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Plot Summary

Are You Here (2014) Plot Summary Explained

Release, runtime and language
2014 · 114 min · Chinese
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Directed by
Matthew Weiner
Starring
Amy Poehler, Owen Wilson, Zach Galifianakis

Four friends find themselves entangled in a dangerous situation when they decide to play a Ouija board game belonging to a recently deceased acquaintance. As they proceed, they unwittingly unleash a convergence of supernatural forces and dark humor, leading to an increasingly chaotic and unsettling experience that tests the bonds of their friendship and threatens to unravel their lives.

On this page (6)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 What happens: full plot
  3. 3 Plot questions answered
  4. 4 Movie threads
  5. 5 Movies like Are You Here
  6. 6 Every angle
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Full plot summary · contains spoilers

What Happens in Are You Here: Full Plot Summary

The whole story of Are You Here (2014) explained, from the opening scene to the final frame: every key event, every twist and what it all adds up to. Read it as a quick recap before the sequel, to check a scene you missed, or to finally understand what really happened.

Steve Dallas, a charming yet indulgent weatherman, revels in a lifestyle filled with fleeting pleasures and extravagant spending, all made possible by his job at the WRSC news channel. Although he enjoys the luxuries of life, he often leans on his diligent assistant, Delia Shepard, to manage the weather forecasts. In his spare time, Steve hangs out with his old friend Ben Baker, a laid-back individual who lives for the blissful pursuit of happiness and cannabis.

Their carefree existence is disrupted when Ben knocks on the door of the WRSC office, visibly shaken and distressed. He conveys the news of his father's passing, leading Steve to take him to the funeral. As fate would have it, their journey takes a detour when they decide to rescue crayfish intended for bait, resulting in their late arrival. They reach just in time to witness the casket being lowered, but warm greetings await them, especially from Ben's stepmother, Angela, a youthful special education teacher.

When the will is read, a shocking revelation unfolds: Angela is left with nothing, as per her husband's wishes, while Ben's sister, Terry, inherits a considerable sum of $350,000. To Ben's dismay, he finds himself the recipient of the family farm, the general store, and a sizable inheritance of $2,000,000. In a burst of inspiration, he resolves to use his newfound wealth to create a school dedicated to New Age practices, starting classes in the backyard of his family farm. However, his excitement is short-lived, as Terry questions his mental stability and pushes for a psychiatric evaluation.

As the evaluation day nears, Ben wrestles with anxiety and finds peace in the simpler ways of a nearby Amish community. The psychiatrist confirms that, although Ben is bipolar, he doesn't pose a risk to himself or anyone else, allowing him to keep his inheritance. That night, in a celebration of sorts, Ben and Steve indulge in revelry, and Steve attempts to express his feelings for Angela.

Yet joy is fleeting for Ben, as a depressive episode strikes, clouding his thoughts and leading him to feel adrift in life. In an effort to support him, Angela shares a moment of intimacy with Ben, deepening their connection. The following day, after taking his medication, Ben makes a significant gesture by passing control of the store to Terry, who is eager to modernize it.

Meanwhile, Steve feels his routine pressing down on him, the monotony stifling his ambition, especially as he becomes more enamored by Angela's radiant spirit. Unable to resist the pull, he heads to the farm, only to be confronted with disheartening news: Terry reveals that Ben has crossed a boundary by being intimate with Angela. Consumed by anger, Steve angrily confronts Ben, demanding ownership of the farm. Despite recent efforts to clean up his act for Angela’s sake, Steve loses his composure and retreats to the city, immersing himself in reckless distractions of drinking and marijuana.

On the other hand, Ben yearns for a fresh start and decides to settle in the town center, striving for a life grounded in authenticity. As Steve reflects on how much of himself he has invested in helping Ben, he realizes he’s been living through his friend’s struggles. This newfound clarity drives him to take bold action: he resigns from his weatherman position and returns to the farm. There, he reconciles with Ben, both of them ready to carve out a new direction.

As the story closes, Steve reaches out to Angela, inviting her to join him on the farm, where they can jointly embrace the joys of life. Angela agrees, offering her forgiveness and the promise of a blossoming romance. In an uplifting conclusion, Ben is seen taking his first steps toward building a connection with a single mother from the neighborhood, signaling a hopeful new beginning for him as well.

Last updated: November 21, 2024 at 12:52

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Plot questions answered

Are You Here Plot Explained: Your Questions Answered

The questions people ask most about Are You Here (2014): what happens in the confusing scenes, why the characters do what they do, the twists, hidden details and what the ending means. Each answer contains spoilers.

Q1

Why did Ben's father leave Angela nothing in the will?

Ben's father deliberately excluded Angela from his will, leaving her with nothing despite being his wife. This decision suggests the father never fully accepted Angela as part of the family or believed she was only with him for financial reasons. The exact reasoning isn't explicitly stated in the film, but the father's choice creates the central conflict that drives much of the story's emotional tension.

  • ben father will
  • angela inheritance
  • family inheritance dispute
Q2

Why did Ben and Angela become intimate?

Ben and Angela became intimate during Ben's depressive episode. After his psychiatric evaluation confirmed he was bipolar but not dangerous, Ben fell into a dark emotional state. Angela, who had been supportive throughout his challenges, offered him comfort and intimacy during this vulnerable moment. The connection was temporary and stemmed from emotional vulnerability rather than long-term romantic intent.

Foreshadowing: Earlier scenes establish Angela's nurturing nature as a special education teacher, making her naturally drawn to support Ben during his emotional struggle.

  • ben angela relationship
  • depression intimacy
  • emotional connection
Q3

Why did Steve confront Ben about ownership of the farm?

Steve's confrontation with Ben over the farm stemmed from jealousy and hurt. When Steve learned that Ben had been intimate with Angela, he felt betrayed, both by his friend and by the woman he had developed feelings for. In his anger, Steve demanded ownership of the farm, using the inheritance as a target for his frustration rather than addressing his actual emotional pain about the romantic situation.

Foreshadowing: Steve's growing attraction to Angela was established during the celebration night when he attempted to confess his feelings to her.

  • steve ben confrontation
  • farm ownership
  • friendship conflict
Q4

Why did Steve quit his weatherman job?

Steve quit his job at WRSC after realizing he had been living vicariously through Ben's life instead of pursuing his own happiness. During a moment of reflection, he recognized that he had invested all his energy into helping Ben navigate his problems while ignoring his own stagnant career and unfulfilled ambitions. This self-awareness prompted him to leave his comfortable but unfulfilling position and return to the farm to start fresh.

Foreshadowing: Steve's dissatisfaction with his routine was established earlier when he expressed feeling stifled by the monotony of his weatherman life.

  • steve resignation
  • career change
  • self-discovery
Q5

What was the result of Ben's psychiatric evaluation?

Ben's psychiatric evaluation revealed that he is bipolar but does not pose a risk to himself or others. This diagnosis allowed him to maintain control of his inheritance, which his sister Terry had questioned. The evaluation was a turning point that confirmed Ben's mental health condition while also clearing him to continue pursuing his goals without legal restriction.

  • ben psychiatric evaluation
  • bipolar diagnosis
  • inheritance evaluation
Q6

Why did Ben decide to move to town center?

Ben moved to town center seeking authenticity and a fresh start. After the emotional turmoil of his depressive episode, the conflict with Steve, and the complicated situation with Angela, Ben wanted to establish his own identity separate from the family farm and his inheritance. He desired a life grounded in genuine self-expression rather than relying on his sudden wealth or family legacy.

  • ben new life
  • authenticity
  • personal growth
Q7

How did Steve and Ben reconcile after their conflict?

Steve and Ben reconciled after Steve returned to the farm following his period of reckless behavior in the city. Steve, having quit his job and gained clarity about his life, came back to support Ben without any demands. The reconciliation was mutual, both had processed their issues and were ready to move forward together, leaving behind the anger and jealousy that had driven them apart.

  • steve ben friendship
  • reconciliation
  • forgiveness
Q8

Why did Ben want to start a New Age school at the farm?

Ben wanted to use his unexpected $2 million inheritance to create something meaningful and different. The New Age school represented his desire to pursue happiness and share practices he believed could help others achieve fulfillment. It was an expression of his laid-back personality and his interest in alternative lifestyles and spiritual practices.

  • ben new age school
  • inheritance dreams
  • farming community
Q9

Why did Angela agree to join Steve at the farm?

Angela agreed to join Steve at the farm because she forgave him for his outburst and recognized his genuine desire to change. After Steve resigned from his job and returned with a clear sense of purpose, he invited Angela to be part of this new chapter. Her acceptance suggests she saw his commitment to personal growth as authentic and worth supporting.

  • angela steve romance
  • forgiveness
  • new beginning
Q10

Why did Terry push for Ben's psychiatric evaluation?

Terry questioned Ben's mental stability because his sudden wealth and ambitious plans to create a New Age school seemed impulsive and potentially symptomatic of a manic episode. As Ben's sister, she was concerned that his grandiose ideas and behavioral changes could indicate a mental health crisis rather than genuine entrepreneurial enthusiasm, which prompted her to insist on a professional psychiatric assessment.

  • terry concern
  • mental health evaluation
  • family worry

Movie threads

More Movies Like Are You Here, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes Are You Here tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Quirky friendship comedies like Are You Here

Stories where friends navigate life's absurdities and personal struggles together. If you liked the blend of humor and heart in Are You Here, explore more movies like it. These comedies feature groups of friends navigating life changes, inheritance, and personal struggles with an optimistic and steady pace, balancing emotional topics with a light touch.

  • quirky
  • sentimental
  • carefree
  • optimistic
  • nostalgic
  • bittersweet moments
  • Tone: light, optimistic, sentimental
  • Pacing: steady, character-driven
Why these movies?

The story pattern: These narratives often begin with a catalyst—an inheritance, a road trip, or a life-changing event—that forces a group of old friends to reunite. The story unfolds at a steady pace, using comedic situations to explore underlying tensions and personal flaws. Conflict arises but is ultimately resolved through the strength of friendship, leading to a happy, optimistic ending where characters find new beginnings.

Why they belong together: Movies in this thread share a specific emotional mix: a LIGHT tone and STEADY pacing driven by quirky characters, balanced with a MEDIUM intensity from tackling real but not overly heavy themes. The focus is on the dynamic between friends and their collective, positive journey.

Movies about starting over like Are You Here

Characters hit the reset button on their lives with humor and hope. Find more films similar to Are You Here that explore themes of inheritance and new beginnings. These lighthearted stories follow characters rebuilding their lives with a steady, optimistic pace, mixing comedy with moments of personal reflection.

  • optimistic
  • carefree
  • hopeful
  • nostalgic
  • sentimental
  • starting over
  • Tone: light, hopeful, optimistic
  • Pacing: steady, forward-moving
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative pattern typically involves a protagonist or group escaping their stagnant routine through a disruptive yet opportunity-rich event. The journey is linear and straightforward, with comedic obstacles testing their resolve. The central conflict is often internal—facing one's own limitations—but is resolved through external support and self-discovery, culminating in a fresh start filled with hope.

Why they belong together: These films are grouped by their shared focus on the theme of 'starting over,' executed with a LIGHT tone and STRAIGHTFORWARD complexity. They provide an uplifting, low-stakes viewing experience defined by optimism, a STEADY pace, and the satisfaction of seeing characters turn their lives around.

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Movies Like Are You Here

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Every angle

Are You Here (2014) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about Are You Here in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

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