What Is All That We Love About?
The premise of All That We Love in 328 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.
In a gently off‑kilter suburb, Emma finds herself at a crossroads. Recently divorced and now an empty‑nester, she has spent years building a quiet rhythm around work, friendships, and the steady companionship of her beloved dog Tanner. When the faithful pet passes, the loss opens a quiet fissure that forces Emma to confront the ache of unfinished chapters and the unsettling stir of a mid‑life awakening. The film’s tone is a warm blend of melancholy and quiet humor, inviting viewers to sit with the ordinary moments that suddenly feel both fragile and charged with possibility.
Emma’s world is populated by people who have also been orbiting around change. Her long‑time best friend Stan is navigating the aftershocks of his own loss, balancing the memory of a partner with a yearning for a new direction. Their friendship is a calibrated dance of support and gentle challenge, offering both solace and a mirror to Emma’s own hesitations. Meanwhile, her spirited daughter Maggie stands on the cusp of adulthood, contemplating a move abroad with her boyfriend Nate. The intergenerational dynamic creates a backdrop of shifting expectations, where love, loyalty, and independence continuously renegotiate their meanings.
Amid the swirl of grief and impending departures, echoes from Emma’s past surface. An estranged ex‑husband, Andy, reappears in the periphery, prompting questions about forgiveness, unfinished business, and the fragile balance between old wounds and fresh starts. A supportive coworker, Kayla, offers an unconventional avenue for Emma to process her emotions, while the prospect of new romantic encounters lingers just beyond the frame, hinting at the delicate dance between yearning and self‑preservation.
All That We Love captures a season of life where loss and love intersect, painting a portrait of a woman who, while mourning the familiar, begins to sense the faint hum of undiscovered possibilities. The story unfolds with a tender, introspective rhythm, inviting audiences to contemplate how grief can become a catalyst for unexpected growth, connection, and the quiet courage needed to step forward.
What Happens in All That We Love?
The complete story of All That We Love, from the first scene to the last, in 541 words (about 2 minutes). Spoilers throughout. Names in the text link to 6 cast member pages.
Spoilers ahead
Emma, a single, divorced empty nester, faces a year of upheaval as life shifts around her: her best friend, Stan, is navigating a mid-life crisis after Craig’s death; her daughter Maggie reveals she will move to Australia with her boyfriend, Nate; and her faithful dog Tanner dies of sickness and old age.
Emma tries to adopt another dog, Sal, but its aggressive behavior causes her to return it. Stan matches her up with an acquaintance for a date, but she turns him down superficially due to his name. Meanwhile, she struggles to hide her disapproval of Maggie and Nate’s moving plans and Nate himself, further estranging her from Maggie. While attending Stan’s birthday party, she gives him a framed photo of him and his deceased partner, which upsets Stan, who is trying to move on with his life.
Emma learns from her ex-sister-in-law, Raven, that Andy, her estranged ex-husband, is back in town. He had abandoned Emma and Maggie during her childhood to become an actor, and had a successful career and marriage in Singapore, before his alcohol addiction ruined both. Unable to find work in Singapore, he returned to California and has committed to sobriety. Reconnecting with Andy, despite her misgivings, results in the two of them having sex. Raven privately expresses concern about old triggers potentially affecting Andy’s sobriety, and Emma decides to abruptly end things with him.
She seeks solace from her work friend, Kayla, who helps her invoke Tanner’s spirit to help her adjust to the changes in her life.
Later, during an argument with Stan about his new lifestyle, and not understanding his need to move on with his life with Craig, Emma admits having reconnected with Andy. Stan is furious and incredulous at the news, having supported Emma and Maggie for years during Andy’s absence, and asks her if she has considered how this would affect Maggie, who was deeply hurt by Andy’s departure. They do not see each other again until Maggie’s farewell party.
Maggie gives a heartfelt toast to Emma and Stan for raising her, and also to Tanner, which touches Maggie. However, when Emma and Stan argue at the party, Maggie learns that Emma reconnected with Andy. When Emma suggests that Maggie should meet with Andy for closure and to see that he has changed, Maggie angrily kicks both Emma and Stan out of the party.
Emma and Stan reconcile and reflect on Craig and the past, with Stan offering to give Andy another chance if Emma believes in him. The next morning, after receiving some advice from Nate, Maggie offers to meet Andy at a local diner, though Emma is concerned that Andy’s struggles will prevent him from being there on time. He surprises her by making it there.
Maggie arrives and decides to leave, but Emma convinces her to stay and just have a meal together, which no further obligations. When they finish, Andy apologizes to Maggie, and Maggie wishes him well on his new life. Emma sees Nate and Maggie off to the airport and decides to give her blind date a call back. She gives Sal another try and promises not to return him. As she and Sal get along this time, Tanner’s spirit observes them and departs.
All That We Love Timeline: Every Key Event in Order
14 key events in the order they happen, from “Tanner's death and Emma's life changes” to “Tanner's departure and a hopeful finale”. 14 events name a place, across 9 locations.
- 1
Tanner's death and Emma's life changes
Emma copes with Tanner's death and the sense that life is shifting around her. Maggie's plan to move to Australia, along with Stan's mid-life crisis, adds emotional weight. In the midst of it, Emma tries to adopt Sal, hoping to fill the void left by Tanner.
When:early in the story Where:Emma's home
- 2
Stan's mid-life crisis and matchmaking
Stan's mid-life crisis deepens after the death of his partner Craig. He tries to set Emma up with an acquaintance, hoping to spark a connection. Emma declines the setup, masking it with a comment about the man's name.
When:early in the story Where:Stan's place
- 3
Maggie reveals she will move to Australia
Maggie confesses that she will move to Australia with Nate, a plan that rattles Emma. Emma struggles to hide her disapproval, which strains their mother-daughter bond. The news marks a pivotal turn in their relationship.
When:mid-story Where:Emma's home
- 4
Emma's disapproval widens the rift
Emma's disapproval grows more evident, widening the distance between her and Maggie. She becomes more judgmental, which further estranges Maggie and creates tension with Nate. The impending move casts a pall over family conversations.
When:mid-story Where:Emma's home
- 5
Stan's birthday party and the framed photo
At Stan's birthday party, Emma gives him a framed photo of him with Craig. The gift unsettles Stan, forcing him to confront past memories while trying to move forward. The moment underscores the difficulty of letting go and starting anew.
When:at the party Where:Stan's birthday party venue
- 6
Andy returns and Emma reconnects
Emma learns that her estranged ex-husband Andy has returned to town. They reconnect, and their renewed closeness quickly leads to a sexual encounter. Raven worries about triggers that could threaten Andy's sobriety, prompting Emma to end things.
When:after his return Where:California, various locations
- 7
Kayla helps invoke Tanner's spirit
Seeking support, Emma leans on her friend Kayla, who helps her invoke Tanner's spirit to guide her through the upheaval. The ritual is a symbolic bridge to the dog she lost and to a sense of steadiness. This moment highlights Emma's need for comfort beyond human relationships.
When:after reconnecting with Andy Where:Kayla's place
- 8
Emma admits reconnecting with Andy to Stan
Amid a heated argument about his new lifestyle, Emma admits that she reconnected with Andy. Stan reacts with fury and questions how Maggie will be affected by his return. The revelation strains their already fragile alliance.
When:mid-story Where:Emma's home
- 9
Maggie's farewell party and the fallout
At Maggie's farewell party, she delivers a heartfelt toast to Emma, Stan, and Tanner. Emma and Stan's quarrel becomes visible to Maggie, who learns that Andy has returned. Overwhelmed by the news, Maggie kicks both Emma and Stan out of the party.
When:during the party Where:Maggie's farewell party venue
- 10
Emma and Stan reconcile and discuss Andy
Emma and Stan begin to reconcile, reflecting on Craig and the past. Stan offers to give Andy another chance if Emma has faith in him, signaling a potential restoration of their blended family. The tension loosens as they consider moving forward together.
When:following the party Where:Emma's home
Show the other 4 events of All That We Love Hide the last 4 events
- 11
Next morning: Nate's advice and Maggie's plan
The next morning, following Nate's advice, Maggie proposes meeting Andy at a local diner to seek closure. Emma remains wary about Andy's sobriety and timeliness. The plan sets the stage for a fragile, hopeful resolution.
When:the morning after the party Where:Maggie's home
- 12
Diner meeting and closure
Andy arrives at the diner; Maggie decides to stay for a meal and see him again without obligation. Andy apologizes to Maggie, and she wishes him well on his new life. The moment marks a cautious step toward forgiveness and continuity.
When:later that day Where:Local diner
- 13
Nate and Maggie depart and Emma's renewed vow
After the diner encounter, Emma sees Nate and Maggie off to the airport, signaling a new phase for their plans. She decides to call back a blind date, opening herself to new companionship. Emma also gives Sal another chance, and Tanner's spirit watches and departs.
When:after the diner Where:Airport / Emma's home
- 14
Tanner's departure and a hopeful finale
In the closing moment, Tanner's spirit observes Emma and Sal bonding and then departs. Emma steps forward with a renewed sense of hope, having repaired some bridges and found a path toward dating again. The story ends on a note of cautious optimism.
When:end of story Where:Emma's home
Who Are the Main Characters in All That We Love?
7 characters, among them Emma (Margaret Cho), Maggie (Alice Lee) and Andy (Kenneth Choi): who each one is and the part they play in the story. Every profile links to the actor’s page.
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Emma (Margaret Cho)
Played by Margaret Cho
A single, divorced empty-nester who faces a sudden shift in her life as her daughter moves abroad. She struggles to balance protectiveness with a newfound desire for independence, and must reconcile past hurts with a future she hadn’t planned.
- 💬 Dialogue-heavy
- 🧭 Midlife
- 🏡 Domestic drama
-
Maggie (Alice Lee)
Played by Alice Lee
Emma’s daughter who announces she will move to Australia with her Australian boyfriend Nate. She’s independent and loyal, torn between family obligations and forging her own path.
- 💬 Family dynamics
- 🗺️ Future plans
- 🧭 Independence
- A(
Andy (Kenneth Choi)
Played by Kenneth Choi
Emma’s estranged ex-husband who abandoned the family years ago to pursue acting in Singapore and battles sobriety. He returns to town, seeking connection while trying to prove he’s changed.
- 🍷 Struggles with addiction
- 🕊️ Redemption
- 🧭 Rebuilding trust
- S(
Stan (Jesse Tyler Ferguson)
Played by Jesse Tyler Ferguson
Emma’s best friend, currently navigating a midlife crisis after the death of his partner Craig. He’s supportive but wary of Emma’s rekindled relationship with Andy.
- 🤝 Friendship
- 🧭 Change
- 🗺️ Contemporary life
-
Nate (Devon Bostick)
Played by Devon Bostick
Maggie’s Australian boyfriend who accompanies her toward a future abroad. He provides stability and practical advice, helping Emma see different paths forward.
- ❤️ Supportive partner
- 🌍 Cross-cultural relationship
- 🧭 Guidance
- R(
Raven (Atsuko Okatsuka)
Played by Atsuko Okatsuka
Emma’s ex-sister-in-law who offers care and caution about old triggers affecting Andy’s sobriety, signaling the importance of a supportive network.
- ⚠️ Caution
- 🫂 Family ties
- 🧠 Awareness
-
Kayla (Missi Pyle)
Played by Missi Pyle
Emma’s work friend who helps her cope with change and even assists in invoking spiritual comfort when Tanner, Emma’s late dog, is referenced.
- 💡 Friend support
- 🌟 Empathy
- 🧭 Guidance
Where and When Is All That We Love Set?
All That We Love is set in California, Singapore and Australia (Present day). Here is why the time and place matter to the story.
When
Present day
The events unfold in the contemporary era, focusing on midlife transitions, dating after divorce, and evolving family dynamics in a modern California setting. The story moves through intimate gatherings, farewell moments, and everyday urban life that feel current and relatable. The timeline centers on Emma’s adjustments to change, Maggie’s departure plans, and the possibility of new beginnings.
Where
California, Singapore, Australia
California is the film’s primary setting, a sunlit, suburban landscape where Emma’s life unfolds with her circle of friends and family. The city provides familiar locations like dinners, parties, and airport departures that anchor the narrative. Singapore and Australia appear as referenced locales shaping past and future dynamics, adding an international dimension to the otherwise intimate drama.
- 🏘️ Suburban California
- 🇸🇬 Singapore ties
- 🗺️ Australia-bound dreams
What Are the Themes of All That We Love?
3 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Midlife, Family and Recovery.
-
01
Midlife
Emma confronts a midlife pivot as her daughter’s move abroad and the steady routines of her life shift under her feet. The movie treats midlife as a time for reevaluation, not decline, showing how small choices can rebuild a sense of purpose. Through reconnecting with Andy and embracing new dating, Emma tests her boundaries and redefines what she wants from life.
-
02
Family
Family remains central as Emma’s decisions ripple through Maggie, Stan, and Andy. The film explores forgiveness, loyalty, and the challenge of letting loved ones grow in their own directions. Maggie’s farewell and her father’s return probe how much a family should cling to the past versus support future changes.
-
03
Recovery
Andy’s sobriety arc highlights redemption and the difficulty of breaking old patterns. Raven and Kayla provide support, illustrating recovery as a communal effort rather than a solitary battle. The film suggests personal change is possible, but requires commitment, accountability, and honest communication.
What Kind of Film Is All That We Love?
Bittersweet in tone, with steady pacing and a moderate story, going by the plot summary.
- Tone
- Bittersweet
- Pacing
- Steady
- Story
- Moderate
- Intensity
- Medium
- Ending
- Bittersweet
A steady-paced, bittersweet character drama that explores grief and midlife transition, creating a reflective and melancholic atmosphere with a hopeful undercurrent of healing and reconciliation.
- grieving
- reflective
- hopeful
- melancholic
- autumnal
- restless
- grief and loss
- midlife crisis
- family estrangement
- addiction recovery
Content notes: animal death, alcohol addiction.
Quiz
How well do you remember All That We Love? Test yourself on the story.
