“What if Death wanted to understand life? What if he fell in love?”I saw this one in 2025, well, am almost 30 years late to this movie!
You know those movies that linger in your mind, long after the credits roll? For me, Meet Joe Black is one of them. It’s not your typical weekday watch—it’s slow, quiet, and asks you to sit with it. And honestly, I didn’t mind, over the weekend, hence 😀
The story is simple but strange!
Anthony Hopkins plays William Parrish, this big, successful businessman who’s about to turn 65. But here’s the twist, Death shows up, in the form of Brad Pitt (who, by the way, looks like he walked straight out of a dream in this one, he was way too young back then, just like he is now!). Death calls himself Joe Black, and instead of just taking William away, he decides to stick around for a while to understand what life is all about. And, because nothing in life—or death—is simple, Joe falls for William’s daughter, Susan, played by the gorgeous Claire Forlani.
It’s a weird premise, right? Death falling in love? But somehow, it works.
What I Loved
First off, Brad Pitt as Joe Black is… mesmerising. He has this innocence, like he’s a kid experiencing everything for the first time, but there’s also this weight to him, like he’s carrying the knowledge of the universe. His moments with Claire Forlani are so soft and sweet—they’re not over-the-top, but they make you feel something.
Anthony Hopkins, though, is the real heart of this movie. He plays William with so much dignity and wisdom. You can tell he’s someone who’s lived a full life and is struggling to let go of it. I think that’s what stayed with me the most—the way the movie talks about life and love, not as grand, dramatic things, but as something simple and real.
But Let’s Be Real…
Okay, I have to say this: the movie is long. Like, really long. It’s almost three hours, and some scenes definitely drag. There were moments I found myself checking the time, wondering when it would pick up again. But, weirdly enough, the slowness kind of fits. It’s like the movie is telling you, “Hey, slow down, take it all in.” And when you do, you start to appreciate the little things—the quiet pauses, the glances, the unspoken moments.
What Hit Me the Hardest
This might sound cheesy, but the movie made me think about my own life. There’s a scene where Joe talks about saying goodbye, and it just… got to me. It reminded me of how fleeting everything is—how we take things, and people, for granted. It’s not just a movie about Death coming to Earth; it’s about how we live, how we love, and how we let go.
Would I Recommend It?
Look, Meet Joe Black isn’t for everyone. If you’re looking for something fast-paced or exciting, this isn’t it. But if you’re in the mood for something reflective, something that makes you think about the bigger picture, give it a shot. It’s flawed, sure—it’s slow, a bit self-indulgent at times—but it has this quiet beauty that sneaks up on you.
And honestly, watching Anthony Hopkins and Brad Pitt share the screen is worth it alone.
Final Thoughts
Meet Joe Black isn’t the kind of movie you watch while scrolling through your phone. It’s the kind that quietly demands your attention and makes you feel something. It’s not flawless, but honestly, that’s okay. Sometimes, a movie’s power lies in making you stop for a moment, reflect, and maybe even feel a little emotional. And for me, this one definitely did that.
