I LOVE YOU FOREVER Takes a Genre-Bending Look at Toxic Relationships

During a night out, law student Mackenzie (Sofia Black-D’Elia) meets Finn (Ray Nicholson), a ridiculously charming local newscaster. They connect on a level neither has experienced before, and she’s swept into a whirlwind romance. However, Mackenzie begins noticing Finn’s controlling behavior, and as she attempts to navigate through it, their idyllic relationship crumbles into something destructive.

What starts as an endearing rom-com takes a wild genre shift, with I Love You Forever taking you on a rollercoaster of a toxic relationship while maintaining a level of humor to balance the otherwise heavy topic.

Written and directed by Elisa Kalani and Cazzie David, the film aims to portray the horrors of being in a manipulative situation, while juxtaposing it with moments of happiness to demonstrate why people may choose to stay in such relationships. The story follows Mackenzie as she struggles with how her partner begins impacting her well-being, yet still finds herself drawn to the moments of joy they share — feeling at times that it’s her fault.

Both Kalani and David have done a remarkable job in creating a script that is witty and clever, with a touch of deadpan comedy. David also co-stars in the film as Mackenzie’s best friend, delivering some memorable quips.

During the premiere, they mentioned the television series Girls being a huge inspiration to them, even having the same composer, Micahel Penn do the score. I think that influence is apparent in how they tackled dating in your early 20s and how it can feel like you’re living through a comedy or drama — and sometimes a horror movie.

The film’s casting is exceptional and helps carry that tonal change, with Black-D’Elia navigating the nuances and genre shifts effortlessly, while Nicholson gives a charismatic performance that can quickly turn terrifying.

Overall, I just really loved the story and the message they were bringing forward. It’ll make you smile, laugh, and maybe cry, but it’s all done through such a unique lens with a smart script that feels like something anyone could connect to. 

As of posting, this film is awaiting release date details.