Year: 2018
Runtime: 102 min
Language: English
Director: Sadaf Foroughi
A bright and ambitious teenager living in Tehran faces the challenges of adolescence while navigating a strict, traditional upbringing. As Ava deals with friendships, music, and school, her overbearing mother's intense scrutiny complicates her life. A spark of rebellion emerges as she pushes against the suffocating expectations of her family and society, seeking self-discovery and a sense of empowerment in a restrictive environment.
Warning: spoilers below!
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Read the complete plot breakdown of Ava (2018), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.
Ava Faulkner, a woman in recovery from addiction and a former soldier turned assassin, finds herself entangled in a dangerous game of survival. While in France, she captures an English businessman, hoping to uncover the motives behind the contract on his life. As fate would have it, another woman secretly listens in on their conversation, unaware of the risks that lie ahead.
Relocating to Boston after her mission, Ava reunites with her estranged family, including her sister Judy and hospitalized mother Bobbi, both of whom she hasn’t seen in eight years. Shortly after, her former Army superior and handler, Duke, dispatches her to Saudi Arabia for another assignment - taking out a German general. Cleverly, she lures him into a trap, administering poison designed to mimic a heart attack. Unfortunately, her plan is foiled by the general’s security, leading to a violent standoff that claims the lives of all involved.
After the botched mission, Ava heads to Barneville-Carteret, where Duke apologizes for the misleading information that led to chaos. He suggests she take some time off, which brings her back to Boston. Here, she encounters her former fiancé, Michael, who is now dating her sister Judy. Tensions run high as old feelings resurface and unhealed wounds from the past threaten to erupt.
Across the ocean in British Columbia, Duke revisits his boss, Simon, who is keen on overseeing the safety of his daughter, Camille, who had been eavesdropping on Ava. Simon sees Ava as a risk due to her emotional detachment from the job and insists she must be eliminated. When Duke presses on how he perceives the threat posed by Ava, a deadly confrontation leads to Duke’s demise at Simon’s hands, with Ava discovering a video of the horrific event.
Back home, Ava is plagued by family complications; feeling the urgency to redeem herself, she offers to help Michael when he goes missing and is discovered in deep debt to a local gambler named Toni. After a fierce exchange of fists and threats with Toni’s thugs, Ava strikes a bargaining deal to resolve Michael’s debt.
In a chilling twist, Duke’s fate weighs heavily on Ava, who confronts the menace that Simon represents. In a brutal showdown, they exchange blows, each sustaining serious injuries until Simon escapes under the veil of chaos that ensues from a fire alarm. Driven by vengeance, Ava finally corners Simon beneath the Zakim Bridge, ending his pursuit for good.
In a bittersweet moment of farewell, she advises Judy to leave the country and gives her the crucial account details to secure their future. Holding onto the last remnant of stability, Ava receives a letter from Duke expressing contentment with his life decisions. As she marches forward into an uncertain future, Ava realizes she may never truly escape the shadows, especially with Camille lurking in the background, a constant reminder of the past that refuses to let go.
Last Updated: November 16, 2024 at 14:20
Still wondering what the ending of Ava (2018) really means? Here’s a spoiler-heavy breakdown of the final scene, major twists, and the deeper themes that shape the film’s conclusion.
In the ending of Ava, after a series of intense confrontations, Ava finally takes down her presumed main antagonist, Simon, by shooting him in the head, fulfilling her revenge and freeing her from his dangerous hold. She then persuades her family to escape and start a new life, believing she’s done her part to protect them. However, just as they depart, it is revealed that Camille, Simon’s daughter, has been silently following Ava throughout the story. While she doesn’t act immediately on her pursuit, her presence suggests she is now set up as the potential villain for a sequel.
This closing scene leaves Ava in a somewhat peaceful place, feeling accomplished and hopeful, yet aware that her past may still catch up with her. The film hints that the organization still considers her a threat, and her mental state may be strained by the toll of her work. The fact that Camille is now observing Ava signals a new chapter—one where Ava might face a more formidable opponent in Camille, possibly seeking revenge or justice for her family. The movie ends with a sense of unresolved tension, leaving viewers to wonder whether Ava’s hope for a fresh start will survive her persistent enemies. Ultimately, Ava emphasizes the complex pursuit of happiness and safety in a dangerous world, suggesting that even when one finds a moment of peace, the shadows of their past might still loom.
Last Updated: June 25, 2025 at 08:58
Don't stop at just watching — explore Ava in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Ava is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.
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