• Drama
• Romance

Preparation for the Next Life 2025

Based on the novel by Atticus Lish, Preparation for the Next Life is a 2025 American drama film directed by Bing Liu, who is best known for his documentary work on the Oscar-nominated film Minding the Gap. The screenplay was written by Martyna Majok. The film stars Sebiye Behtiyar as Aishe and Fred Hechinger as Skinner, with a supporting cast including Dralla Aierken and Jessica Ma. It was produced by Plan B Entertainment and Pastel, and distributed by Amazon MGM Studios. The movie had a limited theatrical release on September 5, 2025. The film tells the story of an unlikely romance between two people in New York City who are each struggling with their own demons. Aishe, a young Uyghur woman who was trained by her military father, is an undocumented immigrant working in Chinatown's underground kitchens. She is trying to find stability and legal status while constantly fearing deportation. Skinner, a young American soldier, has recently returned from three tours in the Middle East and is suffering from severe PTSD. He is lost and unable to hold down a job, self-medicating his trauma with alcohol. The two meet by chance and find a connection in their shared feelings of loneliness and a desire for a better life. They begin a relationship, bonding over their mutual affinity for discipline and physical strength, often working out and challenging each other. However, their struggles begin to strain their relationship, as Aishe's fear of being detained and Skinner's psychological issues threaten to pull them apart. The film is a poignant and realistic look at two individuals trying to find a home and solace in each other within an unforgiving system. Read More

• 2025
• 1 h : 55 min
• 601 views
• 6.014
• R