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Music film

Press Play (2022): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

Press Play (2022) movie poster

Press Play is a 2022 music film directed by Greg Björkman, starring Clara Rugaard as Laura, Lewis Pullman and Lyrica Okano. It runs 1 hour 25 minutes and earned $216,850 worldwide. Critics gave it 67% on Rotten Tomatoes, and IMDb users rate it 6.1/10.

IMDb rating
6.1/10
Rotten Tomatoes
67%
worldwide gross
$216.9K
Echo Score
61
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Press Play (2022) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 25m (85 min)
Director
Greg Björkman
Genre
Music
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Press Play About?

The premise of Press Play without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

Following a devastating loss, Laura discovers a mixtape that allows her to experience memories of her past relationship with Harrison. Through the songs, she's given the opportunity to revisit key moments and potentially alter the course of their love story. This emotionally resonant film explores themes of grief, memory, and second chances, demonstrating how the music of our past can offer solace and a chance to heal.

Press Play Themes & Keywords

· 3 tags
  • love
  • woman
  • young
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Cast & crew

Press Play Cast & Characters

Clara Rugaard leads the cast as Laura, with Lewis Pullman as Harrison and Lyrica Okano as Chloe. Directed by Greg Björkman; 10 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Press Play

· 6 more
Ratings

Press Play Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Press Play 67% on Rotten Tomatoes, and IMDb users rate it 6.1/10. Our Echo Score gives it 61/100, strongest in art & craft (65) and weakest in character & emotion (55).

61 /100

Press Play Echo Score Breakdown

Press Play delivers a moderately engaging time‑travel romance that balances an appealing premise with uneven execution. Critics note the film’s pleasant visual setting and a soundtrack that often feels dated, while several reviewers highlight repetitive dialogue and underdeveloped emotional beats. The mixed feedback on direction, acting, and pacing results in a film that entertains on a surface level but lacks a compelling core. Overall, the movie offers modest appeal with room for improvement.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 65

    In terms of art and craft, the film benefits from a pleasant Hawaiian backdrop and a competently packaged visual style. Critics acknowledge atmospheric moments and a decent production design, yet point to occasional incoherence and noticeable audio slip‑ups such as boom mic intrusions. These mixed observations suggest a solid technical foundation that is marred by occasional lapses, resulting in a respectable but not exceptional artistic execution.

  • Character & Emotion 55

    When assessing character and emotion, the leads are praised for delivering genuine feeling and moments of emotional honesty. Several reviewers commend Rugaard’s performance and the chemistry between the protagonists. Conversely, other comments describe the acting as juvenile, poor, or lacking depth, and note that the romance often feels heartless. This blend of positive and negative sentiment yields a middling evaluation of the film’s character work.

  • Story & Flow 58

    The story’s premise of time‑travel romance is recognized as clever and intriguing, offering unexpected twists that engage the viewer. However, critics also cite uneven pacing, underdeveloped plot threads, and moments of confusion that detract from narrative coherence. Some users find the plot entertaining once understood, while others describe it as bland or draggy. The overall narrative experience is therefore mixed, reflecting both inventive ideas and executional flaws.

  • Sensory Experience 65

    Sensory experience centers on an indie‑pop soundtrack that many find catchy and fitting to the film’s tone. Praise is given for the music’s ability to evoke nostalgia, though several reviewers criticize it as dated, on the nose, or forgettable. Visual style remains pleasant but unremarkable, and sound design occasionally suffers from technical slips. The combination of these factors places the sensory assessment in the upper‑mid range.

  • Rewatch Factor 60

    Rewatch factor is highlighted by comments on the film’s high replay value for its concept and emotional moments, with some viewers expressing a desire to view it again. Yet the repetitive dialogue and uneven pacing diminish its lasting appeal for others. While a subset of users report strong enjoyment on subsequent viewings, the overall sentiment suggests moderate repeatability without strong momentum.

Plot

Press Play Plot Summary

What happens in Press Play from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Laura is introduced to her friend Chloe’s stepbrother, Harrison, who works at a record store called Lost & Found. Their connection is instant, and they decide to attend a concert by Japanese Breakfast together. During their time together, they meet Cooper, the record store owner, and share a special moment at the beach where Harrison gifts Laura a cassette aimed at creating a mixtape that symbolizes their bond. The pair celebrate the news of Laura’s acceptance into an art mentorship program, but Harrison expresses his intention to move across the country for medical school. This moment is cut short when an earthquake occurs.

Full summary

The whole story of Press Play, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Press Play Box Office

Press Play grossed $216,850 worldwide.

2022 box office

Worldwide gross

$216.9K

International
$216.9K
Videos

Press Play Trailers & Videos

7 videos: 1 trailer, 3 clips and 3 featurettes.

All 7 videos
Official Trailer
  • Clip PRESS PLAY | Official Clip l "I'm Not Going Anywhere Without You" | In Theaters and On Digital 6.24
  • Clip PRESS PLAY | Official Clip l "I'm Selfishly In Love With You" | In Theaters and On Digital 6.24
  • Clip PRESS PLAY | Official Clip l "Most People Get One Shot... " | Watch It Now On Digital
  • Featurette PRESS PLAY | Movie Soundtrack | "Day is Done" by Robin Kester
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Press Play?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What is the name of the record store where Harrison works?

Cars

Cars in Press Play

15 cars on screen, including the 2009 Ford Focus and the 2001 Volvo V70.

All 15 cars
  • 2009 Ford Focus in Press Play 2009 Ford Focus Important role
  • 2001 Volvo V70 in Press Play 2001 Volvo V70 Important role
  • 1973 Chevrolet C-20 in Press Play 1973 Chevrolet C-20 Minor role
  • International Harvester Scout in Press Play International Harvester Scout Minor role
Details

Press Play Also Known As

12 alternative titles, including “Sıradaki Şarkı” and “Press Play and Love Again”.

Also known as
  • Sıradaki Şarkı
  • Press Play and Love Again
  • Pritisni play i voli ponovo
  • 混录磁带
  • Press Play - La musica della nostra vita
  • Время между нами
  • До зустрічі крізь час
  • 프레스 플레이
  • Rejouer le passé
  • Spausk "groti"
  • 依然想見你
  • ย้อนรักเปลี่ยนตาย

Seen Press Play?

FAQ

Press Play FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of Press Play, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Press Play?

Press Play runs 1 hour 25 minutes (85 minutes).

When was Press Play released?

Press Play was released on June 24, 2022.

Who directed Press Play?

Press Play was directed by Greg Björkman.

Who is in the cast of Press Play?

Press Play stars Clara Rugaard as Laura, Lewis Pullman as Harrison and Lyrica Okano as Chloe, among 10 credited actors.

How much did Press Play make at the box office?

Press Play grossed $216,850 worldwide.

How is Press Play rated?

Press Play has 6.1/10 on IMDb, 67% on Rotten Tomatoes, 2.9/5 on Letterboxd and 3.0/5 on Movie Insider.

Does Press Play have a post-credit scene?

No. Press Play has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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