An Innovative Twist on a Familiar Love Story

Read Time:5 Minute, 20 Second

MOVIE REVIEW
Juliet & Romeo
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Genre: Drama, Musical, Romance
Year Released: 2025
Runtime: 2h 1m
Director(s): Timothy Scott Bogart
Writer(s): Timothy Scott Bogart
Cast: Clara Rugaard, Jamie Ward, Jason Isaacs, Rebel Wilson, Rupert Everett, Dan Fogler, Derek Jacobi, Rupert Graves, Ferdia Walsh-Peelo, Tayla Parx, Ledisi, Dennis Andres, Martina Oritiz Luiz, Alex Grech, Max Parker
Where to Watch: in select theaters May 9, 2025

RAVING REVIEW: Taking on one of the most universally recognized stories is a tall order—reinvention runs the risk of either redundancy or overreach. JULIET & ROMEO reshuffles the foundation, relocating the source material’s roots and infusing the narrative with a pulse of modern music. Positioned at the twilight of the medieval era, this adaptation swaps iambic verse for pop vocals and trades theatrical tradition for emotional spectacle. It’s a bold fusion of historical backdrop and contemporary flair, driven more by concept than cohesion.

This version wants to reshape its core rather than simply modernizing an old story. Writer/director Timothy Scott Bogart approaches it not with reverence, but curiosity. What if the version we know is just one account, skewed over time? That driving question becomes the theme, and it’s not just a narrative flourish. By tying the romance and tragedy to the speculative idea that Shakespeare’s source material wasn’t entirely accurate, the film gives itself license to explore alternate truths and unexpected outcomes. It’s a creative way of distancing itself from the expectations that usually plague adaptations of well-known works, and it opens the door to a different kind of storytelling—one grounded in intrigue as much as drama.

A project like this lives or dies by its central performances, and the casting here is surprisingly on point. Clara Rugaard's portrayal of Juliet stands out as thoughtful and assertive. Her version of the character feels like she’s stepping out of history, rather than being pulled along by the events around her. Jamie Ward, as Romeo, leans into the character’s romantic desperation without tipping into parody, grounding his scenes with a quiet intensity. Together, they carry much of the emotional weight, especially regarding the film’s musical interludes. Their standout number, "Beat the Same," is a thesis statement for the entire movie, about two people attempting to find harmony in a world built to tear them apart.

Musically, the film takes risks that won’t work for everyone, and in a smart move, it never plays it safe. The decision to use pop music instead of classical compositions or period-appropriate instruments might be jarring for those expecting historical loyalty, but that’s not what this movie is going for. The soundtrack is intentionally contemporary, both in sound and structure, and each song functions more as an emotional outburst than exposition. These aren’t passive musical numbers—declarations, inner monologues turned outward, bursting from characters at key moments when spoken dialogue would fall short. That approach adds urgency, though the contrast between the modern music and historical visuals is occasionally disorienting.

Where the film shines is in its world-building. Bogart and production designer Dante Ferretti made this medieval setting feel like a lived one. The environment is functional and evocative, from castle interiors lit by real firelight to street-level grit and elegance. That attention to detail anchors the film in reality just enough. Cinematographer Byron Werner deserves credit for embracing those contrasts—his lighting choices highlight the divide between characters’ internal conflicts and the chaos surrounding them.

Supporting characters aren’t just background noise either. Rebel Wilson’s Lady Capulet is unexpectedly layered, showing a woman navigating her world while shaping her daughter's future. Jason Isaacs brings a similar level of controlled intensity to Lord Montague, while Dan Fogler’s Apothecary role adds humor without undercutting the stakes. Derek Jacobi’s presence as Friar Lawrence lends gravitas and ties the story to its source material in a way that feels organic rather than gimmicky.

That said, not all the experiments succeed. The attempt to set up a larger world we don’t see occasionally distracts from the central relationship. Subplots that feel more like groundwork than essential story can cause the throughline to blur.

Yet despite those stumbles, what works here works well enough to make the overall experience intriguing. It’s not trying to be a definitive version of this classic—it’s trying to be something else entirely, and that’s where the value lies. By reshaping the lens through which this story is told, the film creates room for new interpretations and payoffs. It might not satisfy everyone looking for a traditional retelling, but it offers plenty for audiences open to reinterpretation.

JULIET & ROMEO ask big questions, make big swings, and deliver a final product reflecting that ambition. There’s a clear vision at work, one that fuses history with the present day. And even if every beat doesn’t land, the commitment is hard to ignore. This is a reimagining that reimagines—and whether you come away loving it or not, it’s not something you’ll forget quickly.

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[photo courtesy of BRIARCLIFF ENTERTAINMENT]

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