The following contains spoilers for We Live In Time, now playing in theatersWe Live In Timebuilds to a final powerful moment that teases Almut’s fate. At the heart of the central arc toWe Live In Time’s character drama is Almut’s illness. Established early in the film as a serious danger, this early reveal in the purposefully disjointed story adds a bittersweet layer of inevitability to the ebbs and flow of Almut’s relationship with Tobias. The non-linear film explores theromance between Florence Pugh’s Almutand Andrew Garfield’s Tobias, exploring the length of their romance. Their romance develops into a sweet home, professional success, and bittersweet acceptance of an unpredictable world.
This all builds to the film’s final moments, which are a direct reflection ofWe Live In Time’s opening. This plays into the film’s subtle approach to loss, keeping the focus on Almut and Tobias. However, there are some clues in the film that strongly hint at the unsaid final fate of Almut. One understated detail in the film’s final moments seems to confirm Almut’s ultimate fate inWe Live In Time’s ending, which also plays into the thematic throughline of the powerful romantic film. Here is why it’s important that Almut’s fate not be seen, but remain quietly obvious.
Tobias & Ella’s Dog Confirms Almut Died In We Live In Time
The Appearance Of A Pet Dog Follows Through On A Somber Set-Up
Tobias and Almut’s daughter having a dog inWe Live In Time’s ending suggests that Almut diedbefore the end of the film. A key emotional throughline of the film is Almut’s ovarian cancer. Although her doctor suggests a hysterectomy, Almut is hesitant because it would make conceiving children difficult. However, this risks the cancer returning, something that happens a few years after their daughter Ella is born. At this point, Almut tells Tobias how studies report children with dead pets deal with loss better, and morbidly jokes that they get a dog to help Ella deal with her death.
Given [We Live In Time’s] reflection on grief and prior mention of a dog, this heavily implies that Almut has died by this point in the narrative.
This makes the presence of a dog inWe Live In Time’s last scene all the more telling. While there’s no overt proof that Almut died, this new dog is accompanied by a reversal of the movie’s opening sequence, where Almut collects eggs and prepares breakfast. At the end, it’s Tobias and Ella who go through this process, alongside their pet.Given the film’s reflection on grief and prior mention of a dog, this heavily implies that Almut has died by this point in the narrative. This makes the ending of the non-linear movie the actual conclusion of the story.
When Did Almut Die In We Live In Time?
Almut’s Biggest Victory Likely Came Right Before Her Death
One of the functionally interesting elements ofWe Live In Timeis the way the story is largely told out of order. While the overarching narrative follows the beginnings and ending of a romance between Tobias and Almut, it’s splintered andhops around the timeline of their relationship. However, there are some context clues that seem to confirm when the ending of the film happens in the actual plot. One of the major disruptions in Almut and Tobias' relationship is the discovery that Almut has been actively training for the Bocuse d’Or, a high-pressure cooking competition that risks her health.
The Bocuse d’Or is a real global chef’s championship held bi-annually in Lyon, France.
The climax of the film sees Tobias overcome his frustration at this discovery and attend the event with Ella, openly supporting Almut while she competes. The film never reveals how Almut fared in the competition, as she quickly decides to leave the arena with her family after she completes the challenge. Almut’s presence in the movie ends with her spending quality time with her family. The next scene is the final sequence of the film. Ella has notably not aged significantly from that sequence to the end of the film, suggesting thatAlmut died not long after the Bocuse d’Or.
Why We Live In Time Doesn’t Show Almut’s Death On Screen
The Film’s Focus On Live & Love Supersede The Importance Of Death
Almut’s death inWe Live In Timeisn’t actually depicted in the film. This means there is a possibility, however remote, that Almut did not die. However, just because her death isn’t shown doesn’t mean it didn’t happen. If anything, the lack of a tearjerking death scene for Almut fits the tone of the film better.We Live In Timehighlights the highs and lows of life, discovering unexpected comedy and heartbreaking sadness within these small moments. In essence, both Tobias and Almut are truly living in each moment of time within the film, highlighting the value of small moments.
Where To Watch We Live In Time: Showtimes & Streaming Status
We Live In Time is an upcoming drama that is already getting Oscar buzz, and it soon will be available for audiences to watch in theaters nationwide.
As a result, actively showing Almut’s death or the immediate aftermath would feel like a betrayal of the film’s central themes. Instead, it would be putting a concluding point on the timeline, a concrete ending in a lifetime defined by moments that can be remembered forever. It’s possible to look at the film as a collection of memories, brief flashes where Almut and Tobias were truly alive. In that sense,focusing on Almut’s death would have betrayed this core element of the story’s presentation. This is likely why Almut didn’t actually die on screen, and didn’t have death overtly confirmed.
Almut’s Death Gives Her Choices In Life Extra Meaning
The themes ofWe Live In Timeare predicated on decisions to live in the moment. Tobias and Almut’s entire romance survives because of taking agency and acting on their feelings. Tobias and Almut’s near-breakup over discussion of kids is solved by Tobias actively making amends. Their daughter is born away from a hospital but in a surprisingly safe gas station because of Almut’s willingness to abandon their car. As Almut explains when Tobias confronts her about the Bocuse d’Or, she wants to be remembered by their daughter for what she chose to do, instead of what happened to her.
This is why Almut’s apparent death is a powerful element inWe Live In Time. The entire film is snapshots of two lives, the choices they make in the face of mortality. Almut actively chooses to compete and prove her mettle in a globally-recognized challenge, and then chooses to spend her remaining time with her family. It gives her life meaning, regardless of how tragic and unfair her death may be. It speaks to the core ofWe Live In Time, highlighting the importance of the choices we make in a world that can take them away with little warning.
We Live in Time
Cast
A witty chef and a recent divorcee have a chance encounter that changes their lives. As their love story unfolds, they build a life together, but a hidden truth threatens to unravel their relationship, bringing humor, drama, and emotional depth to their journey.
