Year: 2014
Runtime: 106 min
Language: English
Director: Tim Burton
In 1950s America, Walter Keane achieves remarkable success as a painter of melancholic portraits of children with large, expressive eyes. However, the public is unaware that Margaret Keane, his wife, is the true artist behind these iconic images. As Walter takes credit for her work and his fame increases, Margaret struggles to gain recognition while navigating a complicated and increasingly strained marriage. The deception and the ensuing conflict reveal a hidden truth about the creation of the haunting artwork.
Warning: spoilers below!
Haven’t seen Big Eyes yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!
Read the complete plot breakdown of Big Eyes (2014), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.
In 1958, Margaret, portrayed by Amy Adams, makes the bold decision to leave her husband, taking her young daughter, Jane (played by Delaney Raye), to the vibrant North Beach area of San Francisco. As a single mother, Margaret supports her family by working to create illustrations at a furniture factory. There, she finds camaraderie with her friend, Dee-Ann (Krysten Ritter), who assists her in settling into their new life.
While showcasing her talent at an outdoor art show, Margaret crosses paths with Walter Keane (played by Christoph Waltz), a man selling his charming Parisian street scene paintings. While Margaret offers her live portrait sketches at just one dollar, Walter advises her against underpricing her art. His charismatic personality wins over both Margaret and Jane, leading to idyllic dinners and dreams of a future trip to France, all the while boasting of his artistic education in Paris.
Margaret’s unique style, characterized by girls with oversized eyes, results in artworks signed simply with the name KEANE. However, complications arise when her ex-husband serves her with court papers seeking custody of Jane. Walter, smitten, soon proposes, and they marry amidst turmoil.
Walter pursues the art scene vigorously, showing their work to Reuben (Jason Schwartzman), an unimpressed gallery owner who refuses to display their pieces. Undeterred, Walter tries to make a name for himself at a local jazz club but ends up in a violent clash over inadequate wall space—an event that captures headlines and entices crowds to witness the art that sparked a brawl.
The story gains momentum as celebrity gossip columnist Dick Nolan (Danny Huston), who provides narration, becomes intrigued, but he primarily seeks out Margaret’s distinct paintings rather than Walter’s claims. Walter, eager for fame, begins to market their works as his own, leading to an explosion of sales and the opening of his own Keane gallery, where he produces inexpensive reproductions of Margaret’s art.
While their lifestyle flourishes, with a move to an opulent mansion, Margaret feels increasingly isolated, locked away while Walter mingles with A-listers. The facade of their relationship begins to fray, as Walter insists on misleading their daughter Jane (Madeleine Arthur) about the true authorship of the paintings. Enraged by Walter’s appropriation of her work, Margaret attempts to change her artistic style to regain her identity as a painter.
A troubling discovery leads Margaret to find paintings of Parisian scenes signed by another artist, revealing Walter’s deceptive talents. When confronted, Walter admits his inability to paint but warns Margaret to remain silent about the truth. As tension escalates between them, Walter’s threats of violence compel Margaret and Jane to flee, culminating in a dramatic escape during a fiery incident instigated by Walter.
Their new life begins in Honolulu, Hawaii, where Walter makes demands in exchange for a divorce, leaving Margaret feeling trapped. With newfound clarity inspired by two Jehovah’s Witnesses, she decides to reclaim her identity by signing her paintings with “MDH Keane.” A surprise radio interview shocked the world, as Margaret publicly declares herself the real artist, which swiftly captures national attention.
As Walter’s fevered denials continue, Margaret counters with a lawsuit for defamation against him and the press, resulting in a courtroom spectacle. The judge challenges both to create a piece of art under time constraints, where Margaret showcases her undeniable talent while Walter falters under pressure, leading to her triumphant victory in court.
Outside the courthouse, Margaret expresses that her true desire is for recognition, not riches. Amidst the media frenzy, she signs a publication, finally taking ownership of her work. Walter, holding onto his delusions until his death in poverty, never paints again, while Margaret rejuvenates her passion by returning to San Francisco to open a new gallery, continuing to create art every day.
Last Updated: November 03, 2024 at 21:25
Don't stop at just watching — explore Big Eyes 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 Big Eyes is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.
Track the full timeline of Big Eyes with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.
Discover movies like Big Eyes that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.
Big Eyes (2014) Scene-by-Scene Movie Timeline
Big Eyes (2014) Movie Characters, Themes & Settings
Movies Like Big Eyes – Similar Titles You’ll Enjoy
Georgetown (2021) Movie Recap & Themes
Made You Look: A True Story About Fake Art (2021) Spoiler-Packed Plot Recap
Secret in Their Eyes (2015) Story Summary & Characters
The Painter and the Thief (2020) Spoiler-Packed Plot Recap
Girl with a Pearl Earring (2003) Story Summary & Characters
My Kid Could Paint That (2007) Ending Explained & Film Insights
The Eyes of Tammy Faye (2021) Detailed Story Recap
Nocturnal Animals (2016) Movie Recap & Themes
The Eyes of My Mother (2016) Complete Plot Breakdown
A Beautiful Mind (2001) Spoiler-Packed Plot Recap
Eyes Wide Shut (1999) Story Summary & Characters
Anamorph (2008) Film Overview & Timeline
The Big Picture (1989) Full Summary & Key Details
Everybody Says I'm Fine! (2003) Detailed Story Recap
The Artist's Wife (2020) Full Movie Breakdown