Summary:
Lonely Planet is an upcoming film produced by Netflix slated to star Liam Hemsworth and Laura Dern, set in the picturesque Moroccan landscapes. Not much is known about the film as of early 2025, but it is said to unfold as a two-part narrative love story focused on self-inflicted trauma and healing, as well as the connections that strangers share in alien worlds.
Written and directed by Susannah Grant, best known for her work on Erin Brockovich and the Netflix series Unbelievable, Lonely Planet marks a return to character-driven storytelling that is intimate in scale but universal in emotion. The film is set to showcase North Africa while depicting the connections humans make across borders and deep within, turning the lens of healing towards self-reflection and self-exploration.
The plot reportedly centers around Sarah (Laura Dern), a travel writer and a widow who is trying to cope with the passing of her husband. The vibrant travels that once invigorated Sarah now leave her drifting into a void. A work assignment covering Marrakech reluctantly brings her back on the road, but this time, it’s different. After touching down in Morocco, Sarah realizes she isn’t sure of what she is seeking—solace, inspiration, or simply wanting to escape reality.
While there, she encounters Jack (Liam Hemsworth), a younger and equally fragmented persona. A photographer, Jack is desperately trying to escape his reality—whether it be stagnant relationships, creative block, living up to impossible expectations, or even the pressures from family. Jack’s humor and carefree demeanor quickly reveal an underlying current of deep discontent.
Through their numerous encounters amidst city streets and hidden desert trails ogling the vast collection of galaxies overhead, their once idle conversations turn into remarkable displays of shared empathy. Their connection deepens into one not bred from stereotypical romance, but instead, the understanding of kindred spirits. They realize that although they are separately navigating different paths, they are in fact united under the same tune – both fighting their battles, mourning their losses, and pondering the truth amidst the web of identities that had previously defined them.
Lonely Planet does not speed towards the romantic zenith but, instead, indulges in the journey to get there. Sarah and Jack’s relationship is not a volatile romance, but rather an understanding relationship. The film reflects on the thought that the most impactful relationships are not ones that we have for a long time, but ones that we encounter briefly yet, in a way that we are mentally and emotionally transformed forever.
The film not only focuses on the picturesque Moroccan scenery and lively markets, but also uses them as a symbol and metaphor for Sarah’s emotional status. These include the chaotic state from grief, the longing to find meaning, and the sudden bursts of understanding that strike us while being far from what we recognize.
Crew & Cast:
As Sarah, Laura Dern brings life to the character of a woman coming to grips with grief and the turbulent waters of midlife, evoking incredible sympathy. With her uniquely multilayered performances, Laura is likely to ground the film with Sarah’s inner storm—a quest for clarity amidst chaos. In Marriage Story, Big Little Lies, and Wild, she has shown a remarkable ability to portray vulnerability and strength simultaneously—traits that will be invaluable for her role in Lonely Planet.
Liam Hemsworth plays Jack in The Expendables 3. Here, he portrays both a more emotionally mature and emotionally subtle character than many of his past action-oriented roles. Currently, he is known for his work in The Hunger Games franchise and other blockbuster movies. However, Jack is a character who is in a transitional phase where he is still young, but already disappointed and disillusioned, and it is expected that his performance will show a different aspect of his acting range.
Both writer and director, Susannah Grant brings an emotionally layered and thoughtful approach to every story she tells. Grant has demonstrated skill in character-driven narratives that possess emotional and moral ambiguities, so it can be expected that Lonely Planet will subvert the expectations of cliche and sentimentalism in favor of true emotional depth, instead relying on character development.
Cinematography and Aesthetic:
The aesthetic aspect of the film Lonely Planet is said to be its strongest feature. The country of Morocco offers a setting for the film rich in earth tones, sunlight, shadows, and color. Expect sweeping views of the desert, sensory overload of Marrakech’s medina, and intimate, quiet shots that parallels the characters’ emotional isolation and their deepening connections.
The cinematography, more than likely executed by an experienced hand in travel and romance features, captures the splendor of the setting and the subtle interactions between the characters through framing and lighting. The juxtaposition between the outer beauty of the world and the inner turmoil of the protagonists is bound to be a significant thematic visual motif.
Expecting the score to include some local instruments, it is probably appropriate that soft, reflective music is incorporated as well. Such a composition would suit the film’s meditative quality while still refraining from overshadowing the dialogue or pacing.
Core Themes and Emotions:
Emotions and Themes:
As the title suggests, Lonely Planet is a love story that deviates from the traditional narrative arc. Rather, it focuses on a form of love that is less enduring than it is transitory; a love that may be felt deeply, but which ultimately doesn’t bind two individuals together in any lasting way. The film delves into deep themes such as these:
Grief and Healing: The exploration of Sarah’s mourning is tender, paying attention to how travel can provide an opportunity for reflection and make healing possible.
Intentional encounters: The relationship between Jack and Sarah evolves through intentional interactions that travel open up, illustrating the way people fleetingly cross paths at just the right time.
Intergenerational Connection: The gap in age between Jack and Sarah serves not as a focal point for sensationalism, but rather as a means of exploring contrasting stages of life and how, at their very core, people are frail and vulnerable.
Identity Beyond Roles: Both characters face the challenge of an identity formed through social constructs, such as a wife and a writer for Sarah, and a nomad and an artist for Jack, as well as how in the reality of life, those identities must shift.
Reception and Anticipation:
Although mainstream reviews are yet to come, the film has managed to capture the attention of the audience due to its subtle approach to storytelling and the sophisticated nature of the emotions conveyed. This will appeal to viewers looking for depth and authenticity and who seek character-driven plots instead of clichéd love stories. Thus, it is possible that Lonely Planet will turn into an unexpected success in Netflix’s collection.
It is an interesting combination to pair Laura Dern with Liam Hemsworth, and while unconventional, it may offer something lively. An experienced actor provided with a younger counterpart placed into a more reflective role has the potential to propel forward the emotionally charged nuance needed for the film.
Conclusion:
Based on the synopsis, it seems like Lonely Planet is a deeply personal film reflecting how fleeting relationships can impact us. With the world fixated on outrageous story arcs laced with fantastical elements, this film tunes into the nuanced components of emotion intertwined with healing and healing and rediscovery which is often overlooked.
Reminding us that not all love needs to be constant in order to be significant, Lonely Planet illustrates the beauty of the journey to self-discovery, rather than self-discovery itself, through the lens two lost souls colliding in an unfamiliar territory.
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