A Big Bold Stunning Journey Review: Margot Robbie and Colin Farrell in a Magical Romance

A Big Bold Beautiful Journey is a 2025 American romantic fantasy film directed by Kogonada and written by Seth Reiss. Starring Margot Robbie and Colin Farrell, the film follows two strangers who meet at a wedding and embark on a surreal journey through their pasts via a mysterious rental car with a magical GPS. Released in the Philippines on September 17, 2025, and in the United States on September 19, 2025, by Sony Pictures Releasing, the movie blends elements of romantic drama and fantasy as it explores themes of love, loss, and second chances.

The film received mixed reviews from critics and underperformed at the box office, grossing $20.2 million against a $45 million net budget. Despite its commercial outcome, the performances of Robbie and Farrell were noted for their emotional depth, particularly in sequences where their characters revisit pivotal moments from their lives, including a memorable scene where Farrell’s character sings and dances in a high school musical.

Plot and Themes

After meeting at a friend’s wedding, David (Colin Farrell) and Sarah (Margot Robbie) find themselves sharing a rental car from an unusual company. The vehicle’s GPS guides them to a series of magical rest stops, each triggering flashbacks to key moments in their pasts. David, an Irish immigrant who dreamed of becoming a husband and father, contrasts with Sarah, who has grown disillusioned with relationships. As they traverse these dreamlike sequences—visiting burger joints, rest stops, and surreal doorways—they confront their fears, regrets, and the possibility of change.

The narrative draws comparisons to films like Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind and Before Sunrise for its introspective tone and utilize of memory as a storytelling device. The film’s fantasy elements serve as metaphors for emotional healing, allowing the characters to reevaluate their choices and imagine alternative paths.

Cast and Performances

Margot Robbie portrays Sarah, a woman whose love for musical theater is reflected in her childhood bedroom adorned with posters of West Side Story and Singin’ in the Rain. Robbie, known for her roles in Barbie, Babylon, and Amsterdam, brings warmth and vulnerability to the part, though she has downplayed her own singing abilities in interviews.

Colin Farrell plays David, a character who rediscovers his youthful passion for performance when the GPS transports him back to his 15-year-old self, starring in a high school production of How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. In this sequence, Farrell sings and dances, an experience he initially approached with hesitation but later described as enjoyable once he embraced the moment. Robbie recalled being “positively gleeful” watching him perform, noting the energy and authenticity of the scene, which was filmed over several hours with a live audience.

Production and Release

A Big Bold Beautiful Journey was directed by Kogonada, known for his visually distinctive operate in films like Columbus and After Yang. The screenplay was written by Seth Reiss, with production led by Bradley Thomas, Ryan Friedkin, Youree Henley, and Reiss himself. Cinematography was handled by Benjamin Loeb, and the film was edited by Susan E. Kim and Jonathan Alberts. Composer Joe Hisaishi, renowned for his collaborations with Studio Ghibli, provided the score.

The film was produced by Columbia Pictures, 30West, and Imperative Entertainment, and distributed by Sony Pictures Releasing. With a reported net budget of $45 million, it opened first in the Philippines on September 17, 2025, followed by a U.S. Release two days later on September 19, 2025.

Reception and Box Office

Upon release, A Big Bold Beautiful Journey received mixed critical reviews. While praised for its lead performances, visual style, and emotional ambition, some critics found the pacing uneven and the fantasy elements inconsistent in tone. The film struggled at the box office, earning just $20.2 million worldwide, marking it as a commercial disappointment relative to its budget.

Despite this, the film has garnered attention for its unique premise and the chemistry between Robbie and Farrell, both of whom spoke openly about the challenges and rewards of stepping outside their comfort zones for the project.

Where to Watch

As of April 2026, A Big Bold Beautiful Journey is available for streaming on select platforms and continues to air periodically on television. It was recently featured in a TV lineup guide highlighting it as one of the seven best films to watch on a given week, paired with family-friendly options like Despicable Me for viewers seeking a contrast in tone.

Whether revisiting the film or discovering it for the first time, audiences are invited to reflect on its central question: Can revisiting the past support us build a better future?