Streaming tips

Recent film romances

Rye Lane

Yas meets Dom after catching him sobbing over an ex in a public bathroom. The two commiserate over recent breakups and plot revenge against their rejecters. But it’s the long stretches of the pair talking and walking through South London, plus Vivian Oparah’s and David Jonsson’s charm, that make this 2023 indie. Hulu

Afire

In this 2023 German drama from director Christian Petzold, a solipsistic writer is slowly drawn to a free-spirited housemate at a shared vacation home. Their curious bond deepens as nearby forest fires build from foreboding to tragic. $6 on demand

Shortcomings

Actor Randall Park’s directorial debut lifts off like a typical romantic comedy, with Californians Ben and Miko agreeing to a relationship pause while she’s interning in New York. But a couple of flings and a crosscountry trip take Ben, and the movie, in surprising directions. $6 on demand

The Other Zoey

Zoey, a brainy college student portrayed by the affable Josephine Langford, sympathetically plays along when Zach, a handsome amnesiac, mistakes her for his girlfriend, also named Zoey. But then the stand-in Zoey meets Zach’s cousin, and begins plotting a smooth swap. Prime

What’s Love Got to Do With It?

Not to be confused with the Tina Turner biopic, this romantic comedy is powered by leads Lily James and Shazad Latif. James is a documentarian who learns a thing or two about relationships when she films her childhood friend’s journey to Pakistan to fulfill his arranged marriage. $2 on demand

Other People’s Children

In French director Rebecca Zlotowski’s affecting romance, a 40-something schoolteacher played by Virginie Efira falls in love with both a dashing auto designer and his 4-year-old daughter. Mubi