Heart and Souls

On a snowy night in 1959, four strangers die when a city bus crashes, only to discover that death did not end their story. Instead, their souls become linked to a newborn baby born at the moment of the accident, assigned as guardians to his life. As he grows into a cautious, shrewd businessperson named Thomas Reilly, those invisible companions remain for him more than memory, sometimes nudging him with half remembered conversations and odd hunches. The ghosts realize they can only move on if Thomas accepts help from them and helps themselves in the process. Bound by an unusual pact, these spirits reenter the world of the living to guide and protect him.

Directed by Ron Underwood, Heart and Souls arrived in 1993 blending fantasy, comedy and romance. The project draws on an original premise created by Brent Maddock and S.S. Wilson with Gregory Hansen, giving it a distinctive offbeat feel for its era.

Heart and Souls sits in the early 90s moment when fantasy humor and romance collided on screen, offering an alternative to darker tales. The cast, led by Robert Downey Jr and Kyra Sedgwick, delivered a spirited dynamic that helped make the film feel accessible and memorable, even after similar movies.

Critics gave the film a gentle nod, praising its blend of whimsy and emotional warmth. The story probes memory and forgiveness, showing how past acts echo into the present and that chosen family can be formed from people who never quite leave your life, guiding us toward reconciliation.