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Fantasy comedy

When We First Met (2018): Cast, Ratings, Plot & Where to Watch

When We First Met (2018) movie poster

When We First Met is a 2018 fantasy comedy directed by Ari Sandel, starring Alexandra Daddario as Avery, Robbie Amell and Shelley Hennig. It runs 1 hour 37 minutes and was made on a reported $9.5 million budget. Critics gave it 45% on Rotten Tomatoes and 36 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.4/10. Stream it on Netflix.

IMDb rating
6.4/10
Rotten Tomatoes
45%
Echo Score
49
Metascore
36
When We First Met (2018) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 37m (97 min)
Director
Ari Sandel
Genres
Fantasy , Comedy , Romance
Original language
English
Studio
Netflix
Budget
$9.5M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is When We First Met About?

The premise of When We First Met without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

A man is given the extraordinary opportunity to relive a significant night, hoping to finally win the heart of the woman he lost. He repeatedly revisits the same pivotal evening, attempting to alter events and create a different outcome. However, he soon discovers that changing the past isn't as simple as it seems, and must grapple with the unforeseen repercussions of his actions while learning to value the beauty of unexpected moments and accept that some things are simply meant to be.

When We First Met Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • fate
  • time travel
  • destiny
  • photo booth
  • time loop
  • nonlinear timeline
  • soulmate
  • unrequited love
  • potted plant
  • engagement party
  • photographer
  • time travel comedy
+38 more
  • halloween party
  • male female friendship
  • year 2014
  • red bull
  • drink spilled on someone
  • reference to wayne's world
  • reference to a league of their own
  • shout song
  • count basie
  • meet cute
  • cereal
  • reference to james bond
  • wish
  • newspaper
  • hug
  • friend zone
  • year 2017
  • bikini
  • halloween
  • halloween costume
  • panties
  • pink panties
  • girl wears panties
  • no opening credits
  • reference to tom hanks
  • pianist
  • male male friendship
  • the one that got away
  • vomiting
  • baseball player costume
  • hulk costume
  • bare chested male
  • centaur
  • half man half beast
  • four word title
  • job
  • occupation
  • friend
Where to watch

Where to Watch When We First Met

Stream it on Netflix. US availability and prices from JustWatch.

Streaming availability in the US, powered by JustWatch logo

Cast & crew

When We First Met Cast & Characters

Alexandra Daddario leads the cast as Avery, with Robbie Amell as Ethan and Shelley Hennig as Carrie. Directed by Ari Sandel; 13 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in When We First Met

· 9 more
Ratings

When We First Met Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave When We First Met 45% on Rotten Tomatoes and 36 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.4/10. Our Echo Score gives it 49/100, strongest in character & emotion (60) and weakest in story & flow (35).

49 /100

When We First Met Echo Score Breakdown

In terms of overall impression, When We First Met delivers a mixed experience that hinges on a serviceable central performance but struggles with its foundational narrative. Critics and users alike note the film’s predictable structure and half-developed jokes, yet acknowledge moments of warmth and inventive time-travel scenarios. Production values remain modest, lending a straightforward visual and auditory backdrop. Although occasional humor and lead chemistry offer brief enjoyment, the film rarely sustains momentum, resulting in a moderately average outcome.

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

  • Art & Craft 55

    In terms of art and craft, the film adopts a straightforward visual style without distinguishing cinematography or production design. Editing remains serviceable but lacks rhythmic polish, and the color palette is functional rather than evocative. Directional choices adhere closely to rom-com conventions, providing clarity but little innovation. Overall, the film’s craft elements feel competent yet uninspired.

  • Character & Emotion 60

    When it comes to character and emotion, the lead performance brings energetic presence and occasional charm, yet supporting roles remain thinly sketched. Dialogue often falls back on clichés, limiting deeper emotional investment, while on-screen chemistry provides intermittent warmth. Moments of heartfelt interaction emerge but are undercut by underdeveloped arcs, resulting in a portrayal that feels engaging at times but seldom fully resonant.

  • Story & Flow 35

    In terms of story and flow, the film relies heavily on a familiar time-travel premise but offers few narrative surprises. Plot progression feels formulaic, with predictable beats and uneven pacing that diminish engagement. Attempts at humor and emotional twists are undercut by schematic plotting, resulting in a storyline that rarely transcends rom-com conventions. Overall, the script’s lack of originality hampers sustained interest.

  • Sensory Experience 50

    When it comes to sensory experience, the film’s soundtrack and sound design remain serviceable but unremarkable, providing clear audio cues without enhancing mood. Visual style employs a conventional palette and lighting scheme, offering coherence yet lacking distinctive flair. Occasional gags are supported by straightforward editing, but no standout aesthetic moment elevates the overall sensory impression. As a result, the experience feels adequate but forgettable.

  • Rewatch Factor 45

    In terms of rewatch factor, the film offers limited replay value due to its predictable structure and repetitive humor. Novelty from the time-travel concept wanes quickly upon a second viewing, and emotional beats lose impact when foreknowledge sets in. While lead warmth and brief comedic moments may prompt occasional revisits, the overall appeal diminishes, rendering the film unlikely to sustain long-term engagement.

Plot

When We First Met Plot Summary

What happens in When We First Met 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

As the intoxicating memory of the Halloween party in 2014 haunted Noah Ashby, he realized he had fallen hopelessly in love with the captivating Avery Martin. This budding romance was, however, cruelly interrupted by her engagement to Ethan, leaving Noah’s heart yearning for three long years.

On the night of Ethan and Avery’s engagement party, overwhelmed by nostalgia and a few too many drinks, Noah stumbled upon the very photo booth where he and Avery had shared a whimsical moment all those years ago. In a moment of drunken curiosity, he activated the booth, finding himself inexplicably transported back to that pivotal Halloween night. Convinced he had been given a second chance by the universe, Noah made it his mission to rewrite their story and win Avery’s heart.

Full summary

The whole story of When We First Met, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Videos

When We First Met Trailers & Videos

The trailer of When We First Met.

When We First Met | Official Trailer [HD] | Netflix
Quiz

How Well Do You Know When We First Met?

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 year does Noah first meet Avery?

Cars

Cars in When We First Met

11 cars on screen, including the 1970 Ford Bronco and the 2002 Mitsubishi Lancer.

All 11 cars
  • 1970 Ford Bronco in When We First Met 1970 Ford Bronco Minor role
  • 2002 Mitsubishi Lancer in When We First Met 2002 Mitsubishi Lancer Minor role
  • 2010 Porsche Panamera 970 in When We First Met 2010 Porsche Panamera 970 Minor role
  • 2005 Audi A4 B7 in When We First Met 2005 Audi A4 B7 Background role
Details

When We First Met Also Known As

22 alternative titles, including “Quando nos Conhecemos” and “우리 처음 만났을 때”.

Also known as
  • Quando nos Conhecemos
  • 우리 처음 만났을 때
  • Cuando nos conocimos
  • La primera vez que nos vimos
  • Когато се запознахме
  • 理想の男になる方法:2018
  • Когда мы познакомились
  • İlk Tanıştığımız Gece
  • Notre première nuit
  • Gdy spotkaliśmy się pierwszy raz
  • При първата ни среща
  • כאשר נפגשנו לראשונה
+10 more
  • Se ci conoscessimo oggi
  • Η Πρώτη μας Νύχτα
  • Naše první setkání
  • 重返初遇夜
  • 重返初遇之夜
  • Коли ми познайомились
  • Când ne-am cunoscut
  • Lần đầu gặp gỡ
  • 理想の男になる方法
  • เมื่อเราพบกันครั้งแรก

Seen When We First Met?

FAQ

When We First Met FAQ: Where to Watch, Cast & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, where to watch, budget, ratings and post-credit scenes of When We First Met, each answered in a sentence.

How long is When We First Met?

When We First Met runs 1 hour 37 minutes (97 minutes).

When was When We First Met released?

When We First Met was released on February 9, 2018.

Who directed When We First Met?

When We First Met was directed by Ari Sandel.

More films by Ari Sandel

Who is in the cast of When We First Met?

When We First Met stars Alexandra Daddario as Avery, Robbie Amell as Ethan and Shelley Hennig as Carrie, among 13 credited actors.

Where can I watch When We First Met?

In the US, When We First Met is streaming on Netflix (availability from JustWatch).

What was the budget of When We First Met?

When We First Met had a reported budget of $9.5 million.

How is When We First Met rated?

When We First Met has 6.4/10 on IMDb, 45% on Rotten Tomatoes, 36 on Metacritic and 66% on TMDB.

Does When We First Met have a post-credit scene?

No. When We First Met has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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