A subtle but brilliant recurring motif is Martin’s profession. He is a pharmacist, a dealer of chemicals designed to numb pain or regulate imbalances.
There is a meta-commentary here on the "Newness" app itself. The app functions like a drug—a quick hit of serotonin provided by a match or a message. Martin’s struggle with his own mental health (implied depression and emptiness) parallels his addiction to the app. He is trying to medicate a spiritual void with digital connection. The film suggests that modern dating culture is a symptom of a broader inability to sit with one's own boredom and silence.
The film’s opening act is a masterclass in visualizing modern alienation. Doremus treats the dating app (named "Newness") not as a tool, but as a glowing slot machine. The cinematography is tight, claustrophobic, often focusing on the blue light of the screen illuminating blank faces in dark rooms.
We watch Martin and Gabi navigate a conveyor belt of first dates. These sequences are cut with a rhythmic, almost hypnotic monotony—a montage of small talk, awkward pauses, and perfunctory sex. Doremus highlights a specific modern phenomenon: commoditized intimacy. The characters approach dates with the numb detachment of a consumer browsing a clearance rack. The tragedy here isn't that they can't find connection; it's that the method of finding it has stripped the mystery away. Everyone is knowable immediately, and therefore, everyone is boring.
Nicholas Hoult dan Laia Costa memiliki chemistry yang menakjubkan di layar. Cara mereka memerankan kecanggungan, gairah, dan rasa sakit terasa sangat natural. Drake Doremus dikenal dengan gaya sutradaranya yang improvisational, memberikan ruang bagi aktor untuk berdialog secara organik. Hasilnya, setiap adegan terasa seperti kita menyaksikan cuplikan kehidupan nyata, bukan skrip yang dihafalkan.
Drake Doremus terkenal dengan gaya "improvisasi"-nya. Para aktor diberikan garis besar adegan, tetapi dialognya sebagian besar lahir dari improvisasi. Ditambah dengan sinematografi close-up yang konstan oleh Sean Stiegemeier, penonton seperti ikut menyelinap masuk ke dalam ruang pribadi Martin dan Gabi. Saat nonton Newness, Anda akan merasa seperti mata-mata yang mengamati keretakan hubungan tetangga Anda sendiri.
Score elektrik yang digarap oleh Dustin O’Halloran ( The Crown) menjadi jiwa dari film ini. Musiknya yang minimalis namun menggema sempurna mengiringi adegan-adegan sepi di apartemen malam hari, membuat rasa kesepian dalam keramaian digital terasa sangat nyata.
In the landscape of modern romance, the path to love is no longer blocked by a lack of options but paralyzed by an excess of them. Drake Doremus’s 2017 film Newness serves as a cinematic scalpel, dissecting the messy, digital heart of millennial dating. The title itself is a double-edged sword: it refers to the initial, intoxicating rush of a new partner, but also to the relentless, destructive demand for novelty fostered by dating apps. Through the turbulent relationship of two Los Angeles singles, Martin and Gabi, the film argues that technology has not ruined our ability to love, but rather has exacerbated our deepest insecurities, turning relationships into commodities to be consumed and discarded once the "newness" wears off.
The film opens with a familiar ritual of the 2010s: the frictionless swipe. Both protagonists are users of a hookup app called "Newness," which promises connection without commitment. Doremus masterfully captures the hollow dopamine rush of this process. The app is a mirror reflecting a culture that prioritizes instant gratification over deep investment. Martin (Nicholas Hoult), a pharmacist, and Gabi (Laia Costa), a physical therapist, meet the old-fashioned way—in a bar—yet their relationship is immediately colored by the digital ethos they came from. Their initial chemistry is electric precisely because it feels unfiltered. They confess secrets, traumas, and insecurities with a raw vulnerability that seems to transcend the superficial world of swiping.
However, the core tragedy of Newness is that this raw authenticity cannot be sustained without trust. As the initial high fades into the mundane realities of cohabitation and routine, both partners fall back on the very digital crutches they sought to escape. The "open phone policy" they adopt—a desperate attempt to prove loyalty—backfires, transforming intimacy into surveillance. Martin’s eye wanders to Instagram likes; Gabi re-downloads the app out of boredom and insecurity. The film’s most devastating insight is that the app is not the villain; it is merely a tool. The villain is the internalized logic of the marketplace: if something is difficult, or boring, or painful, you can simply find a newer, shinier model.
Doremus visualizes this emotional fragmentation through his signature intimate, vérité-style cinematography. The camera lingers on faces in extreme close-up, capturing every micro-expression of desire, doubt, and disgust. The Los Angeles setting is deliberately cold and sleek—all glass condos and glowing smartphone screens—a stark contrast to the messy, sweaty, tear-stained arguments that take place inside. The soundtrack, a pulsing ambient score, swells when the couple is disconnected, alone together in the same bed but scrolling through separate digital universes. nonton newness -2017-
The film’s third act is an unflinching look at polyamory as a failed cure for the fear of missing out. In a desperate bid to save their relationship, Martin and Gabi open it up, only to discover that novelty is not the same as intimacy. The threesome with a charming stranger (Matthew Gray Gubler) is not liberating; it is a surgical demonstration of their emotional bankruptcy. They realize, too late, that the "newness" they crave is not a different person, but a different version of themselves—one that is capable of trusting without verifying, and loving without an escape plan.
Newness does not offer easy answers, nor does it end with a Hollywood reconciliation. The final shots are ambiguous: the couple reunites, but the camera lingers on the notification light of a smartphone blinking in the dark. The implication is haunting. They may choose each other for now, but the architecture of choice remains all around them, whispering that someone better is just a swipe away.
In conclusion, Newness is a vital document of its time. It refuses to blame technology for the failures of the human heart, instead pointing the finger inward. The film suggests that the greatest threat to modern love is not infidelity or incompatibility, but the illusion of infinite alternatives. We have traded the agony of loneliness for the paralysis of abundance. To watch Newness is to see a generation caught in a hall of mirrors, mistaking the reflection of their own desire for the real warmth of another soul. It is a cautionary tale that asks a simple, devastating question: In a world where you can have anyone, how do you learn to want just one?
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Perlu diketahui, film ini memiliki rating R (Restricted) . Terdapat adegan seks eksplisit dan frontal yang tidak biasa untuk film independen. Namun, berbeda dengan film dewasa pada umumnya, adegan seks di sini tidak dibuat untuk sensasi semata. Adegan-adegan tersebut justru berfungsi sebagai narasi: bagaimana pasangan modern sering menggunakan seks sebagai pelarian untuk menghindari komunikasi yang sebenarnya.
Jika Anda berencana untuk nonton Newness, pastikan Anda dalam suasana hati yang matang dan siap untuk menyaksikan gambaran yang jujur (dan terkadang memalukan) tentang hubungan generasi milenial.
In the crowded landscape of independent romance dramas, Drake Doremus’s 2017 film Newness stands out not for grand gestures or fairy-tale endings, but for its uncomfortable, hyper-realistic portrayal of modern love. For anyone looking to “nonton” (watch) a film that captures the zeitgeist of dating in the 21st century, Newness is a necessary, if unsettling, choice. It functions less as escapist entertainment and more as a mirror, forcing viewers to confront how technology, instant gratification, and the illusion of infinite choice have reshaped intimacy.
The film follows Martin (Nicholas Hoult) and Gabi (Laia Costa), two Los Angelenos who meet on a dating app. Their initial connection is electric, fueled by passion and the thrill of discovery. However, Newness quickly subverts the typical “happily ever after” narrative. Instead, it chronicles the couple’s descent into a cycle of addiction—not to substances, but to the dopamine hit of novelty. When their relationship hits inevitable bumps, they don't fight for it; they open it up, seeking validation and excitement from new partners through the same apps that brought them together.
The primary utility of watching Newness lies in its sharp diagnosis of what philosopher Byung-Chul Han calls the “agony of Eros.” The film argues that dating apps have commodified human beings. We swipe left or right with the same casual judgment we apply to choosing a product on an e-commerce site. This creates a paradox of choice: the more options we have, the less satisfied we are with any single one, because someone better, more exciting, or less flawed might be just one swipe away. Martin and Gabi embody this “grass is always greener” syndrome, mistaking anxiety for excitement and boredom for incompatibility. A subtle but brilliant recurring motif is Martin’s
Furthermore, Newness offers a profound commentary on the difference between pain and suffering in a relationship. All relationships have friction and pain; that is inevitable. However, the film shows how technology amplifies suffering. When Martin and Gabi fight, they retreat to their phones. They spy on exes via social media, seek emotional affairs through DMs, and use the app as a threat—a tangible reminder that they are replaceable. The film’s most devastating scenes aren’t the explicit sexual encounters, but the quiet moments where two people lie in bed together, yet are completely alone, scrolling through their phones.
For a viewer seeking a “useful” movie experience, Newness provides no easy answers or moralizing lectures. It does not demonize dating apps or non-monogamy. Instead, its utility comes from its diagnosis. Watching the film feels like a therapy session for the millennial generation. It validates the loneliness that persists even in a hyper-connected world. It exposes the lie that “options” equal “happiness.” By the film’s ambiguous ending—where Martin and Gabi tentatively try to reconnect without their phones—Doremus suggests that the antidote to the curse of newness isn’t closing the relationship or opening it, but rather choosing boredom, vulnerability, and the terrifying risk of actually staying.
In conclusion, if you choose to “nonton Newness,” come prepared not for a light romantic comedy, but for a clinical case study. It is a useful film because it hurts to watch. It holds a mirror up to our own dating app behaviors, our short attention spans, and our fear of being truly known. In an era where we have infinite ways to meet people but less ability to connect, Newness serves as a crucial reminder: love is not a discovery of something new, but the continuous, difficult choice to build something lasting with the person already in front of you.
Newness (2017) is a romantic drama directed by Drake Doremus, featuring Nicholas Hoult and Laia Costa as millennials navigating modern relationships and the complexities of "hookup culture" in Los Angeles. The film explores the challenges of emotional commitment in a digital age, often exploring the consequences of monogamy. The film is available to stream on platforms like Netflix and Plex.
Released in 2017, Newness is a romantic drama that explores the complexities of modern dating and relationships in the age of social media and hookup apps. Directed by Drake Doremus, the film stars Nicholas Hoult and Laia Costa as a couple navigating the boundaries of emotional and physical intimacy. Core Premise & Plot
The story follows Martin (Hoult) and Gabi (Costa), two millennials in Los Angeles who meet through a hookup app. After an instant connection, they quickly begin a serious relationship. However, as the "newness" of their romance begins to fade, they face the boredom and habitual nature of long-term commitment. To save their bond, they decide to experiment with an open relationship, which leads to unexpected emotional turmoil and forces them to confront what they truly want from a partner. Key Details Director: Drake Doremus (known for Like Crazy)
Lead Cast: Nicholas Hoult (Martin), Laia Costa (Gabi), Danny Huston (Larry), and Courtney Eaton (Blake) Genre: Drama / Romance Runtime: 1 hour 57 minutes
Content Warning: The film is rated R for strong sexual content, nudity, and language. Critical Reception
Theme: Critics often highlight the film's "raw look" at how digital culture affects human connection.
Visual Style: True to Doremus’s style, the film features intimate, handheld cinematography and a significant amount of improvised dialogue to create a sense of realism. Reply with the number you want expanded or
Ratings: It holds a mixed-to-positive reception, with a 6.3/10 on IMDb and a 63% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. Where to Watch
You can typically find Newness available for streaming or purchase on platforms such as: Netflix (availability varies by region) Amazon Prime Video Apple TV / iTunes Parents guide - Newness (2017) - IMDb
The 2017 film , directed by Drake Doremus, is a clinical yet intimate dissection of how "swipe culture" has rewired our emotional expectations. While it centers on two millennials, Martin and Gabi, navigating an open relationship, its deeper "newness" refers to the psychological addiction to the unfamiliar—the chase for that first spark that eventually erodes the capacity for long-term stability. The Core Conflict: Boredom vs. Intimacy
The Trap of "The Next Best Thing": The film highlights a modern paradox: with an infinite "market" of partners just a swipe away, any minor flaw in a current partner becomes a reason to seek a replacement. Gabi admits she is "addicted to newness," equating the excitement of a first encounter with true fulfillment.
The Facade of Radical Honesty: The couple attempts an open relationship based on total transparency to bypass jealousy. However, the film suggests that this "honesty" often serves as a defense mechanism to avoid the vulnerability of truly being known—and thus truly potentially hurt.
Performance vs. Reality: Digital dating forces individuals to perform an "ideal" version of themselves. The film's cinematography uses a "suffocating" shallow focus to mirror this—everything else is blurred except the immediate, intense connection between the two leads, creating an isolating, almost clinical atmosphere. Key Thematic Symbols Newness (2017): A Modern Love Story - Secure2
, which was a significant independent release in 2017. "Nonton" is the Indonesian word for "watching," often used in the context of streaming or cinematic reviews within Indonesian digital communities. Film Overview: Newness (2017) is a romantic drama directed by Drake Doremus and written by Ben York Jones. It premiered at the Sundance Film Festival on January 25, 2017, before being released digitally. The story follows Martin ( Nicholas Hoult ) and Gabi ( Laia Costa
), two millennials in Los Angeles who meet through a hookup app. They quickly begin a relationship but struggle with the "newness" wearing off, leading them to explore an open relationship to navigate their emotional and physical boredom.
The film explores modern dating culture, the impact of social media and apps on intimacy, and the complexities of monogamy versus boredom in the digital age. Reception & "Nonton" Context
In 2017, the film gained traction among Indonesian viewers (hence the "nonton" searches) due to its contemporary subject matter and its availability on global streaming platforms like Critical Response: Rotten Tomatoes
, the film holds a 58% approval rating. Critics praised the chemistry between Hoult and Costa but found the exploration of its central themes somewhat shallow. Audience Sentiment:
Viewers often cited the film's realistic—if uncomfortable—depiction of how technology facilitates "disposable" relationships and the difficulty of maintaining long-term excitement. Detailed Technical Specifications Drake Doremus Nicholas Hoult, Laia Costa, Danny Huston, Courtney Eaton Release Date January 25, 2017 (Sundance); November 3, 2017 (USA) 117 minutes Drama / Romance similar movies about modern relationships or more information on the soundtrack