Through My Window: Across the Sea (2023) Movie Review – Where to Watch Online
Through My Window: Across the Sea is the highly anticipated sequel to the romantic teen drama Through My Window (2022), based on the popular Wattpad novel of the same name by Ariana Godoy. Directed by Marçal Forés, this sequel continues the steamy romance between Raquel and Ares as they navigate long-distance relationships, family conflicts, and emotional growth.
In this review, we’ll delve into the plot, performances, and key aspects of Through My Window: Across the Sea, while providing information on where to watch it online, especially in the U.S.
Overview of Through My Window: Across the Sea
Directed by: Marçal Forés
Based on: Through My Window by Ariana Godoy
Starring: Clara Galle, Julio Peña, Natalia Azahara, Hugo Arbues
Release Date: June 23, 2023
Runtime: 1h 49m
Genre: Romantic Drama, Teen Drama
This sequel picks up after the events of the first film, where Raquel (Clara Galle) and Ares (Julio Peña) are dealing with the complexities of maintaining a relationship despite being physically separated. Ares has gone to study in Stockholm, while Raquel is left in Barcelona, and the distance begins to test their love. The film explores themes of trust, growth, and passion as the two characters confront the reality of growing up and evolving as individuals while still trying to keep their connection alive.
Plot Breakdown: Navigating Love Across Distances
After establishing their intense, whirlwind romance in the first film, Through My Window: Across the Sea explores the challenges of a long-distance relationship. With Ares studying abroad in Sweden and Raquel staying behind in Spain to pursue her dreams of becoming a writer, the physical and emotional distance begins to weigh heavily on both of them.
As Raquel navigates her own life, developing her identity and struggling to break into the literary world, Ares is faced with the pressures of school and his family. The emotional push-and-pull between them is a central theme, and the film delves into how their time apart allows for personal growth but also fuels insecurities and jealousy. As they both experience new temptations and face decisions that could either strengthen or destroy their relationship, the tension builds.
Other characters from the first film, like Raquel’s friends Daniela (Natalia Azahara) and Yoshi (Guillermo Lasheras), return to add layers to the story, showing the impact of Raquel and Ares’ relationship on their friend group.
What Worked in Through My Window: Across the Sea
1. Chemistry Between the Leads
Clara Galle and Julio Peña once again demonstrate strong chemistry as Raquel and Ares. Their intense romantic connection is a driving force of the film, and the actors convincingly portray the passion and complexity of their relationship. Peña brings depth to Ares, showing his emotional vulnerability and the weight of familial expectations, while Galle’s Raquel is a more independent character this time around, striving for her own ambitions.
2. Visuals and Cinematography
The film is visually striking, with beautiful shots of Barcelona and the Swedish landscapes that emphasize the physical distance between the couple. Director Marçal Forés and cinematographer Elena Martínez use lighting and composition effectively to evoke the contrasting emotions of isolation, longing, and love. The imagery of the sea also plays a symbolic role throughout, representing both the vastness that separates Raquel and Ares and the emotional depths of their relationship.
3. Exploration of Long-Distance Relationships
One of the more relatable aspects of Through My Window: Across the Sea is its exploration of the challenges faced by couples in long-distance relationships. The film delves into the emotional toll of being apart, the anxiety of not being physically present for important moments in each other’s lives, and the struggles with trust and jealousy. While the film is geared towards younger audiences, these universal themes resonate with anyone who has experienced the difficulties of maintaining a relationship over long distances.
4. Supporting Characters
The supporting cast adds depth and humor to the story. Natalia Azahara and Guillermo Lasheras return as Raquel’s friends, offering moments of levity and grounding the film in a more realistic setting. Their subplots, while secondary, help balance the more intense and dramatic aspects of the central romance.
What Fell Short in Through My Window: Across the Sea
1. Overly Familiar Plot
While Through My Window: Across the Sea explores some new territory by dealing with long-distance dynamics, much of the narrative feels overly familiar. The sequel treads similar ground as other romantic dramas, with predictable misunderstandings and conflicts that arise from jealousy and miscommunication. Viewers looking for more innovation in the plot may find themselves wishing for a bit more complexity or surprise.
2. Character Development
Though the leads have undeniable chemistry, their character development remains somewhat limited. Raquel, while more focused on her personal growth, still seems to revolve too heavily around her relationship with Ares. A deeper exploration of her ambitions and inner world could have given the film a stronger emotional core. Similarly, Ares’ character, though expanded to show more of his family dynamics, could have benefited from more individual exploration outside of his romance with Raquel.
Thematic Exploration: Trust and Independence
At its heart, Through My Window: Across the Sea explores the themes of trust and personal independence. As Raquel and Ares grow as individuals, they are forced to confront the fact that their lives may not always be aligned. This theme of self-discovery is woven throughout the film, showing that love can sometimes be a double-edged sword—providing strength but also requiring sacrifice.
The tension between Raquel’s desire for independence and her need for Ares’ presence is a central conflict, and the film handles this with a degree of realism. It acknowledges that love is not always enough to solve life’s problems and that relationships require work, patience, and understanding.
Streaming Services: Where to Watch Through My Window: Across the Sea Online
If you’re looking to stream Through My Window: Across the Sea in the U.S., it is available on the following platforms:
1. Netflix
Through My Window: Across the Sea is a Netflix Original and is available for streaming exclusively on Netflix. As with most Netflix originals, the film is included with a standard Netflix subscription, so subscribers can watch it at no additional cost. If you don’t have a Netflix account, you can sign up for a subscription to access the movie along with a vast library of other films and series.
2. No Rental or Purchase Options
Currently, the film is not available for rental or purchase on platforms like Amazon Prime, Google Play, or Vudu. It remains a Netflix exclusive.
Final Thoughts on Through My Window: Across the Sea
Through My Window: Across the Sea offers a satisfying continuation of Raquel and Ares’ love story, focusing on the challenges of long-distance relationships while delivering the romance and passion fans of the first film expect. Though the plot may be somewhat predictable and the character development limited, the film’s strong visuals and chemistry between the leads help carry it through.
For fans of the first movie or those looking for a dramatic, romantic escape, Through My Window: Across the Sea provides a heartfelt and visually captivating experience. You can stream it now on Netflix.
