“The World to Come,” based on Jim Shepard’s 2017 short story, manages to capture the same refined quality found in his writing. Shepard also contributed to the screenplay alongside Ron Hansen, and his skillful prose translates well into this film about two women seeking connection during the 1800s. In upstate New York, Abigail (Katherine Waterston) is struggling with profound sorrow after losing her four-year-old …

I typically don’t gravitate toward period pieces or romances set in previous eras. It often feels like the dialogue is excessively poetic and overly refined for my taste. To genuinely connect with a character or relationship, I need realistic elements—authentic development, natural conversations, and believable performances. While this might not sit well with everyone, film experiences differ from plays or books; nar…