Paramount+'s New Show Starring Phoebe Tonkin Is a Charming Rom-Com We All Needed

In early June, the Australian series Two Years Later quietly debuted on Paramount+. This rare romantic comedy emphasizes everyday life and conversations rather than grand gestures and clichés.

The half-hour episodes fly by, leaving behind a warm, heartwarming feeling that is sorely lacking in modern cinema.

What Is 'Two Years Later' About?

Emily and Ryan often saw each other on the bus to work and would chat about casual topics until the pandemic hit. The pandemic forced employees to work remotely and put their social lives on hold.

Two years later, the two crossed paths again. Ryan seized the opportunity and proposed to Emily – but first, they had to go on eight dates. Over the course of eight half-hour episodes, the characters meet in various circumstances and have the chance to get to know each other better.

'Two Years Later' Looks Like a Spiritual Successor to Richard Linklater's 'Before' Trilogy

First of all, Two Years Later draws parallels with Richard Linklater's Before trilogy, and Phoebe Tonkin herself noticed the similarities and rewatched the trilogy before filming began.

The story's intersections with Jesse and Céline – a meeting on public transport, a separation of several years, and a continuous stream of conversations – don't detract from the series' originality, rather, they imbue the story with even more charm and magic.

Like Linklater's characters, Emily and Ryan appear to be the perfect couple. Even before the quarantine, they sit side by side, speculating about fellow passengers' lives. The travelers know virtually nothing about each other, yet this doesn't prevent them from feeling a kindred spirit.

However, once the young couple goes on their first date, it becomes clear that flirting is much easier than entering into a serious relationship.

'Two Years Later' Offers an Honest Look at Modern Relationships in the Post-Pandemic Era

Two Years Later gently explores how the rise of dating apps and the coronavirus pandemic have transformed relationships. The show highlights how quarantine can turn love into a chore by forcing two people under the same roof.

It also delves into the "red flags" that have flooded social media and dictate what a "proper" partner should be like. Emily and Ryan are vibrant, imperfect people in their 30s who sometimes choose their words carelessly. They cautiously discover new sides of their partners and fear pain.

The series begins with a grand gesture – an impulsive marriage proposal – and gradually evolves into a subtle exploration of human intimacy, following in the footsteps of best examples of the genre like Normal People and Love.

What Did Viewers Think of 'Two Years Later'?

• On IMDb, Two Years Later has a score of 7.8/10.