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When I first heard Rye Lane described as “basically Before Sunrise but set in South London”, I had a feeling I would love it—even before I had the chance to watch it. Somehow, it still managed to exceed my expectations. Raine Allen-Miller’s feature directorial debut is witty, touching, and unpretentious—a truly reinvigorating and modern addition to the rom-com genre.
Set in South London, the film follows Dom (David Jonsson) and Yas (Vivian Oparah),
two twenty-somethings who first meet when Yas overhears Dom crying in a gender-
neutral bathroom at their mutual friend’s exhibition. Both are newly single. Dom’s girlfriend of six years just cheated on him with his best friend, while Yas recently broke up with her boyfriend because he wouldn’t wave at tourists on passing boats along the Thames. Red flag.
Jonsson and Oparah’s chemistry is undeniable from the get-go, quipping back and forth at each other through the walls of the toilet stalls before actually meeting one another. Once they do, they spend the rest of the day together, growing closer as they pull one another into a series of messy situations while attempting to resolve their respective problems. The bizarre scenarios they find themselves in—Dom probably didn’t expect to spend hours at a barbecue hosted by Yas’ ex-boyfriend’s two mums—turn out to be the perfect way for two charismatic young people to rush past the awkward early stages of a relationship. Instead, they skip straight to completely knowing and embracing one another, flaws and all.
It’s impossible not to root for Dom and Yas, a testament to the brilliance of Jonsson and Oparah’s acting. Together, they bring the characters to life with playful, light-hearted charm while delivering real, honest performances. The two bounce off of each other naturally, and I found myself invested in their romance in the same way I might be invested in that confusing pair in my friend group’s romance—the messy pair who are clearly meant to be together, but just won’t admit it. Dom and Yas are a classic example of opposites attract, learning from and bringing out the best in each other in a way that feels both natural and endearing. Yet, despite the familiar trope, their relationship never feels cliché, thanks to Jonsson and Oparah’s undeniable charm.
I couldn’t help but smile as I watched Rye Lane—partly because I was witnessing the loveliest “falling in love in the space of one eventful day” story I have seen since the aforementioned Before Sunrise, and partly because that story unfolds against the vibrant, colourful backdrop of South London. Filmed in Brixton, Peckham and South Bank, Rye Lane perfectly captures the liveliness of London—both in the vivid, eye-catching colours that fill the background, and in the film’s fast-paced, busy rhythm. Many of my friends have lived in South London their entire lives, so I’ve become familiar with these areas. Spotting familiar places was a delightful little bonus that made watching the film even more exciting.
The setting of Rye Lane reflects its tone perfectly: refreshing, intimate, and incredibly fun. It’s everything that the rom-com genre needs right now. Watching it feels like you are hanging out with two charming, imperfect people who make you laugh with their sharp, relatable banter and smile at their sweet, deeply human blossoming romance. It’s the perfect feel-good film and a must watch for any rom-com fan. I honestly couldn’t recommend Rye Lane more.
Words by Emily Raynor, she/her
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