Before I Fall 2017

Samantha Kingston awakens at 6:50 am on February 12, a day known as Cupid’s Day. She’s greeted by her friends: queen bee Lindsay Edgecombe, Ally Harris, and Elody, all giddy about Sam’s plans to lose her virginity to her boyfriend, Rob Cokran. During a lecture on Sisyphus, roses are passed around, with Sam receiving one from Rob and another from Kent McFuller, a long-time friend who harbors feelings for her. Although Kent invites her to a party at his house, her enthusiasm is lacking.

At lunch, the group mocks Juliet Sykes, the outsider whom they label as a “psycho.” The tension escalates when Juliet appears at the party, leading to a confrontation with Lindsay that ends in public humiliation for Juliet, who leaves in tears. Tragically, as Sam and her friends drive home, they hit something and get into a fatal crash.

However, Sam awakens in her room, again on Cupid’s Day. Thinking it was merely a bad dream, she proceeds through the day, only to relive the same events and crash again. Gradually realizing she’s trapped in a time loop, Sam suggests they have a sleepover instead of attending the party, successfully evading the crash. Despite this minor triumph, she later learns that Juliet has committed suicide, discovering that Lindsay and Juliet were once very close friends.

As Sam continues to relive the day, she begins to abandon her previous priorities, opting instead to express her feelings to those around her and cherish time with loved ones. She reaches out to Anna Cartullo, a girl she once bullied, and grows closer to Kent. After an underwhelming encounter with Rob, she finds solace in Kent, who reminisces about their protective moments in childhood.

In another loop, a significant moment unfolds when Sam and Kent share a kiss at the party. Kent recalls a time Sam bravely defended him against a bully during a difficult period in his life. When tension arises between Lindsay and Juliet, Sam follows them through the woods, hoping to reconcile. Here, Juliet opens up about her struggles, revealing the root of Lindsay’s bullying.

Ultimately, Juliet’s tragic act of running in front of Lindsay’s car leads Sam to a moment of realization—she must change her behavior to break the cycle. With a newfound determination, she chooses kindness over indifference, sending roses to both Juliet and Kent, parting ways with Rob, and openly expressing her feelings for her friends.

At the party, she kisses Kent and declares her love for him. In a climactic moment, she intervenes to save Juliet from a tragic fate, but while doing so, she sacrifices herself, dying as a result of the collision. In her final moments, she recalls all the cherished experiences she’s had. Her spirit witnesses Juliet standing over her lifeless body, and when Juliet remarks, “You saved me,” Sam simply replies, “No. You saved me.”