
Andrew Garfield and Florence Pugh seduce us in We Live in Time
We haven’t been this invested in some strangers’ love affair since Andrew Garfield (The Amazing Spider-Man 1 and 2) and comedian Amelia Dimoldenberg flirted their little cotton socks off during their viral Chicken Shop Date – which made its way out of the studio, onto the red carpet, and into our hearts!
Andrew plays Tobias, one half of a romantic duo – with Florence Pugh’s (A Good Person) Almut – in John Crowley and Nick Payne’s new romantic comedy-drama We Live in Time. It’s a film that captures the way that loving someone completely remakes your world.

“I liked that Almut and Tobias’s love story didn’t have smooth edges, that it was sparky and tangled and honest in ways that intrigued me,” says director John Crowley. “I liked that Almut and Tobias are not particularly looking for anyone in their lives when they meet, but one day turns into another and you see how they start to build a life in that way. I liked the way the story is set outside linear time because it becomes about the choices Almut and Tobias make inside their relationship. Within what is also just a very funny, human, moving story.”
Plus, they fall all over themselves from how much they fancy another! “I was spoiled growing up by all the Notting Hills and Four Weddings and A Funerals, these quintessentially British, very human storylines we all wanted to watch, and be part of, and hopefully have one day. And this story taps into that same rich level of romance,” promises Florence Pugh. “The moment Almut and Tobias lock eyes, you know, no matter how much they wind each other up and how much they’ll evolve, they’re meant to be together. You’re totally ready to follow them through their every single high and every single low because their love feels so pure and real.”
It’s a love real enough to withstand anything time can throw at them. “Almut and Tobias are confronted by grief, as we all are ultimately, but this only sharpens their humour, their joy, their desire to live consciously. Their beautiful energy stands in opposition to life’s darkness,” says John Crowley.
But why give the director the last word? Let’s hear from the lovers themselves…
Stream We Live in Time now.
Shaved and served by Chef Almut

Get in Chef Almut’s way, and she’ll run you over – literally in the case of her first meeting with the man who will become the love of her life, Tobias. Almut is single but she’s not looking for love at all. She just wants to make a name for herself, through her expertise and creativity, in a cutthroat field. “I saw Almut as a really driven and really normal single woman, someone I could see myself in, and someone who I think audiences will see themselves in,” says Florence. “It felt absolutely wonderful to play someone going through so many of the things someone my age really goes through. I know so many hardworking, opinionated women just like Almut.”
To give Almut her due, Florence undertook a boot camp at Hide, a Michelin-star restaurant in London. She worked the typical 6:30am-to-4pm shifts, and learned to plate meals under the exacting eye of Chef Ollie Dabbous. “I love food and cooking, but I’m not a chef, so I wanted to make sure Almut really held herself, moved and interacted as a world-class chef would,” says Florence. “One thing I learned is that the key to any truly great kitchen is ultra-respect between every person, and that’s the tone Almut tries to set.”
There was more research to come, as Florence explored what would be involved in Almut’s treatment for ovarian cancer – an essential part of understanding some of the decisions that she makes. “As much as Almut’s illness is a turning point in her life with Tobias, it’s not a turning point in who she is,” Florence explains. “I wanted the audience to only catch glimpses of it, to see when she’s tired, or when she’s feeling alone, but mostly to see that with Tobias and their daughter, she is always the rock of the family and tenaciously strong … Almut asks herself, ‘should I have a longer life but have a sh*t time, or do I have a shorter life and have a good time?’ And she decides to have the best time, full of love, with no regrets, and to focus on leaving a legacy for her daughter so she can say, ‘wow, look at what my mother did.’”
Alma’s attitude shines through in what could have been one of the film’s most darkly tragic scenes, in which she has Tobias shave her head … which Florence decided to film live on camera. “When I read that scene, I was struck by how beautiful, how happy and full of life it was, and that made me understand even better what the movie was trying to do. I loved that she wanted to make it a day their daughter could remember in a positive way.”
Tobias the Weetabix Man

At first Almut knows Tobias only as the Weetabix Man. Tobias, who’s recently gotten divorced, is so dedicated to his corporate career for the breakfast food company that he doesn’t see Almut’s car heading right for him. Whoops! “He's a pretty tightly wound guy who draws within the lines, who doesn't want to ruffle any feathers, who doesn’t have much access to his own wildness or freedom,” Andrew observes. “And then he is pulled into the completely unbridled, anarchic chaos of love through the tornado-like persona of Almut. Almut challenges him to risk everything. And once he takes that risk, he realises he’s now been invited into the party of life, into the full possibility of what a life can be and how deep love can go.
“What an opportunity to work with such deep themes and ideas through such elegant, delicate, subtle storytelling,” says Andrew. “Love is such a vital human experience, and this story reminds us of the many ways that love runs through our lives. It’s not just a romantic love story. It’s equally a love story about a daughter and what her parents want to give her. It’s about the lasting ripples of love and how they permeate everything.
“While Tobias might seem passive, I think he does have power, and I wanted to honour the kind of person who keeps their strength mostly hidden, yet when it does come out, it is maybe even more powerful because it’s been held back for so long. This is a story that cracks your heart open to the beauty and mystery of life, that honours the people who anchor us to this existence. The big lesson Tobias learns from Almut is that in any life worth living, you’ll inevitably have losses, but you've got to let in as much love as possible,” says Andrew.
Well, stop us, because we’re in love with life now (and maybe with Andrew and Florence, too)!
Stream We Live in Time now and if you’re in love with love, read more about our favourite romantic series on Showmax.
More like this

Iyanu: The Age of Wonders (2025)
When Meje, the living embodiment of the seven deadly sins, threatens the land, young warriors Dara and Ishe must prevent an age of darkness.

Finding Optel's Zenobia Kloppers on her breakout year
Zenobia Kloppers talks about Finding Optel, which is having its international premiere at BFI London Film Festival and comes to Showmax on 24 October.

Just believe: 10 faith-based movies to stream
Need some inspiration? Stream these moving, heartfelt films about healing, love and faith on Showmax.

The Unbreakable Boy (2025)
Zachary Levi stars in this heartfelt, inspiring film based on a real-life story of a family caring for their autistic son with brittle bone disease.

June Squibb wins Best Actress award at age 95 for Thelma
Thelma, starring Oscar nominee June Squibb in her first lead role, lands on Showmax on Monday, 22 September.

Youngins S1-3
When a teen flees from a family tragedy in rural KZN to a boarding school in Jozi, she gets entangled in a scandal of epic proportions.

Kealeboga Masango’s wild ride in Youngins' final season
Kealeboga Masango talks about Buhle's wild ride in the final season of Youngins, premiering Friday, 19 September on Showmax.

Where to see the cast of Levels on Showmax
From Bonko Khoza as Steve to Lunathi Mampofu as Bongi and Melusi Mbele as Frans, see the cast of Levels in some of their acclaimed roles on Showmax.
Laugh Africa Comedy Festival S2 on Showmax
Youngins S3, coming soon to Showmax
More enthralling movies

Wie Word 'n Miljoenêr? S2-5
The world's biggest game show - in Afrikaans! Contestants must answer general knowledge questions correctly to win R1 million in cash.

Relebogile Mabotja to host the two-hour Married at First Sight reunion special
Married at First Sight S3 wraps with a two-hour reunion special, hosted by Relebogile Mabotja, on Sunday, 5 October on Mzansi Magic and Showmax.

Iyanu: The Age of Wonders (2025)
When Meje, the living embodiment of the seven deadly sins, threatens the land, young warriors Dara and Ishe must prevent an age of darkness.

South Africa in third place at International Emmys, with four MultiChoice nominations
Stream all four International Emmy-nominated series Koek, School Ties, Chasing the Sun 2, and Catch Me a Killer on Showmax.
Latest Stories

The clash of the new number 9s: Gyökeres vs Woltemade

Red vs Blue: Showmax Premier League serves up a blockbuster weekend

Blockbuster Premier League weekend: Red vs Blue

Where to see the cast of Levels on Showmax

Showmax presents September 5: A riveting look at a pivotal moment in news history

From doubt to dynamo: Micky van de Ven's rise at Tottenham

Mhlongo's bold prediction: Pirates to clinch MTN8 Title for a fourth year running

Glory awaits: From MTN8 Kings to Manchester's Crown, football's biggest stage is on Showmax

Art, money and power: a blueprint for The Brutalist

Uncover the soul of South African football with the boxset of Giants

Rianza Snyman on Vaal Riviera and being a stay-at-home mom

The best Premier League signings of 2025's summer window

SA siblings’ debut film chosen for BFI London Film Festival

Simo Magwaza on his challenging role as De Klerk in Youngins

Christopher Jaftha gets top billing in raunchy Khaki Fever

Nkululeko Mahlangu on Makoto, marriage and more

Alexander Isak a great option for LFC's attack, say former Liverpool striker David Ngog

What to watch on Showmax in September 2025

Kate and Annie take charge in Ten Pound Poms Season 2

Tshepo Miya talks about being on Married at First Sight

Vilakazi's verdict: Sundowns to "edge it" in high-stakes MTN8 semi-final

Khaki Fever and more sexy Afrikaans movies and series

Rivalries reignite in thrilling Premier League games on Showmax

5 patients you’ll meet in The Pitt Season 1