Watch Philophobia: or the Fear of Falling in Love

Philophobia: or the Fear of Falling in Love is a 2019 comedic drama directed by Tyler Cole, who co-wrote the film with Brody Gusar. The movie revolves around a young man named Kai (played by Aaron Burt), who is struggling with his fear of falling in love, which is also referred to as Philophobia. Kai’s condition is the result of his parents' tumultuous relationship and eventual divorce, which left him emotionally scarred.

As the story begins, Kai is working as a bartender in a small town and is content with his life, which does not involve any romantic relationships. He is more interested in writing and is working on his first novel. One day, he meets a beautiful and quirky woman named Lacy (played by Emily Pearse), who comes into the bar where he works. Despite his initial reservations, Kai begins to open up to Lacy, and a tentative romance begins to blossom between them.

As Kai and Lacy’s relationship progresses, Kai's phobia begins to intensify, and he is unable to shake off the haunting memories of his parents' failed relationship. He refuses to acknowledge his feelings for Lacy and even goes to great lengths to avoid her. And just when Kai thinks he has succeeded in distancing himself from her, Lacy decides to surprise him with a visit, and Kai's carefully constructed facade begins to crumble.

The movie showcases Kai's journey as he confronts his deep-seated fears and tries to come to terms with his emotions. With the help of his best friend Morris (played by David Lengel), who is a bit of a misfit himself, Kai slowly begins to open up and embrace life. Morris serves as a sort of a moral compass for Kai and helps him navigate through the ups and downs of his love life.

The performances in Philophobia are top-notch, with all three leads delivering nuanced and realistic portrayals of their characters. The chemistry between Burt and Pearse is palpable, and their banter is charming and witty. Lengel provides excellent comic relief with his deadpan delivery and impeccable timing, and he adds a unique flavor to the movie.

The writing for the film is clever, and the dialogue is sharp and engaging. The characters are well-developed, and their backstories are fleshed out in such a way that the audience can empathize with them. The movie's pacing is spot-on, and the gradual progression of the romance between the lead characters is believable and organic.

The film manages to tackle a sensitive topic like the fear of falling in love with a refreshing and light-hearted approach. It provides an insightful commentary on contemporary relationships and makes a compelling case for the importance of perseverance and the willingness to take risks. The movie's theme has a universal appeal and can resonate with audiences of all ages.

Overall, Philophobia: or the Fear of Falling in Love is a delightful watch that will leave you feeling hopeful and uplifted. It manages to strike a perfect balance between comedy and drama and showcases the complexities of human emotions with great skill. This film is a testament to the fact that sometimes the real fear is not the fear of falling in love, but the fear of letting go of our preconceived notions and taking a leap of faith.

Philophobia: or the Fear of Falling in Love is a 2019 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 25 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 4.4.