Love that transcends time, unexpected meetings, and the growth of human relationships—Richard Linklater’s Before Trilogy is truly one of the most genuine looks at romance and reality in film. With Before Sunrise (1995), Before Sunset (2004), and Before Midnight (2013), this series tells a love story that unfolds over many years, skillfully blending spontaneity, rich conversations, and emotional depth. Now, we will look at each film and delve into how the trilogy develops its key themes and characters throughout the years!
The Story Begins in Vienna
In Before Sunrise (1995), American traveler Jesse meets French student Céline on a train heading to Vienna. What begins as a casual conversation turns into an unforgettable night of walking, talking, and slowly falling in love. This film sets the tone for the Before Trilogy. Jesse and Céline share philosophical conversations about life, death, love, and dreams. There’s no traditional plot, but the emotional weight is very obvious. Their chemistry feels real because of how naturally the dialogue flows. Linklater’s script, co-written with Kim Krizan and improvised by Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy, creates a raw intimacy rarely seen in romantic dramas. To explore similar themes in other movies, check out our article on how the DCEU might be saved.
Before Sunset: A Chance Encounter in Paris
Nine years later, Before Sunset (2004) brings us back to Jesse and Céline. Jesse is now a successful author promoting his book in Paris, and Céline unexpectedly shows up at his signing. They have only a couple of hours together before Jesse has to catch his flight back to the U.S. Before Sunset captures a more mature energy. Life has changed them—Jesse is married with a child, Céline is an environmental activist, and both carry emotional baggage.
I can say that this ends up building on the first movie’s open-ended conclusion. Their conversations are deeper and emotionally loaded. By the end, it’s clear: their connection remains powerful. The ending is deliberately ambiguous in Before Sunset, a hallmark of the Before Trilogy. This story doesn’t tell you what happens next, but it makes you feel it. That uncertainty is exactly what gives Before Sunset its power. It invites viewers to imagine the possibilities of love when life gets in the way and whether second chances are ever truly possible.
Reality Sets In Over Time
As our couple navigates middle age, the film confronts the growing pains of sustaining love over time compared to Before Sunrise and Before Sunset. Their conversations aren’t dreamy or flirtatious anymore—they’re about parenting, career regrets, and unmet expectations. The tension builds gradually, culminating in a raw and extended hotel room argument that lays bare their deepest insecurities. What makes this sequence so compelling is its realism.
Jesse feels torn between fatherhood and his relationship with Céline, while Céline questions whether their love has become transactional. These aren’t just lovers anymore—they’re partners trying to reconcile who they were with who they’ve become. Before Midnight (2013) doesn’t tie things up neatly. It offers no clear resolution, only a quiet moment of connection that feels earned rather than scripted. It forces viewers to consider what it means to stay in love, not fall in love, when life gets messy. It’s this brutal honesty that makes the trilogy’s conclusion unforgettable.
What the Trilogy Really Means
What sets the Before Trilogy apart is its honest depiction of time and connection. Each film reflects a different stage of love, hope, and finally, reality. The characters grow alongside the audience, and the long gaps between films mirror real-life progression. The use of time as a storytelling device is brilliant. Instead of flashbacks or exposition, Linklater lets years pass both on-screen and off, allowing the actors to age with their characters. It’s cinematic realism at its finest. The trilogy doesn’t give us a fairy tale. It gives us something better: the truth. And that truth is that love, though imperfect, is still worth pursuing—again and again.
