Irreplaceable You

Abbie (Gugu Mbatha-Raw) and Sam (Michiel Huisman) have been in love since they were little kids in IRREPLACEABLE YOU. Now they’re grown-ups. She works in publishing; he’s a college teacher. They’re deep into planning their wedding, and the future couldn’t look brighter. When Abbie shows signs of an early pregnancy, it only increases their joy. Unfortunately, when they visit the doctor, they discover that Abbie isn’t pregnant. She has a “tangerine-sized” tumor. Further tests reveal that it’s stage 4 cancer. Active treatment may prolong Abbie’s life, but the outlook is bleak. And so the two embark upon what will certainly be their last journey together. Abbie opts for chemotherapy, visits with her mom, and participates in a support group (with Steve Coogan, Christopher Walken, and Kate McKinnon to invigorate the proceedings). Sam is a willing partner, loving and accessible. But Abbie has other plans to implement as well. Hoping to lessen Sam’s suffering and grief, she sets out to find a woman he can love afterward. If nothing else has caused the already fraught situation to erupt in conflict, Abbie’s plan certainly does. The very heart of their relationship is threatened, and that may be the saddest part of it all.