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Introduction
Some films speak to the mind. Others, to the heart. But A Part of You goes further — it dives deep into the soul, unearthing emotions you didn’t realize were buried there. Netflix’s 2024 Swedish drama, directed by Sigge Eklund and written by Michaela Hamilton, is a bittersweet coming-of-age tale that doesn’t just tell a story, it lingers long after the credits roll. It’s a film that understands the quiet power of loss, the strange ways grief reshapes identity, and the bittersweet pull between who we were and who we’re becoming.
With Felicia Maxime, Edvin Ryding, and Zara Larsson in central roles, the film weaves a delicate yet devastating tapestry of love, envy, tragedy, and resilience. It is not a loud drama with exaggerated tears, but a whisper of pain that echoes far longer than any scream.
Watch the ‘A Part of You‘ Official Trailer
Plot Overview (Spoiler-Free)
At the center of A Part of You is Agnes, a teenager who lives in the shadow of her older sister Julia. Julia is everything Agnes feels she isn’t — popular, magnetic, effortlessly loved. Agnes watches her from the sidelines, yearning not just for recognition but for a taste of that same luminous existence.
Then, the unthinkable happens. A tragedy strikes, ripping through Agnes’s world like a storm tearing apart a calm shoreline. Suddenly, she is no longer simply the younger sister in the background; she is forced into a space where she must redefine herself. The old life she clung to is gone, and the new one is uncharted territory.
As Agnes tries to step into the light left vacant by Julia, she finds herself closer to the life she always imagined — yet further from the person she truly is. The film captures that painful, beautiful truth of growing up: sometimes you only discover yourself in the rubble of what you’ve lost.
What Worked Well
1. Performances that Feel Real, Not Performed
Felicia Maxime carries Agnes with quiet strength, embodying that tender space between vulnerability and defiance. You can feel her inner world even when she says nothing, her expressions layered with longing, guilt, and hope. Edvin Ryding, already a Netflix favorite from Young Royals, adds emotional depth to every scene he’s in, while Zara Larsson’s presence — though more subdued — lends the film a magnetic pulse.
2. A Cinematic Poem in Visual Form
The cinematography is drenched in both warmth and melancholy. Sunlit afternoons are framed with the tenderness of memory, while night scenes wrap the characters in shadows that seem to breathe. The visual language of A Part of You is gentle but precise, echoing the fragility of its themes.
3. A Soundtrack That Feels Like a Second Narrative
Music here isn’t just background filler — it’s a heartbeat. Soft, haunting melodies seep into the storytelling, blurring the lines between scene and sentiment. Every note feels deliberate, designed to either soothe or crack you open just a little more.
4. The Honesty in the Writing
Michaela Hamilton’s script doesn’t shy away from the raw edges of grief. There’s no sugar-coating, no miraculous overnight healing. Instead, the story acknowledges that moving forward often means carrying the weight with you, learning to live alongside it.
What Didn’t Work
While A Part of You thrives on emotional honesty, it does at times risk becoming too still. For viewers seeking a faster narrative rhythm, the film’s quiet pacing may feel drawn out. There are stretches where silence does the talking — a stylistic choice that works thematically, but might test the patience of those who crave constant movement.
Additionally, certain side characters could have been more fleshed out. Their arcs feel hinted at rather than fully explored, leaving the focus firmly — almost too firmly — on Agnes. A little more insight into the people orbiting her might have deepened the emotional stakes even further.
Final Verdict
A Part of You isn’t a film for a casual Friday night when you just want something light. It’s a movie for the nights when you’re willing to sit with your feelings, when you’re ready to be reminded of how fragile and precious human connections can be. It is deeply personal yet universally resonant — a reminder that loss changes us, but it doesn’t have to break us.
For its tender performances, visual beauty, and emotional truth, A Part of You earns a 9/10. It’s not just a movie — it’s a quiet catharsis.
Meta Tags
- Genre: Drama, Coming-of-Age
- Language: Swedish
- Release Date: 2024
