Call Me by Your Name

Call Me by Your Name

Year: 2017

Runtime: 132 min

Language: English

Director: Luca Guadagnino

DramaRomance

In the idyllic Italian countryside of 1983, seventeen-year-old Elio experiences a transformative summer. While spending time at his family’s villa, he develops an unexpected attraction to Oliver, a charming American graduate student who has come to assist Elio’s father. As Elio explores his burgeoning feelings, he confronts complex emotions and discovers a profound connection that alters the course of his life.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Call Me by Your Name (2017) – Full Plot Summary & Ending Explained

Read the complete plot breakdown of Call Me by Your Name (2017), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.

It is the summer of 1983 when Elio (played by Timothée Chalamet), a seventeen-year-old boy of Hebrew American-Italian descent, resides in the picturesque northern Italian countryside with his family. His father, Mr. Perlman (portrayed by Michael Stuhlbarg), a professor of archaeology, invites an American Hebrew graduate student, Oliver (played by Armie Hammer), to stay with them for six weeks to assist with academic work. Oliver hails from a small town in New England and brings a contrasting energy to Elio’s introverted nature.

Elio’s mother, Annella (played by Amira Casar), supports their time together, but Elio grapples with the idea of sharing his space and feels a twinge of resentment. Amidst the lush landscapes and sunny days, Elio offers to be Oliver’s tour guide, providing glimpses of the local scenery, which includes an orchard filled with peaches, apricots, and pomegranates. Elio juggles his time between reading, sharing fleeting moments with his girlfriend Marzia (played by Esther Garrel), and grappling with his emerging feelings for Oliver.

Throughout the summer, a subtle tension builds. During a volleyball match, the close proximity causes a brief touch, igniting something unspoken within Elio. Although he initially distances himself from Oliver, he finds himself reevaluating this dismissal as their interactions grow. Oliver actively seeks moments with Elio, appreciating his musical talent during a piano recital, which leads Elio to introspect about his behavior.

As their friendship deepens, Oliver and Elio go swimming, embark on long walks, and join Elio’s father on an archaeological expedition, which results in the discovery of a beautifully preserved metal statue. Despite an apparent chemistry, Elio faces jealousy when Oliver shows interest in local girl Chiara (played by Victoire Du Bois), making Elio confront his feelings more directly.

Elio’s internal conflict heightens as he engages in a sexual relationship with Marzia while struggling with his attraction to Oliver. A pivotal moment occurs when he confesses his feelings to Oliver during a trip to the post office; however, Oliver advises him to hold back. Their relationship takes a fateful turn when Elio kisses Oliver during a swimming session, which Oliver reciprocates, yet he hesitates to push beyond this intimacy.

A secretive rendezvous leads to their first deep connection, awakening a passionate affair cloaked in secrecy. In moments of vulnerability, they share thoughts and desires, culminating in shared phrases like, > “Call me by your name and I’ll call you by mine.” This deepening bond brings Elio joy but also confusion, as the days of Oliver’s stay dwindle.

Elio experiences a spectrum of emotions, from joy to anguish, especially as he feels the weight of their fleeting time together. A memorable encounter involving a peach leads to an embarrassing but significant moment, solidifying the bond they share, even as Elio begins to distance himself from Marzia.

As Oliver’s time with the family draws to a close, Elio’s parents sense the connection between the boys and suggest a getaway to Bergamo for one last adventure. Their trip springs forth moments of beauty and heartbreak, leaving Elio devastated when Oliver departs. Upon returning home, Elio grapples with the melancholic realization of love lost, seeking solace in his family and the understanding of his father’s own youthful romantic experiences.

The story reaches a poignant climax during Hanukkah when Oliver calls to share his engagement news, prompting Elio to momentarily revisit their shared memories. Their heartfelt exchange encapsulates a lingering attachment, and Elio is left to reflect in solitude, seated by the fireplace, as his family prepares for the holiday dinner, embodying the bittersweet nature of their love.

Last Updated: November 16, 2024 at 15:14

Ending Explained – What Happens at the End of Call Me by Your Name?

Still wondering what the ending of Call Me by Your Name (2017) really means? Here’s a spoiler-heavy breakdown of the final scene, major twists, and the deeper themes that shape the film’s conclusion.

At the film’s emotional conclusion, Elio, after receiving the devastating news that Oliver will be marrying someone else, is left to wrestle with a mixture of heartbreak and longing. Sitting quietly by a fire in the winter, he is surrounded by memories of their fleeting but intense summer romance. The story spans roughly half a year, but the last moments take place in the winter following Oliver’s departure.

The film then jumps ahead to show the long silence that follows their parting. Over the years, Elio and Oliver’s lives drift apart, with infrequent contact and unspoken regrets. About nine or ten years after that summer, they briefly reconnect through a phone call, but it’s clear Oliver has moved on and forgotten the depth of their past. Several more years pass, and their next face-to-face encounter occurs when Elio visits Oliver’s college town. At first, Oliver doesn’t recognize him, but once they reconnect, they share a bittersweet moment filled with nostalgia.

The film’s final scene takes place twenty years after their initial romance, with Oliver returning to the house in Italy. Elio shows Oliver the spot where his father’s ashes were scattered and reflects on the passage of time. As they stand together, Elio asks Oliver if he remembers everything — the intimacy, the feelings — recognizing that Oliver, like himself, holds onto the past. Oliver’s response, “I remember everything,” signifies that despite the years and the changes, their connection remains deeply etched in their memories. Elio’s wish — that Oliver would call him by his name, as they did in their youth — underscores the lingering longing and unresolved emotions between them. Ultimately, the ending emphasizes the enduring impact of their love and the bittersweet beauty of coming to terms with what can never be fully rekindled.

Last Updated: June 25, 2025 at 08:57

Unlock the Full Story of Call Me by Your Name

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Call Me by Your Name Timeline

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Call Me by Your Name Timeline

Characters, Settings & Themes in Call Me by Your Name

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Call Me by Your Name

Call Me by Your Name Ending Explained

What really happened at the end of Call Me by Your Name? This detailed ending explained page breaks down final scenes, hidden clues, and alternate interpretations with expert analysis and viewer theories.

Call Me by Your Name Ending Explained

More About Call Me by Your Name

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