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Step Back, Doors Closing

  • Rated Not Rated
  • 1hr 38m

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Movie Info & Cast

Release Date:

Feb 13, 2026

Runtime:

1hr 38m

Synopsis

When two open-hearted young adults spend an accidental weekend together in DC, they discover more about their beliefs, each other, and themselves than they bargained for.
Moviegoers are saying
This intimate romantic drama divides audiences between those charmed by its authentic Washington D.C. setting and natural chemistry, and those who find it derivative of Linklater's 'Before' trilogy. While some praise the breathtaking cinematography and genuine conversations between leads Carmen Berkeley and Reilly Walters, others criticize its slow pace and superficial philosophical messaging.
Top Mentions
Intimate-Romance
Urban-Poetry
Dialogue-Driven
Breakout-Performance
City-Love-Letter
Post-Mumblecore
Summary generated from the text of Atom User reviews

Letterboxd User Reviews

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RATINGS N/A FANS
  • Mar 15, 2025

    Cozy quirky heterosexual movie, come get ur quirky heterosexuals, hell yea. This was nice, actually surprisingly well shot, several really breathtaking scenes of washington D.C and judicious bokeh. The movie is mostly just watching 2 quirky straight people hang out, there…

    9 Likes
    PatriciaTaxxon
    PatriciaTaxxon
    Mar 23, 2026

    Derivative; familiar; flat; located; pedestrian; short; slow; unconvincing; unrealistic.

    7 Likes
    joshrowley
    joshrowley
    Jun 27, 2024

    Where To Watch: showing at the 2024 Dances with Films RAVING REVIEW: A whirlwind of romance and self-discovery unfolds in Washington, DC, as two characters, Ryan (Reilly Walters) and Julisa (Carmen Berkeley,) embark on an unexpected journey through a day they’ll never…

    3 Likes
    Overly Honest Reviews
    Overly Honest Reviews
  •
    Feb 19, 2026

    What is it about Richard Linklater’s “Before” trilogy that captivates us time and again? These films map the intimacy shared between Celine (Julie Delpy) and Jesse (Ethan Hawke), who meet as hopeful youth and grow into more jaded versions of themselves over the years. As…

    2 Likes
    High On Films
    High On Films
    Apr 2, 2026

    Set aside the immediate comparisons to the Before trilogy (this is not on that level), and I think this “a day in the life of” romantic drama earns its way on tbe chemistry beteeen it’s leads. I do think it sees itself as slightly more profound in its messaging than it…

    2 Likes
    Dave Courtney
    Dave Courtney
    Feb 13, 2026

    What happened to her yellow jacket? Director must be an idiot. 5 stars.

    2 Likes
    Carter Ward
    Carter Ward
  •
    Mar 15, 2025

    Incredibly charming film with the most beautiful view of Washington DC that I’ve even seen on film. It’s the kind of intimate view you can only get from someone who truly loves their city— telling a story of love that any 24 year old dreams of when stepping into a major…

    2 Likes
    Oliver Johnson
    Oliver Johnson
    Mar 15, 2025

    Theoretically my perfect movie

    2 Likes
    slojomaha
    slojomaha
    Jan 17, 2025

    claiming reilly walters as DMV's version of glen powell. my guy out here crushing that baltimore "o" accent

    2 Likes
    tina 🌈
    tina 🌈
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Frequently Asked Questions

How long is Step Back, Doors Closing (2026)?
The movie is 1hr 38min long.
What's Step Back, Doors Closing (2026) about?
When two open-hearted young adults spend an accidental weekend together in DC, they discover more about their beliefs, each other, and themselves than they bargained for.