All We Imagine as Light makes its themes clear from the very first moments, where different voices describe life in Mumbai—one voice reflecting on forgetting what daylight looked like after long factory shifts, which explains the film’s title. This sets the tone for the journey of Prabha and Anu, two nurses whose lives are shaped by routine and a quiet yearning for something more. Prabha, married to a man who moved to Germany right after their wedding, leads a solitary life focused on her work, while Anu secretly dates a Muslim boy, becoming the subject of gossip.
In her narrative debut, director Payal Kapadia, following her acclaimed documentary work, beautifully captures the rhythm of their daily lives with subtle elegance. From daily commutes to moments of shared empathy, the film explores the possibility of love and companionship for these women, finding its strength in the quiet, intimate moments of their bond slowly unfolding.
When the characters travel to a remote village in the third act, the film aims to show their lives blossoming away from the judgment of the city. Yet the pacing slows, and a particular conversation detracts from the emotional core when it introduces a male character to spell the lessons to the protagonist. Despite this, All We Imagine as Light remains a poetic and tender exploration of love and longing, capturing the small yet meaningful moments in these women’s lives. Ironically, the film’s trailer manages to encapsulate all of its themes in just two minutes, achieving a similar impact with greater subtlety.