Watching Because I Love You reminded me of an early noughties chick flick but brought into 2026 with its subtle nod to an overspilling capitalism and planet in the throes of a growing climate crisis. Nova, played by Alanna Willis, is a likeable whimsical character who has been stuck in space for 10 years. After her parents, along with 198 other rich adults, had booked onto a 9-month bender on a spaceship that went terribly wrong leaving Nova all on her own. The spaceship is set in London’s Bridge Command Spaceship, this is the first film crew to ever use it as a film set. We meet Nova drinking the ship dry on her 20th birthday.
So succinctly done, the characters draw you into their relationship.
One made not of words but more of touch, laughter, trying new things, and simpler joys.
Watching their love story unfold on screen is heartwarming. Their relationship unfolds without the constraints of social norms. Vivian Tsitampani plays the Alien, her acting is tender and easily evokes the alien’s loving character despite acting behind a mask. The Alien’s gender is ambiguous and therefore fluid.The backdrop of a spaceship far from civilisation and characters in isolation who have avoided all social norms creates the perfect setting to explore and celebrate non conforming love. A tale of two individuals loving each other against all odds.
Whilst dealing with objectively dark subject matter Willis’ script is satirical and sweet. Because I Love You is an ode to the glittery eye shadow and girlishness of early noughties chickflicks. The ones where the girls stay strong, fall in love, fix a problem and look cute doing it. The costume designer, Roberta Lloyd, follows through with the whimsy of the story as Nova wears all of the left behind “rich adults” party clothes throughout the film. Lloyd dresses Nova and the Alien in similarly bright colours, they dress up together in different outfits throughout the film. The character's willingness to understand each other through this playful expression supersedes their need to speak to each other. Wearing a glamorous ball gown whilst trapped on a ship is nothing short of incredibly chic and girly at the same time.
Because I Love You reimagines the scifi genre in a fantastical way, it's a sweet story of playful, unjudgemental love that celebrates doing what is best for the people you love.
Words by Tatiana Traenaeus @ttranaeus
Tatty is a creative researcher, writer and editor on the Dweller team and co-curator of Hot Swap LDN who is invested in archiving and fostering community.