Two women in love struggle to give voice to their feelings in 'The World to Come' Michael O'Sullivan, The Washington Post Feb. 9, 2021 FacebookTwitterEmail 3 1of3Katherine Waterston, left, and Vanessa Kirby in "The World to Come."Vlad Cioplea/Bleecker StreetShow MoreShow Less 2of3Christopher Abbott and Vanessa Kirby in "The World to Come."Vlad Cioplea/Bleecker StreetShow MoreShow Less 3of3 Abigail, the protagonist of "The World to Come," keeps a diary, which, along with thoughts laid down in her letters, provides the narration for this film, set in 1856 in rural upstate New York, and centering on the unhappily married wife of a dour farmer named Dyer (Casey Affleck). When Abigail (Katherine Waterston) mentions that she'd like Dyer to pick up an atlas for her when he next rides into town - she's saved up 90 cents of her own money - he suggests that it might be better spent on buying him a gift.