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Plot Summary

Certain Women (2016) Plot Summary Explained

Release, runtime and language
2016 · 107 min · English
JustWatch #2,133 15
Directed by
Kelly Reichardt
Starring
Laura Dern, James LeGros, Michelle Williams, Kristen Stewart

Set against the backdrop of Montana's expansive landscape, this film explores the lives of three women facing different challenges. A lawyer confronts gender inequality and a tense situation at work; a determined wife and mother struggles to realize her dream of building a house, encountering resistance from the men around her; and a young law student develops a surprising connection with a solitary ranch worker. Through their individual journeys, the film portrays a thoughtful and realistic depiction of women striving for autonomy and resilience.

On this page (7)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 What happens: full plot
  3. 3 Plot questions answered
  4. 4 Movie threads
  5. 5 Movies like Certain Women
  6. 6 Categories
  7. 7 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch Certain Women (2016)

Where can you watch Certain Women? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on AMC+, fuboTV and MUBI: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

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Full plot summary · contains spoilers

What Happens in Certain Women: Full Plot Summary

The whole story of Certain Women (2016) 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.

In Livingston, Montana, attorney Laura Wells is grappling with a disgruntled client named Fuller, who has been repeatedly visiting her office for the past eight months. After suffering a workplace injury that has left him disabled, Fuller finds himself unemployed and frustrated. Despite Laura’s advice to seek another lawyer, he is resistant. When Fuller meets with the new attorney, he hears what Laura had explained previously: even though the company is at fault for his injuries, he cannot pursue further legal action because he previously accepted a small settlement offer from them.

On his journey back home, Fuller has a heated argument with his wife and ends up getting kicked out of their car. In desperation, he flags down Laura for a ride back to Livingston, revealing his dark thoughts about wanting to shoot those responsible for his plight.

That evening, Laura receives a harrowing call from the police informing her that Fuller has taken a security guard hostage at his former workplace. With trepidation, Laura agrees to enter the building to negotiate with Fuller. Upon finding him, she uncovers his employee file at his behest, which reveals the details of how he was cheated out of his rightful settlement. As Fuller contemplates releasing the guard, he asks Laura to mislead the police about his demands, but she opts for honesty and informs them of his location, resulting in his arrest.

Parallel to Fuller’s story, we meet Gina and Ryan Lewis, a couple constructing their rural home with their teenage daughter. Tensions arise as Gina feels Ryan frequently undermines her decisions, particularly during an encounter with Albert, an elderly man they hope to convince to sell them sandstone. Gina stealthily records their conversation, leading to a debate in their car about whether to go through with taking the sandstone after Albert reluctantly agrees to their proposal.

Meanwhile, Jamie, a ranch hand living in solitude, stumbles upon an evening class on education law taught by Beth Travis. Intrigued, Jamie attends each week despite her lack of interest in the subject. Their bond deepens when Jamie brings her horse to class one day, but she is devastated to learn that Beth has quit shortly thereafter. Determined, Jamie ventures into Livingston to find her. After a bittersweet encounter, she leaves feeling empty and ultimately succumbs to exhaustion, falling asleep at the wheel and driving into a field.

As the story unfolds, Laura continues her visitations with Fuller in prison, bringing a sense of understanding despite the circumstances. Gina enjoys a barbecue with friends, receiving appreciation for her hard work, as she takes a moment to smile at the sandstone. Meanwhile, Jamie persists with her daily routine at the ranch, navigating her own bittersweet journey through the complexities of life in Livingston.

Last updated: November 15, 2024 at 17:34

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Plot questions answered

Certain Women Plot Explained: Your Questions Answered

The questions people ask most about Certain Women (2016): 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 does Fuller take a security guard hostage at his former workplace?

Fuller takes a security guard hostage because he has reached a breaking point after being cheated out of his rightful workers' compensation settlement. After losing his job due to a workplace injury and discovering that a previous settlement offer prevents him from pursuing further legal action, Fuller feels he has no other options left. He expresses dark thoughts about wanting to harm those responsible for his situation before escalating to the hostage situation.

Foreshadowing: Earlier scenes establish Fuller's eight months of frustration and his desperate financial situation after being disabled.

  • fuller
  • hostage
  • workers compensation
  • settlement
  • desperation
Q2

Why does Laura agree to enter the building to negotiate with Fuller?

Laura agrees to negotiate with Fuller because she feels a sense of responsibility toward him after representing him for eight months. Despite his threatening behavior, she recognizes that she is the only person he trusts and that her involvement might prevent anyone from getting hurt. Her legal background and connection to his case make her the logical choice to attempt de-escalation.

Foreshadowing: Laura's repeated meetings with Fuller throughout the story establish their relationship and her investment in his case.

  • laura
  • negotiation
  • fulker
  • trust
  • legal
Q3

Why does Fuller ask Laura to mislead the police about his demands?

Fuller asks Laura to mislead the police because he is still hoping to negotiate some kind of resolution to his situation without facing immediate arrest. He wants her to tell the police that he has no demands, likely hoping this would buy time or allow him to release the hostage without consequences. It reflects his confused mental state, wanting help while also being trapped in his desperate act.

Foreshadowing: Fuller's earlier statement to Laura about wanting to shoot those responsible shows his willingness to consider extreme actions.

  • fulker
  • police
  • demands
  • negotiation
  • arrest
Q4

Why does Beth quit her education law class?

Beth quits her teaching position without explanation, leaving Jamie and the other students without notice. The film never explicitly states why she leaves, but it appears to be a personal decision rather than a professional one. This abrupt departure leaves Jamie feeling lost and searching for answers, highlighting the theme of unfulfilled connections that runs through the film.

Foreshadowing: Jamie's growing interest in the class and her attachment to Beth foreshadow the impact of Beth's sudden departure.

  • beth
  • quit
  • teaching
  • education law
  • jamie
Q5

Why does Jamie fall asleep at the wheel and crash into a field?

Jamie falls asleep at the wheel because she is emotionally and physically exhausted after traveling to Livingston to find Beth, only to experience a disappointing encounter. The crash represents the overwhelming toll that her unfulfilled longing and the struggles of her life have taken on her wellbeing. She simply runs out of energy while driving home.

Foreshadowing: Jamie's journey to find Beth and her emotional state after the encounter set up her exhaustion.

  • jamie
  • car crash
  • exhaustion
  • field
  • Beth
Q6

Why does Gina secretly record her conversation with Albert about the sandstone?

Gina records the conversation with Albert because she wants to protect herself and her husband Ryan in case Albert later denies agreeing to sell them the sandstone. This reflects the distrust and uncertainty in their negotiation, as Albert is reluctant to sell and they fear he might change his mind. The recording becomes a point of debate between Gina and Ryan about whether to proceed with taking the sandstone.

Foreshadowing: The tension between Gina and Ryan about the sandstone deal reflects their broader relationship dynamic where Gina feels undermined.

  • gina
  • recording
  • albert
  • sandstone
  • negotiation
Q7

What settlement did Fuller accept and why does it prevent further legal action?

Fuller previously accepted a small settlement offer from his employer after his workplace injury. By accepting this offer, he signed away his right to pursue additional legal claims, even though the company was at fault for his injuries. This is why Laura explains that he cannot pursue further legal action, he has already settled his case, leaving him with no recourse despite being cheated out of a fairer compensation.

Foreshadowing: Fuller's repeated visits to Laura over eight months establish his frustration with this legal dead end.

  • settlement
  • legal action
  • workers compensation
  • fuller
  • injury
Q8

Why does Laura continue visiting Fuller in prison after the hostage situation?

Laura continues visiting Fuller in prison because she maintains her commitment to understanding his perspective and providing support, despite the traumatic events that transpired. Her visits represent her belief in compassion and empathy, even for someone who committed a serious crime. This ongoing connection offers a glimmer of hope in an otherwise bleak situation for both of them.

Foreshadowing: Laura's earlier decision to honestly inform the police of Fuller's location, rather than mislead them, shows her balanced approach to helping while maintaining integrity.

  • laura
  • fuller
  • prison
  • visits
  • support
Q9

Why does Gina smile at the sandstone at the end of the film?

Gina smiles at the sandstone during the barbecue scene because it represents a small victory amid her struggles. Despite the challenges she faced with Ryan undermining her decisions and the difficult negotiation with Albert, she managed to secure the sandstone for their home project. The smile signifies her resilience and the recognition of her hard work, even in a relationship where she often feels overlooked.

Foreshadowing: Earlier scenes show Gina's determination to acquire the sandstone despite resistance from both Albert and Ryan.

  • gina
  • sandstone
  • smile
  • barbecue
  • home
Q10

Why does Jamie travel to Livingston to find Beth after she quits?

Jamie travels to Livingston to find Beth because she has developed a genuine connection with her education law professor despite initially having no interest in the subject. Beth's sudden departure leaves Jamie feeling abandoned and confused. Jamie's journey reflects her search for meaning and connection in her isolated life as a ranch hand, and her need to understand why someone she cared about left without explanation.

Foreshadowing: Jamie's weekly attendance at the class and her bringing of the horse to class demonstrate her growing attachment to Beth.

  • jamie
  • beth
  • Livingston
  • search
  • connection

Movie threads

More Movies Like Certain Women, by Mood & Story

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

Movies about quietly resilient women like Certain Women

Stories of women navigating isolation and striving for autonomy in rural settings. Discover movies like Certain Women that explore the subtle strength of women in rural or isolated settings. If you enjoyed the realistic portrayal of autonomy and connection in Montana, you'll find similar thoughtful, character-focused dramas here.

  • contemplative
  • resilient
  • isolated
  • quiet
  • atmospheric
  • realistic
  • Tone: melancholic, understated, realistic
  • Pacing: slow, contemplative
Why these movies?

The story pattern: Narratives in this thread often follow one or more female protagonists as they confront societal expectations, personal limitations, or emotional distance. The plots are typically low on external drama, instead building meaning through small moments of struggle, connection, and quiet perseverance.

Why they belong together: These films are grouped for their shared focus on a specific female experience: resilience without fanfare. They share a melancholic yet realistic tone, deliberate pacing, and a thematic emphasis on autonomy, making the viewing experience consistently thoughtful and understated.

Movies with contemplative vignettes like Certain Women

Cinematic portraits where interconnected stories explore everyday human struggles. If you liked the triptych structure and slice-of-life feel of Certain Women, explore these other films. This section features movies with interconnected stories that offer a quiet, realistic look at everyday struggles and human connection.

  • contemplative
  • atmospheric
  • quiet
  • realistic
  • everyday life
  • interconnected
  • Tone: thoughtful, bittersweet, atmospheric
  • Pacing: slow, meandering
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative pattern involves multiple, often loosely connected storylines that run parallel. There is rarely a single climax; instead, emotional weight accumulates through small, observed moments. Endings tend to be bittersweet or ambiguous, reflecting the ongoing nature of life's challenges.

Why they belong together: These films are united by their structural approach and overall vibe. They prioritize atmosphere, subtle emotional shifts, and a realistic portrayal of daily life over conventional plot mechanics, creating a meditative and deeply human viewing experience.

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Movies Like Certain Women

Similar movies to Certain Women: the same genre, themes or kind of story. Each one comes with its own plot summary, timeline and ending explained.

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Categories

Movie Lists Featuring Certain Women

Certain Women appears in these hand-built movie categories. Each one groups movies by a specific mood, theme or story type, with their plot summaries and endings explained.

View all movie categories

Every angle

Certain Women (2016) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about Certain Women 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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