes Vikram Sahidev, Sowmika Pandiyan and Rishika Khanna.
• Who is the director of 'Virgin Story'? 'Virgin Story' is directed by Pradip Atluri.
• Who is the producer of 'Virgin Story'? 'Virgin Story' is produced by Sirisha Lagadapati,Sridhar Lagadapati.
• What is Genre of 'Virgin Story'? 'Virgin Story' belongs to 'Comedy,Romance' genre.
• In Which Languages is 'Virgin Story' releasing? 'Virgin Story' is releasing in Telugu.

Visual Stories

​Swag looks of Rajayyappa​

​Priyanka Chopra's detanning recipe made with kitchen ingredients is a must-try

Entertainment

Kajal Aggarwal radiates joy in a yellow floral dress

10 reasons why Rose Gulkand is best consumed in hot summers

Phalsa benefits: 10 health reasons to enjoy this sweet and sour seasonal delight

Avneet Kaur commands attention in a stunning purple saree

BFFs Suhana, Shanaya, Ananya look their stylish best at Ambani's Italian bash

Signs that indicate you're meant to be together

From Mahua to Feni: 12 traditional Indian alcoholic drinks

News - Virgin Story

Vikram Lagadapati's 'Virgin Story' makes a huge splash ...

Vikram Sahidev’s solo film ‘Virgin Story’ to release on...

Upcoming Movies

Man Of The Match

Popular movie reviews.

Gangs Of Godavari

Gam Gam Ganesha

Prasanna Vadanam

Aa Okkati Adakku

Tillu Square

Family Star

• తెలుగు

Virgin Story Review: Modern Point, Old Narration

Movie: Virgin Story Rating: 1.5/5 Banner: Ramalakshmi Cine Creations Cast: Vikram Saahidev, Sowmika Pandiyan, Rishika Khanna, and others Music: Achu Rajamani Director of Photography: Aneesh Trun Kumar Editor: Garry  Producer: Lagadapati Sirisha Sreedhar Written and Directed by: Pradeep B Atluri Release Date: Feb 18, 2022

Producer Lagadapati Sreedhar’s son Vikram Saahidev has recently appeared as a second lead in ‘Rowdy Boys’. ‘Virgin Story’ marks his debut as a full-length hero.

Let’s find out whether the film is fresh as the title suggests.

Story: The best way to take revenge on the boyfriend who cheats is having a one-night stand with a random guy!

A friend tells Anushka (Soumika) as such. So, she heads to a pub and picks a loser-kind of guy Vikram aka Virat (Vikram Saahidev) to do it with him that night. But the night offers them crazy experiences as they scout for a place to have sex.

Will they make it out on that night? Will they break their rule of ‘no emotions’?

Artistes’ Performances: Vikram Saahidhev has already acted in a couple of films, and he knows well to carry himself off. As a contemporary youngster, he fits the bill. Vikram Saahidhev plays the role sincerely, though it is a typical role.

Newcomer Sowmika Pandiyan hardly makes an impression. A plethora of comedians appear, but none of them make any impact. 

Technical Excellence: Achu Rajamani has provided two peppy numbers. “Manasa Lede Ninnala Ee Roje” (this one is particularly good) and “Baby I’m In Love” stand out.

Cinematography and production values are decent. 

Highlights: Manasa Lede Ninnala song A couple of moments

Drawback: Weak direction Lack of interesting scenes No emotional core Romantic scenes are pale

Analysis The single line of “Virgin Story” is two youngsters struggling to find a place to have a one-night stand. As is the story, the majority of the film takes place at night. The youngster’s attempts to have sex are not at all romantic. Nor do they evoke laughs. 

In the entire first half of the film, we see only the boy and girl going from a lodge to a hotel to a scary house. The director must have thought that they were comedy scenes. But the so-called funny scenes are more exasperating than entertaining.  

The girl wanted to try it out with a guy and forget it the next day. So, they decide not to know their names, take each other’s numbers, or develop emotions. We all know how the film would end despite their rule of “No Names, No Emotions.”

There is no surprise about the climax. When you pick up such a story, the writers and director should focus on the screenplay and scenes. But “Virgin Story” falters on this front. 

One mad night turns out to be a never-ending and boring night. The predictable comedy scenes on the night such as a hotel manager making comedy in the name of showing rooms, a police officer creating a scene with the couple, etc keep coming. They have not helped the proceedings at all.

When you pick a youthful and contemporary point (one-night stand), why narrate it with old and formulaic scenes? The film also shows the romance between two lesbians with little understanding. A middle-aged woman’s episode with an auto driver is another silly track. 

The best part of this movie is the short runtime and two songs. 

All in all, ‘Virgin Story’ deals with contemporary themes but narrates it in a routine and dull manner. As the lead pair faces many hurdles for the nightstand and their problems prolong, our patience levels dip. 

Bottom line: No Emotion, No Grip

• Gam Gam Ganesha Review: Funny But Mostly Silly
• Bhaje Vaayu Vegam Review: Works in Parts
• Gangs of Godavari Review: Sinks in Godavari

Tags: Virgin Story Movie Review Virgin Story Review Virgin Story Movie Rating Virgin Story Rating Virgin Story Telugu Movie Review

ADVERTISEMENT

Letterboxd — Your life in film

Forgotten username or password ?

• Start a new list…
• Add all films to a list…
• Add all films to watchlist

Add to your films…

Press Tab to complete, Enter to create

A moderator has locked this field.

Add to lists

Where to watch

Virgin story, వర్జిన్ స్టోరి.

Directed by Pradip Atluri

In the present world of less attention span and instant gratification, can the time consuming emotion of love survive or fade away.

Vikram Sahidev Sowmika Pandiyan Rishika Khanna Vineeth Bhavisetty Snehal Kamath Anand Thakur Jayasri Rachakonda Abhijit Deshpande Raghu Karumanchi Jeeva Thagubothu Ramesh Rocket Raghava Jabardasth Apparao Bhadram R.K. (Mama) Bindu Chandramouli Gopichand Lagadapati Aditya Varma

Director Director

Pradip Atluri

Producers Producers

Lagadapati Sirisha Sridhar Sridhar Lagadapati

Writers Writers

Pradip Atluri Taranveer Singh Rajnikanth Kota

Casting Casting

Pushpa Bhaskar

Editor Editor

Cinematography cinematography.

Anish Tharun Kumar

Assistant Director Asst. Director

Dhanush Dandu

Production Design Production Design

Uday Umagopal

Choreography Choreography

Vijay Prakash

Composer Composer

Achu Rajamani

Sound Sound

M. R. Rajakrishnan

Comedy Romance

Releases by Date

18 feb 2022, releases by country.

• Theatrical UA

More at IMDb TMDb Report this page

Popular reviews

Review by HolmesKitty ★★★½

Had a ton of fun with this movie, different than most of what I have been watching lately. Fun young cast that I can’t wait to see in future projects.

Select your preferred poster

• Movie Reviews

Virgin Story Review

What's Behind

Vikram Sahidev who made his debut as an antagonist with Rowdy Boys is making his debut as the lead actor in Virgin Story. The film is releasing on February 18,2022. Let us see how Vikram Sahidev entertained movie lovers with Virgin Story.

Story Review

Seeing Priyanshi (Sowmika Pandiyan) unable to overcome the heartbreak with her boyfriend Sahil (Harish Kumar), her friend Minty (Rishika Khanna) suggests her to shelve all inhibitons and go on a one night stand. She selects Vikram (Vikram Sahidev) as the suitable person, and Vikram too decides to reciprocate her. To findout where this leads to and the connection with Inspector (RK Mama),SI (Jeeva), Amrinder Singh(Vineeth Bhavishetty), Lizzy (Snehal Kamath),enjoy Virgin Story on screen.

Artists, Technicians Review

Director Pradip Atluri tried to entertain movie lovers touching the concept of one night stand and dealing with the emotions and experiences of a couple who try to have sex on one night. Though the idea is novel, he failed in his execution. He tried to generate fun with the scenes involving the lead pair searching for a location to complete their task in the entire first half but failed to evoke any laughter. The second half continues in the same vein and the climax end on a dull note with no real twists and turns and the entire film is left with no emotions just as the heroine's dialogue. Had the makers worked on the screenplay and direction and included powerful emotional and hilarious scenes, it would have made an impact. The entire story is filled with silly scenes and silly narrations with numerous characters entering in and out.

Vikram Sahidev performed well in his role. He showcased subtle expressions and came with good emotions. He did not overact and did well to stay calm in various scenes. Sowmika Pandiyan is ok in her role. There are many other actors like Rishika Khanna, Vineeth Bhavisetty, Snehal Kamath, Anand Thakur,Jayashri Rachakonda, Abhijit Deshpande,Raghukumar Karumanchi,Jeeva, Rocket Raghava, Thagubothu Ramesh,Jabardasth Apparao,HarishKumar, Bhadram, RK.Mama, Jabardasth Tanmay,Aditya Varma, but none of them made an impression.

Achu Ramani came with good youthful tunes to attract the listeners to some extent but over all music is not up to the mark. The songs are well shot and well choreographed. Background music is in sync with the story. Anish Tharun Kumar's cinematography is good. Editing of Garry could have been better as there are scenes that solwed the pace of the film. Production values are good.

Vikram Sahidev to some extent

Disadvantages

Screenplay, Direction

Missing Emotions

Rating Analysis

Vikram Sahidev tried to make an impact with Virgin Story. Director Pradip Atluri drew inspiration from many of the shows coming on OTTs and tried to come with one using his creativity but he failed miserably. Weak story, missing emotions, failed screenplay and direction spoilted the party for Virgin Story. Taking into consideration all these points, CJ goes with a 1.5 rating for Virgin Story.

Cinejosh - A One Vision Technologies initiative, was founded in 2009 as a website for news, reviews and much more content for OTT, TV, Cinema for the Telugu population and later emerged as a one-stop destination with 24/7 updates.

Contact us     Privacy     © 2009-2023 CineJosh All right reserved.    

Virgin Story Movie Review & Ratings

Virgin Story Movie Review: Virgin Story Movie starring Vikram Sahidev and Soowmika Pandiyan in the main lead roles has been released grandly into theatres this day on February 18, 2022. On the first day itself, it got a good response from the Audience. Critics reviewed it as one of the best latest fresh comedy love stories. Pradip Atluri has directed this movie.

Bigg Boss 7 Telugu Vote

Virgin Story Movie Review & Ratings

Virgin Story is a Complete Romantic Comedy film. Vikram Sahidev plays the role of Vikram and Sowmika Indian as Priyanshi. Both fell in love but after some time differences come in between them. It’s a routine fresh love story but presented very well in a funny way.

Virgin Story Movie Cast, Crew

Pradip Atluri, Rajnikanth Kota, Taranveer have written the story while Pradip Atluri has directed it. Vikram Sahidev, Sowmika Pandiyan played the main lead roles. Rishika Khanna, Vineeth Bhavisetty, Snehal Kamath, Anand Thakur, Rocket Raghava, Jeeva, Thagubothu Ramesh played main supportive roles. Sirisha Lagadapati and Sridhar Lagadapti bankrolled it under banners of Rama Lakshmi Cinecreations.

Movie Verdict

Virgin Story is the New latest Love Comedy Drama. The Love in the present generation is completely different. Director Pradip Atluri has very well presented this film. Dialogues are written by Rajnikanth Kota are also very nice.

Movie Rating: 3.5 / 5

Leave a comment cancel reply.

• Web Stories
• Collections
• Gangs Of Godavari Movie Review
• Bhaje Vaayu Vegam Movie Review
• Gam Gam Ganesha Movie Review
• March 21, 2024 / 04:47 PM IST

Virgin Story

• Sahidev Vikram (Hero)
• Sowmika Pandiyan (Heroine)
• Pradip B Atluri (Director)
• Taranveer Singh (Director)
• Achu Rajamani (Music Director)
• Sridhar Lagadapati (producer)
• Sirisha Lagadapati (producer)

Watch Trailer

“Virgin Story,” a film unveiled in 2022, delves into the journey of two despondent teenagers navigating through a roller coaster of emotions during a single, eventful night.

As they traverse through various encounters with eccentric and humorous characters, they seek solace from their heartbreak.

The narrative unfolds with twists and turns, presenting the protagonists with opportunities to explore the essence of true love amidst chaos and unpredictability.

Throughout the night, they confront their vulnerabilities and confrontations, prompting introspection and growth.

Will this unconventional odyssey lead them to discover the healing power of genuine affection? The movie poses this question as the teenagers embark on an adventure filled with laughter, tears, and unexpected revelations.

“Virgin Story” captures the essence of youthful resilience and the pursuit of emotional fulfillment, offering audiences a poignant and entertaining portrayal of love, loss, and self-discovery within the backdrop of a single unforgettable night.

More Details

Latest news on virgin story, upcoming celebs birthdays.

Supritha Sathyanaraya

Deepa Venkat

Reshmi Menon

Nishikant Kamat

Guhan Shanmugam

R Ravindran

Tillotama Shome

Sunder Ramu

Parambrata Chattopadhyay

Upcoming movies.

Kajal's Satyabhama

Double Ismart

Music Shop Murthy

Chandu Champion

Pushpa 2: The Rule

Raghu ThaTha

Saripodhaa Sanivaaram

The Greatest of All Time

Sundarakanda

Brahmanandam

Log in or sign up for Rotten Tomatoes

Trouble logging in?

By continuing, you agree to the Privacy Policy and the Terms and Policies , and to receive email from the Fandango Media Brands .

By creating an account, you agree to the Privacy Policy and the Terms and Policies , and to receive email from Rotten Tomatoes and to receive email from the Fandango Media Brands .

By creating an account, you agree to the Privacy Policy and the Terms and Policies , and to receive email from Rotten Tomatoes.

Email not verified

Let's keep in touch.

Sign up for the Rotten Tomatoes newsletter to get weekly updates on:

• Upcoming Movies and TV shows
• Trivia & Rotten Tomatoes Podcast
• Media News + More

By clicking "Sign Me Up," you are agreeing to receive occasional emails and communications from Fandango Media (Fandango, Vudu, and Rotten Tomatoes) and consenting to Fandango's Privacy Policy and Terms and Policies . Please allow 10 business days for your account to reflect your preferences.

OK, got it!

Movies / TV

No results found.

• What's the Tomatometer®?
• Login/signup

Movies in theaters

• Opening this week
• Top box office
• Coming soon to theaters
• Certified fresh movies

Movies at home

• Fandango at Home
• Netflix streaming
• Prime Video
• Most popular streaming movies
• What to Watch New

Certified fresh picks

• Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga Link to Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga
• Young Woman and the Sea Link to Young Woman and the Sea
• In A Violent Nature Link to In A Violent Nature

New TV Tonight

• Star Wars: The Acolyte: Season 1
• Clipped: Season 1
• Sweet Tooth: Season 3
• Mayor of Kingstown: Season 3
• Ren Faire: Season 1
• Criminal Minds: Season 17
• Becoming Karl Lagerfeld: Season 1
• Power Book II: Ghost: Season 4
• Queenie: Season 1
• Erased: WW2's Heroes of Color: Season 1

Most Popular TV on RT

• Eric: Season 1
• Evil: Season 4
• Tires: Season 1
• Dark Matter: Season 1
• Outer Range: Season 2
• Fallout: Season 1
• Bodkin: Season 1
• The Sympathizer: Season 1
• Dancing for the Devil: The 7M TikTok Cult: Season 1
• Best TV Shows
• Most Popular TV
• TV & Streaming News

Certified fresh pick

• Bridgerton: Season 3 Link to Bridgerton: Season 3
• All-Time Lists
• Binge Guide
• Comics on TV
• Five Favorite Films
• Video Interviews
• Weekend Box Office
• Weekly Ketchup
• What to Watch

Netflix’s 100 Best Movies Right Now (June 2024)

100 Best Free Movies on YouTube (June 2024)

Asian-American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander Heritage

Vote For the Best Movie of 1999 – Round 3

The Acolyte Cast on New Lightsabers and Droids

• Trending on RT
• Vote: 1999 Movie Showdown
• 100 Best Movies on Netflix
• Renewed & Cancelled TV
• Superman: Everything We Know

Virgin Story Reviews

No All Critics reviews for Virgin Story.

Virgin Story

Stream & Watch Virgin Story

Cast & Crew

Movie details, popular comedy movies.

Movie Reviews

Follow Moviefone

Latest trailers.

Virgin Story

Original title: వర్జిన్ స్టోరి.

Streaming in:

We checked for updates on 247 streaming services on June 2, 2024 at 2:45:14 AM. Something wrong? Let us know!

Virgin Story streaming: where to watch online?

Currently you are able to watch "Virgin Story" streaming on aha.

In the present world of less attention span and instant gratification, can the time consuming emotion of love survive or fade away.

Production country

People who liked virgin story also liked.

Popular movies coming soon

Upcoming Romance movies

Similar Movies you can watch for free

• Skip to main content
• Keyboard shortcuts for audio player

Movie Reviews

• LISTEN & FOLLOW
• Apple Podcasts
• Google Podcasts
• Amazon Music

Your support helps make our show possible and unlocks access to our sponsor-free feed.

'The Dead Don’t Hurt' is a tender love story and a subversive Western

Justin Chang

20240531_fa_02

Viggo Mortensen plays Holger Olsen in The Dead Don't Hurt. Marcel-Zyskind/Shout! Studios hide caption

One of the many charms of The Dead Don’t Hurt is that you can’t immediately tell whether it’s trying to be an old-fashioned Western or a revisionist one. It has a lot of familiar genre signposts: men riding horses across rugged landscapes, a bloody shootout in a saloon, and two actors, Viggo Mortensen and Vicky Krieps , who bring traditional movie-star charisma to a tender love story.

But at times the film feels casually subversive. The first of those horsemen we see is not a cowboy but a knight in shining armor — a figure out of a child’s fantastical dream. And then there’s the way the movie plays with time: That shootout, which technically happens at the end of the story, is instead shown at the very beginning.

Author Interviews

What a classic '50s western can teach us about the hollywood blacklist.

Mortensen, who wrote and directed the movie, trusts us to know the Western well enough by now that he can play around with the form without losing our attention. He isn’t attempting a radical reinvention of the genre, but he is using its conventions to tell a different and politically resonant kind of story.

It’s especially significant that the two lead characters are both immigrants. Mortensen stars as Holger Olsen, a wandering Danish-born carpenter who finds himself in San Francisco in the 1860s. That’s where he meets Vivienne, a French Canadian florist, played by Krieps, who’s every bit as independent-minded as he is.

Vicky Krieps is a French Canadian florist in The Dead Don't Hurt. Marcel Zyskind/Shout! Studios hide caption

The two fall in love, and Vivienne moves with Olsen to a dusty Nevada town called Elk Flats. Because the story is told out of sequence, we already know some bad things are headed their way, but for now, the mood is light and even comical as Vivienne grouchily sets about tidying their wooden shack of a home.

Vivienne isn’t one for domestic confinement, and she soon gets a job bartending at the saloon, where she catches the eye of one of the nastiest customers in town: Weston Jeffries, played by Solly McLeod, the brutish son of a wealthy rancher. Meanwhile, with the Civil War under way, Olsen decides to join the Union Army, to Vivienne’s fury.

One of the best things about The Dead Don’t Hurt is that it honors Vivienne’s grit and capability while also acknowledging how alone and vulnerable she is in this hostile, male-dominated environment. Several months after Olsen leaves, Vivienne gives birth to a baby boy under circumstances that are shrouded in some mystery. Years later, Olsen returns to Vivienne and the child, but it isn’t an entirely happy reunion, and they face a grim reckoning with the town and some of its most corrupt individuals.

Mortensen made his feature directing debut with the 2020 drama Falling , in which he played a gay man trying to take care of his ailing, bigoted father. With The Dead Don’t Hurt , he uses a story set in the past to comment on issues that are still with us in the present, from male violence against women to the complexity of immigrant relationships with their adopted country. Even as Vivienne embraces her life as an American settler, she proudly clings to her French Canadian roots, sometimes dreamily recalling the stories her mother told her about Joan of Arc — an obvious hero for a woman trying to forge her own unorthodox path through life.

As a director, Mortensen handles the material with quiet assurance; even when he cuts back and forth through time, he never loses the narrative thread. He also gives a gently grounded performance as Olsen, a decent man who sometimes makes impulsive, reckless decisions.

But this is ultimately Krieps’ movie. She’s often played women chafing against their proscribed stations in life, in dramas like Phantom Thread and Corsage . Here, she captures the indomitable spirit of a woman who’s making her way in a strange land and is determined to find and nurture beauty in even the harshest circumstances.

To revisit this article, visit My Profile, then View saved stories .

We may earn a commission if you buy something from any affiliate links on our site.

The Best—And Most Scandalous—Love Triangles on Film and Television

By John Ortved

Ah, love triangles—is there anything more deliciously excruciating to watch onscreen? Even America’s first full-length film, an adaptation of Victor Hugo’s Les Miserables, featured the age-old romantic triad. While the specifics of that film’s love triangle may not be remembered by audiences today, depictions of the classic story set-up go back at least as far as Homer’s Iliad , and have proved dependable throughout cinematic history .

Of course, the drama has only gotten more supercharged in the modern era—first, by the sexual revolution , and then in the Golden Age of TV . As boundaries shrink and conventions blur, romantic rivalries continue to erupt—as do their possibilities onscreen, from the partner-sharing poignancy of Jules et Jim to the animal-human wackiness of Bojack Horseman and the gender-bending ambivalence of Challengers .

While love triangles can be as messy, weird, and heartbreaking as love itself, there’s always something redeemable in the way they play out: with passion, enthrallment, and (for viewers, anyway) the desire to experience it again and again. With that in mind, here’s a look at some of the most iconic love triangles ever to grace film and television alike. Cue them up whenever you’re craving all of the above.

Ilsa, Rick, and Victor in Casablanca (1942)

Taylor Swift got it wrong: the greatest films of all time were not only made, but they’re all on TCM. Don’t let the number of scenes, lines, and even silhouettes from Casablanca that have become cliché distract from director Michael Curtiz’s masterful treatment of wartime romance. In the midst of WWII, but before Pearl Harbor, Ilsa (Ingrid Bergman), the old flame of Casablanca nightclub owner Rick Blaine (Humphrey Bogart), an American, appears in town with her husband, a famous rebel—and Rick may be their only chance for freedom. Underlying the high-stakes tension are themes that have always bolstered great love stories—sacrifice, loyalty, survival—captured here with the epic performances, storytelling, and direction that create a classic.

How to watch: Stream on Max or Prime Video .

Jules, Jim, and Catherine in Jules et Jim (1962)

There is no ur-text for the modern love triangle, but François Truffaut’s 1962 interrogation of the limits of both partnership and singledom in this landmark piece of New Wave ( Nouvelle Vague ) cinema may be as close as we get. Before, during, and after WWII, insular writer Jules and outgoing Jim go back and forth with vivacious, captivating, manic pixie dream girl Catherine ( Jeanne Moreau ) through singledom, marriage, children, and estrangement, until finally a decision must be made—and is it ever. Whether you see this movie’s concept as clever or perverse, and its end as poetic or tragic, it brought to light a new kind of love, within a new kind of filmmaking, and the clock could never be turned back. Of course, the fashion is also on-point.

How to watch: Stream on Max .

Elaine, Benjamin, and Mrs. Robinson in The Graduate (1967)

By Marie Bladt

By Hannah Jackson

By Hannah Clugston

Yes, Benjamin. She’s trying to seduce you. But you knew that, didn’t you, clever boy? The story of an aimless college grad’s dalliance with an older woman—only to fall for her daughter—is as sophisticated as comedies, and coming of age stories, come. (Fun fact: Anne Bancroft, who played the “older woman” was 36, a mere six years senior to Dustin Hoffman, who played the “boyish” Benjamin.) But there’s so much more than comedy to this romance, as it thoughtfully explores the geography between what we want, what we owe, and what we deserve. Director Mike Nichols’s farewell note to the ‘60s, and America’s innocence, The Graduate is as profound as love triangles get—and, at the same time, simply marvelous.

How to watch: Stream on Prime Video or Tubi .

Nola, Jamie, Greer, and Mars in She’s Gotta Have It (1986)

Nola Darling is a successful graphic artist, living it up in Brooklyn and dating three men: gentlemanly Jamie, self-involved Greer, and motormouth Mars. Things come to a head when the three men meet and compare notes on Nola and Jamie demands she make a choice. Spike Lee ’s breakout film is notable for many reasons, but where this love triangle stands alone is not only in its placement of Nola in the power position, but in its unfettered unquestioning of topics untested in this period, like monogamy, and sexual fluidity. Truly ahead of its time.

How to watch: Stream on Netflix .

Jack, Rose, and Cal Hockley in Titanic (1997)

What happened to Billy Zane, who played Caledon "Cal" Hockley, the wealthy fiancé to Rose? He was such a good rival against Leo’s Jack in this movie. No small thing! To get an idea of how big a romantic star Leonardo DiCaprio was when this movie bowed, combine Jacob Elordi and Timothée Chalamet , then multiply that to the power of Donald Glover and you’re not even close. Imagine having to convince audiences against that. True, there is also the little matter of a sinking ship to deal with, and Rose is only marrying Cal for financial stability, but still: Convincing millions of people that you could take 1997 Leonardo DiCaprio is kind of a big deal. The incredible performances are far from the only thing Titanic has going for it—there’s the never-before-seen level of special effects and set pieces, the crisp dialogue, the great costumes and the production design—but ultimately it’s Leo, Kate, and Zane who will float your boat.

How to watch: Stream on Paramount+ , Prime Video , or YouTube

Aidan, Carrie, and Big in Sex and the City (1998)

I’m not really sure why Aidan took Carrie back after she cheated on him with Big, but he had to have known it wasn’t going to work. Especially after he proposed. Who doesn’t wear their engagement ring on their finger? Aidan, Aidan, Adain. Adain. While the writing may have been on the wall (or typed on a MacBook, in a nook by an open window), the ride Carrie took us on while she decided between these two tall boys (to be fair, Big is more of a martini) kept us wrapt. And in the background, there were cosmos, yellow cabs, cool new restaurants, and enough sexy stories to satisfy Carrie’s other lover, and maybe her one real true love: New York City.

How to watch: Stream on Max or Netflix .

Tony, Carmela, and Furio in The Sopranos (1999)

No thug could hurt Tony Soprano ( James Gandolfini )—North Jersey mob boss and sufferer of panic attacks—like his own family. In Season 4, when his wife, Carmela, fell for one of his own soldiers, Furio, with barely more than a few polite words spoken between them, it set off a new kind of undoing for Tony. The beauty of this affair wasn’t in the plotting, but in the performance of yearning given by Edie Falco , who made the series every bit as much hers as Gandolfini’s in these moments. Watching the shifts in expressions, the pain and wanting in Carmela’s eyes, as she negotiates her love and her own moral compass, is more riveting than any hit.

Stuart, Vince, and Nathan in Queer as Folk (UK, 1999)

The long-running American version of this landmark series was so completely forgettable that viewers can be forgiven for overlooking the source material. But aside from giving us the gay culture that TV never had before, the British television series provided a scintillating will-they-or-won’t-they narrative between longtime friends Stuart and Vince, mediated by 15-year-old doe-eyed lothario Nathan—as well as a well-constructed picture of modern romance. Plus: all the gay sex, club drugs, and rocking circuit parties that late ‘90s Manchester could offer.

Rory, Jess, and Dean in Gilmore Girls (2000)

Rory Gilmore had a tough call to make: the tall, sweet, handsome “Townie” (his words), or Jess, the scowling big city transplant and prototypical bad boy who was anything but typical. Of course, the real love story in Stars Hollow is Rory and her mother’s, but as new generations of teens and pre-teens align themselves with Team Jess or Team Dean (or god forbid, Team Logan) we witness the strength of creator Amy Sherman-Palladino ’s characters and how her writing stands the test of time. Oh, and for the record: Team Jess.

How to watch: Stream on Netflix , Apple TV , Prime Video , or YouTube .

Tenoch, Julio, and Elisa in Y Tu Mamá También (2001)

The plot is simple: two horny Mexican teens (played by Diego Luna and Gael García Bernal ) go on a road trip with an older woman they meet at a wedding (the mesmerizing Maribel Verdú) and get to learn about life, love, and making out with each other. A sexy romp, yes, this is also a coming-of-age story about the friends we make, the lovers we touch, and how we come to define ourselves. Packed in there is a story about modern Mexico itself, along with gorgeous cinematography and a tonal balance (courtesy of director Alfonso Cuarón) that successfully softens this love triangle’s edges.

How to watch: Stream on YouTube with IFC Films .

Matthew, Isabelle, and Theo in The Dreamers (2003)

It’s difficult for generations who grew up after the ‘60s to understand the raging, hormonal, well-dressed, romantic movement of France’s civil unrest known as “ May 68 .” It began with socialist students—angry that they couldn’t sleep with their SOs—and ended with work stoppages, street battles, and the President fleeing the country. Into this melee we get Bernardo Bertolucci ’s gloriously perverted tale of an American visiting Paris and rooming with a gorgeous brother and sister duo ( Louis Garrel and Eva Green ) who enjoy each other as much as they do New Wave film (maybe more). A far cry from Salò , or films dominated by prurience, this movie, and these three lovers, are having a torrid affair with art, politics, and society’s mores—their own little revolution amidst a real one. It’s fiery from the first frame—no Molotov cocktails necessary.

How to watch: Buy on DVD or Blu-ray.

Judge Turpin, Johanna, and Anthony in Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007)

Nothing says “sexy good time” like cannibalism, and in this version of Stephen Sondheim’s Sweeney Todd it’s particularly delicious. Judge Turpin, who robbed Benjamin Barker (a barber) of his youth, wife, and daughter, has his evil eyes on said daughter, Johanna, who has since grown into a lovely young woman—as does a bright-faced Anthony, who befriended Barker on the ship that returned him to London from Australian imprisonment. This romance gives us sometime to root for—and some great songs—while Barker, a.k.a. Sweeney Todd, begins slashing people’s throats. A love triangle with revenge, murder, British cooking, thriving small businesses, and gorgeous music: what’s not to love?

How to watch: Stream on Paramount+ , Prime Video , or YouTube .

Vicky, Cristina, Juan, and María Elena in Vicky Cristina Barcelona (2008)

There’s too much plot to summarize it properly, but save it to say that a sexy Spanish painter played by Javier Bardem seduces two Americans visiting Barcelona (Vicky and Cristina), and starts playing house with one of them ( Scarlett Johansson ) and his hot-blooded, potentially unstable ex-wife played by Penélope Cruz . The fur flies. The man gets to sleep with everyone, with few repercussions, and no one ends up happy. Call it Woody Allen does Europe, which it literally was ( Vicky is the second film Allen made outside the United States, after Matchpoint, which also features Johansson and a love triangle, both of which are less fun than they are here).

How to watch: Stream on Tubi or YouTube .

BoJack, Diane, and Mr. Peanut Butter in BoJack Horseman (2014)

This is a complicated one, made no less so by the fact that it’s unclear if BoJack Horseman —a washed up ‘90s sitcom star, who is also a horse—loves anyone, including himself. The pleasure of watching the unbelievable setups in this animated Hollywood satire is in the feeling of opposition evoked by the relationships. With no small help from astute vocal performances by actors like Will Arnett and Alison Brie , creator Raphael Bob-Waksberg creates a world where fights against agents, depression, and one’s own self feel real, acute, and important. And nowhere is that more apparent than in the relationship between BoJack, his biographer Diane, and her boyfriend, Mr. Peanut Butter, whose career mimicked BoJack’s. Oh, and Mr. Peanut Butter also happens to be a golden retriever.

Issa, Lawrence, and Daniel in Insecure (2016)

Like Succession and Girls , the title of Issa Rae ’s HBO series—about single life, social life, romantic life, and working life for a tight-knit group of Black women in LA—hints at the guiding force to the love triangle between protagonist Issa, her boyfriend Lawrence ( Jay Ellis ), and her long-time crush, Daniel (Y'lan Noel). So many of the good, bad, and hilarious decisions on this crackling but sensitive series emerge from Issa’s lack of confidence, all too intimately familiar to anyone who has ever tried to find themselves, find love, or gotten on stage to rap about a “Broken Pussy” in front of a guy they like. An antidote to the reams of romantic schlock available on infinite streamers, Insecure just gets it, and managed to not only to keep our interest for five seasons, but also finish strong (a rarity on TV, even on HBO; see Girls ).

How to watch: Stream on Max , Netflix , and Prime Video .

Almost everyone in Big Mouth (2017)

Middle school is torturous, something of which comedian and Big Mouth co-creator Nick Kroll is well aware. The love triangles in Kroll’s animated show about puberty are as plentiful as the hormones his cartoon kids contend with—and they are as gloriously confused, embarrassing, crass, intense, and messy as you’d expect. Supposedly nice girl Jessi steals another girl’s girlfriend. Jessi dates Jay, but can’t get along with the pillow he likes to hump. Andrew, who once sent a picture of his genitals to his own cousin, hurls disabled Lars from his wheelchair in a jealous rage over Missy, his former girlfriend. Like I said: torturous! But also funny, never mean, and often very touching.

Kendall, Siobhan, Roman, and Logan Roy in Succession (2018)

There are some mini love triangles in Succession , like Roman dating the woman who fellated-and-then-some his brother-in-law to be, and the Swedish Viking Lukas’s interest in Shiv as more than a potential business partner. But there’s only one real affair in this story, and it gives the show its name. Watching Rome, Shiv, and Ken attempt to battle, scrape, and betray their way into their father’s heart—and, conversely, seeing Logan withhold, meter out, and blaspheme his version of love back at them—propelled Succession through four glorious seasons. Less of a ménage than a massacre—no one said love was pretty—here we revel in the battlefield, the bloodshed, and all of its dazzling ugliness.

Maddy, Nate, and Cassie in Euphoria (2019)

The only thing better than the “Are you auditioning for Oklahoma! ?” bathroom scene may be the love triangle that precipitates it. While the very grown-up high school of Euphoria (guns, addiction, sexual assault, an Apatow!) may be worlds away from Stars Hollow or Capeside, some rules are constant—one being that you just don’t sleep with your friend’s boyfriend. Cassie had her reasons, and Maddy and Nate may indeed have been broken up at the time, but the sheer terror inspired by Maddy’s untethered fury amongst this circle of very unhealthy, unhappy teenagers makes every scene that it touches at least as memorable—if not more so—than anything from Oklahoma! .

Ben, Devi, and Paxton in Never Have I Ever (2020)

I’m going to level with you: I’m 90% into this show for John McEnroe . The story of Devi ( Maitreyi Ramakrishnan ), who must confront the challenges of high school in the wake of her father’s death, is narrated (vividly, wittily, and at a normal volume) by the tennis great, and it’s a stroke of (producer Mindy Kaling ) genius. Portrayed with great humor, and a light touch barely ever achieved by young actors, Devi’s best challenges involve boys—especially Ben, her nerdy competition for top of the class, and Paxton—a hot athlete. Devi dates them both. Hilarity ensues, as well as hurt feelings, betrayal, humiliation, bad friend advice, and everything we look for in a messy high school triangle.

Nora, Hae, and Arthur in Past Lives (2023)

An achingly beautiful picture of the path not taken, Past Lives is more romantic than any will-they-or-won’t-they setup. When Nora, a Korean-American woman living in New York is visited by her childhood best friend and former long-distance romantic partner, Hae, her world— and that of her partner—Arthur, is shaken. What emerges is a love story that spans decades, continents, and cultures, and speaks to those absences that make love stories so powerful: longing, distance, and loss.

How to watch: Stream on Paramount+ , Apple TV , Prime Video , or YouTube .

Patrick, Art, and Tashi in Challengers (2024)

A love triangle spanning decades directed by Luca Guadagnino and starring Zendaya ? Gimme! The metaphors of two competitive tennis players vying for the love of a third are not buried especially deep in this film, but no one came here looking for Tolstoy. We want sexy fun with hot young people, fierce jealousy, and more love than 100 Wimbledons could provide. And does this film ever deliver, especially for one with zero sex scenes (sorry!). As he did with Call Me By Your Name , Guadagnino’s strength here is taking his time—not by stretching the tension over years—but with each scene, look, and touch. So much of this film is the feeling of anticipation, which is sculpted, not painted on.

How to watch: In theaters

Documentary Review: 'Billy & Molly: An Otter Love Story' Streaming on Disney Plus!

“Billy & Molly: An Otter Love Story” is a heartwarming documentary set in the remote Shetland Islands. The film follows Billy, his wife Susan, and their loyal sheepdog Jade as they welcome a wild otter named Molly into their family. Molly, in desperate need of help and practically starving, washes up on their jetty, and Billy finds himself at a personal crossroads.

Billy and Molly on the pontoon at sunset. (National Geographic/Jeff Wilson)

As Billy cares for Molly, providing her with food and shelter, Molly also helps Billy rediscover a part of himself that had been shoved away. The documentary doesn’t go into too much detail but Billy notes that he knows the feeling of being utterly alone in the world and it’s clear he wanted Molly to survive. At one point in the documentary, Billy notes that he and Susan don’t have children and so Molly allows that nurturing instinct to be filled.

The documentary is filled with beautiful cinematography, capturing the vibrant beauty of Shetland’s spring and the harsh, rugged winters where Molly makes herself scarce. Susan narrates the majority of the film, sharing sweet moments like Billy buying a ball pit for Molly or when she accidentally discovers that Molly has a life outside of them, as she plays with other otters and hunts at a nearby loch.

“Billy & Molly: An Otter Love Story” is a film that explores themes of love, acceptance, and the profound connection between humans and nature. It is a touching story of how an unexpected friendship can bring joy and peace.

Get more content like this on ChasingPixies.com

Don’t get FOMO and join our newsletter and Facebook Page !

• Cast & crew

Inside Out 2

Follow Riley, in her teenage years, encountering new emotions. Follow Riley, in her teenage years, encountering new emotions. Follow Riley, in her teenage years, encountering new emotions.

• Kelsey Mann
• Dave Holstein
• Meg LeFauve
• Amy Poehler
• Phyllis Smith
• Lewis Black

• Embarrassment

• Riley Andersen

• Mrs. Andersen

• Mr. Andersen

• Valentina 'Val' Ortiz

• Coach Roberts

• Subconscious Guard Frank

• Subconscious Guard Dave

• Forgetter Bobby

• Forgetter Paula
• All cast & crew
• Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

The Big List of Summer Movies

More like this

Did you know

• Trivia The first trailer received 157 million online views within the first 24 hours, more than any other Disney animated film, surpassing Frozen II (2019) , with 116 million views.

Riley Anderson : [from the trailer] I'M THE WORST!

Mom's Anger : Welp, there's a preview of the next ten years.

• Connections Featured in AniMat's Crazy Cartoon Cast: The D23 Expo 2022 Special (2022)
• When will Inside Out 2 be released? Powered by Alexa
• June 14, 2024 (United States)
• United States
• Instagram - Disney's Announcement
• Instagram - Pixar's Announcement
• Những Mảnh Ghép Cảm Xúc 2
• Walt Disney Feature Animation - 500 S. Buena Vista Street, Burbank, California, USA (Studio)
• Walt Disney Pictures
• Pixar Animation Studios
• See more company credits at IMDbPro

Technical specs

• Runtime 1 hour 40 minutes
• Dolby Digital
• Dolby Atmos
• 12-Track Digital Sound
• D-Cinema 96kHz Dolby Surround 7.1
• D-Cinema 96kHz 7.1

Related news

Contribute to this page.

• See more gaps
• Learn more about contributing

More to explore

Recently viewed.

• Election 2024
• Entertainment
• Newsletters
• Photography
• Personal Finance
• AP Investigations
• AP Buyline Personal Finance
• AP Buyline Shopping
• Press Releases
• Israel-Hamas War
• Russia-Ukraine War
• Global elections
• Asia Pacific
• Latin America
• Middle East
• Election Results
• Delegate Tracker
• AP & Elections
• Auto Racing
• 2024 Paris Olympic Games
• Movie reviews
• Book reviews
• Personal finance
• Financial Markets
• Business Highlights
• Financial wellness
• Artificial Intelligence
• Social Media

Movie Review: This is her, now, in space: J.Lo heads to a new galaxy for AI love story in ‘Atlas’

This image released by Netflix shows Jennifer Lopez in a scene from “Atlas.” (Ana Carballosa/Netflix via AP)

This image released by Netflix shows Jennifer Lopez in a scene from “Atlas.” (Netflix via AP)

This image released by Netflix shows Sterling K. Brown in a scene from “Atlas.” (Netflix via AP)

• Copy Link copied

Let’s all be clear, if we weren’t already, that when it comes to Jennifer Lopez, it’s about the love story. Always the love story.

J.Lo the pop star, singing about rekindled love on her latest album, “This is Me … Now.” J.Lo the rom-com regular, making movies about seeking love (including the extremely autobiographical film of the same name.) J.Lo the real-life celebrity goddess, in countless headlines about … what else?

Love, for better or worse.

And so if we tell you that now, we have J.Lo in “Atlas,” playing a data analyst who travels to a planet populated solely by evil AI bots preparing to extinguish humanity, well, your only question really should be, “Where’s the love story?”

Glad you asked! Because there is one. It may not be with a human. It may actually be with a computer program. But there is one. Because “Atlas,” an often ridiculous sci-fi epic with dialogue cheesier than a Brie wheel but also an old-fashioned, human heart o’ gold, is a J.Lo movie. Through and through.

We’ll give the filmmakers some credit: “Atlas,” directed by Brad Peyton (“San Andreas”) is timely. And not just because Lopez has been in the news lately, but because the subject is AI — which has been in the news even more than Bennifer, believe it or not.

We begin our story on Earth, way off into the future, at a time where someone can say “Remember there used to be things called smartphones?” and everyone laughs. A montage of news reports informs us that things have not been going well for the human race. AI, created to advance humanity, has turned against it, killing over 1 million civilians.

The evil AI leader is Harlan (Simu Liu), who after turning on humanity has escaped to an unknown location far from Earth. But when an associate of his, Casca, is captured on Earth, the head of ICN, a coalition of nations fighting the AI menace, calls on Atlas Shepherd (Lopez) to help question him. Who better than the woman who’s devoted her life to the hunt for Harlan?

We learn Atlas is not a happy person. Also, she’s addicted to coffee – quad Americanos, to be precise. And she hates — absolutely hates — AI, for reasons unknown.

Anyway, Atlas deftly manages to obtain Harlan’s location from Casca, and soon finds herself begging to join a mission to his far-off planet to capture the villainous bot, with whom she shares a mysterious past connection. At first, mission commander Banks (Sterling K. Brown) objects strenuously, but quickly and rather illogically changes his mind. (Both Liu and Brown deserve much better roles than the generic, lifeless ones they’re given.)

Soon they’re off, to GR-39 in the Andromeda galaxy, where the ICN space rangers fall into a disastrous trap laid by Harlan. It’s here that Atlas meets the most important other person in the movie — well, not a person. It’s her AI software, who proves her crucial ally once Atlas is forced to crash land, in her mechanized battle suit, onto the planet.

The key issue is trust-building. Atlas, as we said, doesn’t trust AI. As the two get to know each other, the software gives himself (he has a “default” male voice) a name: Smith.

Atlas: “Is that really necessary?” Smith: “Names create an emotional reaction.” Atlas: “You’re a computer program.”

The plan consists of finding Harlan, defeating his dastardly plot to destroy humanity and getting off the planet – all while hopefully staying alive. At every step, Smith informs Atlas with all the data at his disposal how precisely desperate the odds are. This results in some amusing banter as Smith, voiced by Gregory James Cohan, “learns” sarcasm and humor.

As for Atlas, she needs to learn how to let down her guard – or rather, her brain walls. Her mistrust of AI leads her to stubbornly refuse (at first) Smith’s entreaties to use the “neural link” — a pathway into each other’s brains — that will vastly enhance Atlas’ chances of survival, combining her analytic capacity with Smith’s data access.

Harlan doesn’t appear until halfway into the movie, and we soon learn something about the tragic past he shares with Atlas. In any case, it’s Smith, not Harlan, that ultimately evokes real feeling from Atlas — and gives Lopez a chance to emote, which she does reasonably well given the mediocre dialogue. You could call it a futuristic triangle: Human, bad AI, good AI.

Who will win out? Our protocol, as Smith would say, doesn’t allow us to give spoilers. But you can guess one idea that emerges shining bright: It’s a four letter word that starts with “L.”

“Atlas,” a Netflix release, has been Rated PG-13 “for strong sci-fi violence, action, bloody images and strong language.” Running time: 118 minutes. One and a half stars out of four.