You Can Live Forever

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1:31

You Can Live Forever

2023

1h 36m

Drama

LGBTQ+

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

91%

Tomatometer

45 Reviews

78%

Popcornmeter

100+ Ratings

In the early '90s, gay teen Jaime is sent to live with her devout Jehovah’s Witness relatives after the death of her father. Jaime makes an unexpected connection with Marike, daughter of a prominent Witness Elder. The two are instantly drawn to each other, and begin a secret, unspoken romance. But when their attraction becomes too obvious to hide, the community moves to separate the two, forcing them each to make a terrible choice between faith and love.

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Critics Consensus

Narratively subtle and beautifully acted, You Can Live Forever finds soulful drama at the intersection of sexual orientation and religious faith.

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Tara Brady

Irish Times

07/04/2023

4/5

This compassionate story of puppy love – co-written and codirected by the former Witness Sarah Watts – shows more understanding towards the community.

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Peter Bradshaw

Guardian

06/12/2023

3/5

It’s got something of Jeanette Winterson’s tenderness, if not exactly the wit, and the movie is interesting and even faintly subversive in its implied analogies concerning conversion and enclosed behaviour systems.

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Christy Lemire

FilmWeek (LAist)

05/17/2023

Sweet, gentle, and understated.

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Karina Adelgaard

Womentainment

Jun 9

4/5

...there’s a reason why this movie has become very popular in the LGBTQ+ community. First, and foremost (I think), it’s because of the very believable romantic story and chemistry between the lead character. Second, and almost as important, this movie...

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Joe Lipsett

Hazel & Katniss & Harry & Starr Podcast

Mar 10

3.5/5

Featuring stand-out performances by Anwen O'Driscoll and June Laporte, the 90s-set film is beautifully quiet and contemplative.

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Codie Allen

Geek Vibes Nation

07/29/2025

9/10

You Can Live Forever is a beautifully crafted cinematic exploration of the universal human themes of identity, desire, and the search for belonging.

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becca D

@RT78242960 Jul 21

I’m an EX JW & this movie was so boring. Should’ve casted actual ex JWs in this movie. No humor. Lacked substance and not interesting. A catholic could’ve done a better job at directing this movie

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Myth H

@RT33801637 Jul 5

man fuck you errybody in this movie needs to die bru. fuck

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Bill T.

@btreakle Jun 11

“You Can Live Forever” This movie is 1 about a story about a young lady whose father suddenly passes away from a heart attack and her mother is so over stricken with grief that she sends her to live with her sister. The sister belongs to the religious sect jehovah witnesses it just proves to be very trying for this young lady who herself is struggling with the grief of the loss of her father. But soon she finds a friend her friend is so much like her both physically and mentally and this is their story. I’m not usually a fan of these types of movies but I really felt this one to move me and it was so believable a story of love.

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Horror fan 4

@Horrorfan4life Jun 10

This was truly a sweet story about 2 girls who start as friends but over time develops into romance. The only problem is the community in which they reside in. There's nothing fresh about that part of the story. They try and hide it but ultimately they get caught. I wasn't really a fan of the ending cause in my opinion you shouldn't get your cake and be able to eat it too. Other than that this was a good time. Tim Treakle

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Jess S.

@JessWatchesCinema Jun 1

A feel good, but also heartbreaking story of a never bending love between two young women. A beautiful piece for anyone in the lgbt community

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Alain E

@AlainE May 25

Love in the time of cholera, that is during a spiritual cult endemic. Two adolescent girls meet and fall in love. One belongs to the sect, which decides that she needs to get married and start having kids. The story is simple but the narrative is done delicately. Other than kissing nothing happens on the screen to corrupt young minds and give them ideas. Very good acting. In the very last scene the possibility of a better outcome remains open. Otherwise quite sad movie. This is not a predominantly LGBTQ etc etc movie, just a very good love story. Do we categorize separately movies that feature different types of interracial couples? On Prime.

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Sarah Watts

Director

Mark Slutsky

Director

Anwen O'Driscoll

Jaime

June Laporte

Marike

Jennifer Laporte

Actor

Liane Balaban

Actor

You Can Live Forever: Trailer 1

1:31

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Synopsis

In the early '90s, gay teen Jaime is sent to live with her devout Jehovah’s Witness relatives after the death of her father. Jaime makes an unexpected connection with Marike, daughter of a prominent Witness Elder. The two are instantly drawn to each other, and begin a secret, unspoken romance. But when their attraction becomes too obvious to hide, the community moves to separate the two, forcing them each to make a terrible choice between faith and love.

Director: Sarah Watts, Mark Slutsky
Producer: Robert Vroom
Screenwriter: Mark Slutsky, Sarah Watts
Distributor: Good Deed Entertainment
Production Co: Prospector Films
Genre: Drama, LGBTQ+
Original Language: Canadian French
Release Date (Theaters): May 5, 2023, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): May 5, 2023
Runtime: 1h 36m