Are you dying to see something good tonight but don’t have much time? We have the perfect recommendation. Pedro Almodóvar’s short film 2023 strange way of life – starring Ethan Hawke and Pedro Pascal as former lovers – has recently been added to the Netflix catalogue.
The 31-minute film premiered to great acclaim during last year’s film festival circuit and currently has a 76% freshness rating on Rotten Tomatoes with 95 reviews.
After screening at popular venues such as the Cannes Film Festival and the Toronto International Film Festival, the film was released theatrically in the United States in October 2023.
Told as a romantic drama and a western, strange way of life It follows Silva (Pascal) as he visits Sheriff Jake (Hawke) following the murder of the lawman’s brother’s wife. The two are ex-lovers and Silva has an ulterior motive.
The film is filled with sensual camerawork and suspenseful moments as viewers connect the dots of Silva and Jake’s relationship. In the end, the short has been transformed into a moving meditation on love, family and sacrifice.
As a short, the film leaves a lot to be desired. The ending feels rushed and the story is underexplored as it leaves “slice of life” territory and moves on to something bigger. Maybe the short will get the big Hollywood treatment that baby shiva and Marcel la Concha with his shoes on received, both being shorts that were later adapted into feature films. In short, if a short film leaves so much to be desired, it must have been something special to begin with.
Wondering why we recommendstrange way of lifetonight? Out of every night? Queue the movie and we’ll tell you.
Why look?strange way of lifeTonight?
The obvious answer is: because you finally can! strange way of life had a limited release in theaters and was recently added to Netflix, making it accessible to the general population. So if you’ve heard of this short film (or not) and haven’t had a chance to see it, there has never been a better time than now.

strange way of life It is romantic and moving and it would be a shame not to celebrate its streaming premiere. Whether you’re putting on the movie for quick viewing after your kids go to bed or turning it into an at-home movie event with popcorn, wine, and friends, it’s sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
It’s also worth mentioning that the film’s leads, Pascal and Hawke, are major stars with promising filmographies, and director Almodóvar is a queer icon. A dream trio!
Seriously, what are you waiting for? The film is a short and sweet romantic drama with horses, ancient weapons, and a raw exploration of longing and intimacy. Start streaming!
Synopsis: To protect his son from a murder charge, a cowboy has an intimate encounter with a former lover (now a sheriff) hoping to influence the lawman.
Cast: Ethan Hawke, Pedro Pascal
Release date: October 6, 2023
Where to stream:Netflix