Shoplifters

I was literally the Pedro Pascal crying gif on repeat for about two hours. <i>Shoplifters</i> is one sneaky bastard of a film; it draws you in with its warmth before leaving you utterly heartbroken. It is a beautiful, masterful work of humanist storytelling that reminds us that sometimes, the people we choose matter more than the ones we are given. We are taken on a journey with this makeshift family, whose love feels truer than any biological bond. They find joy in the smallest moments and share an understanding of each other that pierces through your heart. Hirokazu Kore-eda’s ability to approach his characters with gentleness, empathy, and a complete absence of judgment is something I’ve already noticed after watching just two of his films. Each family member in <i>Shoplifters</i> is undeniably human; they don’t feel like mere characters - they feel like real people. Every scene is meticulously crafted, leaving no stone unturned. The ending is devastating, but it never feels out of place. Easy 5 star for me. A quote I loved: "The reason they hit you isn't because you are bad. If they say they hit you because they love you, that is a lie. If they loved you, if they really really loved you, this is what you do."