In a year filled with steamy age-gap romances, Netflix’s latest offering, “Lonely Planet,” stands out as a sultry, sun-drenched escape to the vibrant streets of Morocco. Directed by Susannah Grant and starring the dynamic duo of Laura Dern and Liam Hemsworth, this travel-inspired love story promises to whisk viewers away on an unforgettable journey.
At the heart of “Lonely Planet” is the story of Catherine Lowe, a renowned but reclusive novelist played by the ever-captivating Laura Dern. Struggling with a crippling case of writer’s block and the aftermath of a painful divorce, Catherine seeks refuge at a picturesque writers’ retreat in the Moroccan countryside. There, she crosses paths with Owen Brophy, a charmingly disillusioned finance bro portrayed by the ruggedly handsome Liam Hemsworth.
What begins as a tentative friendship between the two inevitably blossoms into a passionate, age-defying romance, much to the chagrin of Owen’s younger, up-and-coming author girlfriend, Lily (Diana Silvers). As Catherine and Owen’s connection deepens, they grapple with the societal norms and expectations that threaten to tear them apart.
“Lonely Planet” departs from the typical Netflix rom-com fare, opting for a more nuanced, character-driven exploration of desire, creativity, and the power of human connection. Dern and Hemsworth’s sizzling on-screen chemistry is the driving force behind the film, with their characters’ quiet moments of intimacy and longing standing in stark contrast to the self-absorbed, sometimes insufferable writer’s retreat attendees around them.
“The film features plenty of tourism-ad footage of Morocco, from Marrakech to Chaouen, that elevates it above the overlit Netflix canon,” wrote Vulture’s Alison Willmore in her review. “But it also undercuts its exoticism with a short and effective montage of service workers at the retreat cleaning up beer bottles, trash, and a discarded bra after the group’s nightly revelry.”
This delicate balance between Morocco’s lush, dreamlike escapism and the grounded, often messy realities of human relationships make “Lonely Planet” such a compelling watch. As Catherine and Owen navigate the complexities of their unconventional affair, the film resists the urge to dive headfirst into soapy melodrama, opting for a more naturalistic, character-driven approach.
“Until the rushed conclusion, which dives headlong into improbable romance, ‘Lonely Planet’ thankfully avoids soapy dramatics, preferring realistic breakdowns in communication,” Willmore noted, “though I wish the envy between Catherine and Lily were a little better explored.”
Indeed, the film’s biggest strength lies in its willingness to let the central romance unfold unhurriedly, allowing the audience to become immersed in the characters’ journeys as much as their shared connection. Whether it’s Catherine’s ongoing struggle to overcome her creative blockage or Owen’s gradual awakening to the moral implications of his career, the film never loses sight of the intricacies of its protagonists’ lives.
At the same time, “Lonely Planet” never forgets the allure of its stunning Moroccan backdrop. Cinematographer Ben Smithard delivers a visual feast of vibrant colors, bustling markets, and sweeping desert vistas. The result is a film that feels both intimately grounded and breathtakingly cinematic, a testament to Grant’s skilled direction and the captivating performances of her lead actors.
“Lonely Planet” may not reinvent the wheel regarding the age-gap romance genre. Still, it manages to elevate the trope with its nuanced character work and its refusal to succumb to the temptation of straightforward melodrama. Instead, it offers a refreshingly low-key exploration of howman how a mansion can intersect, dating a dating-like, sun-dappled escape that lingers in the mind long after the credits have rolled.
For those seeking a romantic getaway without the high-stakes drama, “Lonely Planet” is the perfect antidote. This film invites you to sink into its sultry, unhurried rhythms and lose yourself in the enchanting world of its central lovers. And with the chemistry between Dern and Hemsworth sizzling hotter than the Moroccan sun, it’s a journey you won’t soon forget.