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Before Sunrise, Before Sunset, Before Midnight: A Philosophical Exploration
Richard Linklater's trilogy of critically acclaimed 'Before' films—Before Sunrise, Before Sunset and Before Midnight—depict the ongoing relationship and romantic destiny of two characters played by Julie Delpy and Ethan Hawke.
This collection of specially commissioned chapters explores the many philosophical issues raised in the films, including: the nature of love, romanticism and marriage, the meaning of life, the passage and experience of time, the narrative self, gender, death.
Including an introduction by the editors summarising the trilogy, and an interview with Julie Delpy in which she discusses the key themes of the films and the importance of studying philosophy, Before Sunrise, Before Sunset, Before Midnight: A Philosophical Exploration is essential reading for students of philosophy, aesthetics and film studies, and also of interest to those in closely related subjects such as literature and gender studies.
This collection of specially commissioned chapters explores the many philosophical issues raised in the films, including: the nature of love, romanticism and marriage, the meaning of life, the passage and experience of time, the narrative self, gender, death.
Including an introduction by the editors summarising the trilogy, and an interview with Julie Delpy in which she discusses the key themes of the films and the importance of studying philosophy, Before Sunrise, Before Sunset, Before Midnight: A Philosophical Exploration is essential reading for students of philosophy, aesthetics and film studies, and also of interest to those in closely related subjects such as literature and gender studies.
- GenresNonfictionPhilosophyFilm
210 pages, ebook
Published May 12, 2021
About the author
Hans Maes
10 books10 followersHans Maes is Senior Lecturer in History and Philosophy of Art and Director of the Aesthetics Research Centre at the University of Kent (Canterbury, UK).
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
May 23, 2021
An excellent collection of essays which explore some of the philosophical quandaries inherent to and which arise from Richard Linklater’s Before trilogy - the aesthetic value of conversation; how the films attempt to logically “justify” romance/love; in what ways they represent the existential dread that stems from “relational vertigo”. A very serious read for sure but one that offers plenty of rewards for fans of these films or anyone broadly interested in film, aesthetics, or philosophy.
July 16, 2023
OH MY GOODNESS!!!! *chef's kiss*
May 9, 2026
“People want to be in love. People don’t want superficial stuff. But society is trying to drag us toward stupidity. Because it is easier to control stupid people than it is to control intelligent people who can think for themselves.”
— Julie Delpy
I loved Hans Maes’ take on melancholy in the films. It feels like a central emotional thread running through the entire Before trilogy, and honestly one of the keys to understanding why these movies stay with people for so long. Melancholy is an emotion I connect to deeply myself, and I feel it every time I watch these films, in the conversations, the passing of time, the fear of losing moments and people, and the awareness that nothing lasts forever.
I also really loved that the book included an interview with Julie Delpy in the final section. Even though the Before trilogy is “just” two people walking around and talking about life, love, death, dreams, aging, and connection, it absolutely deserves philosophical exploration because there is so much hidden beneath those conversations. The films feel natural and simple on the surface, but they capture the complexity of being human better than most movies do.
I genuinely don’t think I’ll ever get over these films.
— Julie Delpy
I loved Hans Maes’ take on melancholy in the films. It feels like a central emotional thread running through the entire Before trilogy, and honestly one of the keys to understanding why these movies stay with people for so long. Melancholy is an emotion I connect to deeply myself, and I feel it every time I watch these films, in the conversations, the passing of time, the fear of losing moments and people, and the awareness that nothing lasts forever.
I also really loved that the book included an interview with Julie Delpy in the final section. Even though the Before trilogy is “just” two people walking around and talking about life, love, death, dreams, aging, and connection, it absolutely deserves philosophical exploration because there is so much hidden beneath those conversations. The films feel natural and simple on the surface, but they capture the complexity of being human better than most movies do.
I genuinely don’t think I’ll ever get over these films.
March 1, 2026
I think you can find a little bit of philosophy in everything but Before Triology definitely puts the emphasis on the meaning of life - which to me is recognizing you are nothing, then attempting to change that through becoming important to someone else. I have a special connection to these movies and reading this book was deepening my love for it. I'd recommend it highly!
December 15, 2024
This... this is IT!
May 5, 2024
First of all, this is the first time that I'm reading a book after watching its movie!(although this is not an adaptation, but an analysis of the movie, but still)
Secondly, only 2 reviews of this book have been published till date and mine will be the third.
Now coming to what the book is about, it is a philosophical analysis and exploration of the "Before Trilogy" movie series starring Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy.
The very fact that the film offers us food for philosophical thought and that 10 guys, all being mainly researchers and/or professors of Film studies have analyzed the movies via their short essays is itself an achievement.
Speaking about myself, even I came reading this book, upon a friend's suggestion mainly because I also have been an admirer of the Before trilogy.
Since the book consists of 10 chapters written by different people, I'll briefly review individual chapters:
Chapter 1: The poetry of day-to-day life by Michael Smith
A good analysis of the trilogy, this chapter draws great parallels with other movies as well.
A good revision of the trilogy.
Chapter 2: Time and transcendence by Marya Schechtman
More of a philosophical chapter; suitable for students of philosophy or film studies
Chapter 3: A trilogy of melancholy by Hans Maes
Excellent analysis of the trilogy by drawing good parallels with other movies.
A great explanation of melancholy.
Chapter 4: Relational Verigo in before midnight by Christopher Cowley
Mostly only for philosophy students
Chapter 5: Epic Intimacy by Murray Smith
Yet another chapter meant mostly for philosophy students.
Chapter 6: Romantic or Cynic : Romantic Attraction as justification by Diane Jeske
Good analysis and exploration of the trilogy and of cynicism
Chapter 7: The many faces of conversation by Kalle Puolakka
Good individual analysis (i.e. taking each movie one by one) of the trilogy
Chapter 8: Love, death and life's summum bonum: The before trilogy as memento mori by Anna Christina Ribeiro
Profound quotes present.
A good analysis of the trilogy, this chapter draws great parallels with the quotes of various philosophers.
Chapter 9: Falling in love with a film (series) by Katrien Schaubroeck and Hans Maes
Great introductory paragraph.
The only chapter of the entire book which has a good balance between philosophy (for students) readers and
general interest readers (who have come here after watching the trilogy)
Good quotes present throughout with insights from real/practical life.
Chapter 10: Romance,narrative,and the sense of a happy ending by James MacDowell
Good analysis of the trilogy, I'm mostly neutral about this essay.
And lastly, the 1:1 interview with Julie Delpy, which was quite profound and worth reading for admirers of the trilogy.
Overall, 4/5 stars!
Secondly, only 2 reviews of this book have been published till date and mine will be the third.
Now coming to what the book is about, it is a philosophical analysis and exploration of the "Before Trilogy" movie series starring Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy.
The very fact that the film offers us food for philosophical thought and that 10 guys, all being mainly researchers and/or professors of Film studies have analyzed the movies via their short essays is itself an achievement.
Speaking about myself, even I came reading this book, upon a friend's suggestion mainly because I also have been an admirer of the Before trilogy.
Since the book consists of 10 chapters written by different people, I'll briefly review individual chapters:
Chapter 1: The poetry of day-to-day life by Michael Smith
A good analysis of the trilogy, this chapter draws great parallels with other movies as well.
A good revision of the trilogy.
Chapter 2: Time and transcendence by Marya Schechtman
More of a philosophical chapter; suitable for students of philosophy or film studies
Chapter 3: A trilogy of melancholy by Hans Maes
Excellent analysis of the trilogy by drawing good parallels with other movies.
A great explanation of melancholy.
Chapter 4: Relational Verigo in before midnight by Christopher Cowley
Mostly only for philosophy students
Chapter 5: Epic Intimacy by Murray Smith
Yet another chapter meant mostly for philosophy students.
Chapter 6: Romantic or Cynic : Romantic Attraction as justification by Diane Jeske
Good analysis and exploration of the trilogy and of cynicism
Chapter 7: The many faces of conversation by Kalle Puolakka
Good individual analysis (i.e. taking each movie one by one) of the trilogy
Chapter 8: Love, death and life's summum bonum: The before trilogy as memento mori by Anna Christina Ribeiro
Profound quotes present.
A good analysis of the trilogy, this chapter draws great parallels with the quotes of various philosophers.
Chapter 9: Falling in love with a film (series) by Katrien Schaubroeck and Hans Maes
Great introductory paragraph.
The only chapter of the entire book which has a good balance between philosophy (for students) readers and
general interest readers (who have come here after watching the trilogy)
Good quotes present throughout with insights from real/practical life.
Chapter 10: Romance,narrative,and the sense of a happy ending by James MacDowell
Good analysis of the trilogy, I'm mostly neutral about this essay.
And lastly, the 1:1 interview with Julie Delpy, which was quite profound and worth reading for admirers of the trilogy.
Overall, 4/5 stars!
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews