Falling in love, either romantically or platonically, often feels like every little thing between a pair relies on perfectly placed coincidences. The right place, right time moments that, when you reflect on them, feel almost too good to be true. That you were placed at the first moment you meet that special person, as it was meant to happen. Erupcja is an examination of love through honesty and hard truths.
Two women seeking excitement navigate their complicated lives in Pete Ohs’ lovesick drama. But much like any relationship, either past or present, it’s filled with complexities. Bethany (Charli XCX) is an art lover, finding that being in a room with paintings is more her speed than being near the Eiffel Tower. She is a free spirit, one who had a past tendency of being self-seeking in the pursuit of freedom. As an adult, she finds herself on the cusp of a life-changing event; her boyfriend Rob is going to propose to her, except she isn’t supposed to know.
Bethany couldn’t ask for a better partner in Rob; he is attentive, kind, and hopelessly in love with her. So naturally, when Bethany chooses to suggest a trip to Warsaw over Paris, Rob goes along with it seemingly without hesitation. But quickly, the screenplay makes it apparent that there are other motivations for Bethany to select this location. Over her life, she has visited the city, which now has visual changes, but the sounds still remain the same. It’s where, years prior, she first met Nel (Lena Góra), who, to them, was the first sign that their connection was special, with a volcanic eruption happening the same day.
After Bethany finds Nel’s newest apartment, something she does in secret, it’s only a matter of time before the pair reunites. A narrator does a lot of the exposition on Bethany and Nel’s backstory in the beginning, once again laying it on how selfish Bethany can be. It exposes how Nel was promised phone calls from Bethany after her last visit, but those calls were never dialed. Something that noticeably has an upsetting impact on Nel, but is quickly forgiven.
Erupjca flows between Bethany and Rob, and Bethany and Nel with ease. Although Bethany, who is in a relationship with Rob, is a much different version of herself than the one who is seen with Nel. The bones of their previous time together are still intact, but Bethany is beginning to feel caged in her current situation. With Rob, she is the center of attention, with dates planned weeks in advance. With Nel, it’s about having a good time at whatever the cost, and when all three are finally together, Rob is the odd man out.
Ohs and his fellow screenwriters Charli XCX, Jeremy O. Harris, and more aren’t asking audiences who watch Erupjca to excuse Bethany’s, and at times Nel’s, self-centered choices. Rather, they are more interested in showing how that selfishness impacts those around us. Like dismissing the effort someone put into a date to make you feel special in return shrinks their confidence. Additionally, getting swept up in rekindling an old, disruptive connection halts another genuine one from fully sparking. This makes both Nel and Bethany choose to either continue reliving their glory days without a care or leave all of that behind.
Each character is written from a perspective that allows us to both feel empathy and annoyance for their choices, which makes the film’s performances feel natural; each has flaws that aren’t shied away from. Even when language is a barrier between Nel and Bethany, they are able to fall back into their old ways. It helps that Charli XCX and Góra have a dynamic that expresses their closeness, even when language is a barrier, often shown through shared gazes that are more like two people searching each other’s thoughts.
For those who are apprehensive about Charli xcx entering the film space, there shouldn’t be doubts now with Erupjca. She has that effortlessly cool persona that matches her character, making it easy to understand why Nel is so impressed with her. There’s an inkling that these two women are interested in one another in a far deeper way than just friendship, but the film never outright reveals it. Thus, it makes the film that much more exciting to watch and adds an extra layer to the interactions between the women.
The use of romantic gestures in Erupjca is the film’s main theme. In fact, the film starts with Nel in her flower shop getting a small bunch of flowers ready for a young man looking to impress his new love, establishing the excitement of being in love and wanting to express it outwardly. Bethany shares her love of historical artworks with Rob, opening his eyes to finding beauty in something as simple as a bench. These elements make the film such a breeze to watch, along with its 1 hour and 11 minute runtime.
Warsaw, captured by Ohs through his work, shows a city full of life, with many moments of the film placing Charli XCX in random spots and letting the space move around her. For a film like Erupcja, Ohs, who goes for a natural look, makes the camera its own character. Sneaking away right alongside Bethany to dance clubs and bars, it is placed intimately close. Moving with actors to capture their performances adds to the spontaneity of it all. Adding in splices of magma bursting and colorful transitions, Ohs makes each frame count.
Ultimately, Oh’s newest film is brilliant, from the screenplay to the casting choices, and everything in between. The prospect of doing whatever you’d like with friends sounds ideal, especially those connections that feel like they are written in the stars. Erupcja validates that everyone is allowed to have selfish, carefree moments, but not at the expense of those who love them.
Erupjca is currently playing in select theaters in New York and Los Angeles courtesy of 1-2 Special. The film will continue to expand in the coming weeks.
Oh's newest film is brilliant, from the screenplay to the casting choices, and everything in between. The prospect of doing whatever you'd like with friends sounds ideal, especially those connections that feel like they are written in the stars. Erupcja validates that everyone is allowed to have selfish, carefree moments, but not at the expense of those who love them.
