Year: 2023
Runtime: 76 min
Language: English
Director: Sophie Galibert
A college student, Cherry, enlists in the army and experiences the harsh realities of war, leading to PTSD and a dependence on opioid painkillers. Returning home, he struggles to readjust to civilian life and, fueled by addiction, turns to robbing banks to support his habit and the people around him. Tom Holland delivers a powerful performance in this gripping drama exploring themes of trauma, addiction, and redemption.
Warning: spoilers below!
Haven’t seen Cherry 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 Cherry (2023), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.
Cherry experiences a whirlwind romance when he falls head over heels for his college classmate, Emily. Their love flourishes, but everything takes a turn when Emily decides to pursue her studies in Montreal, leaving Cherry heartbroken. To escape his pain, he takes a drastic step and enlists in the Army as a medic. Just before his deployment, Emily realizes she still loves him and confesses her feelings, leading to a quick wedding before he heads off to serve.
During his two years of service, Cherry faces the harsh realities of war, which leave him suffering from PTSD due to traumatic experiences such as witnessing the horrific death of his friend, Jimenez. Back home, the weight of his trauma manifests as panic attacks, and he finds himself turning to OxyContin in a desperate attempt to manage his anxiety. This quickly spirals out of control, as his growing addiction begins to strain his relationship with Emily, who feels helpless and ends up using Cherry’s medication herself. Sadly, both find themselves sinking deeper into addiction, ultimately leading them to heroin.
Their situation worsens when they break into a safe that Cherry is safeguarding for his drug dealer, Pills and Coke, only to find out later that it belonged to a powerful figure named Black. With the loss of drugs, Cherry feels the pressure to rob a bank to repay the debt. This act sets off a series of robberies fueled by their need for drugs. Emily’s health deteriorates, culminating in a near-fatal overdose, followed by emotional manipulation from her mother to leave Cherry.
Determined to support their habit, Cherry enlists the help of Pills and Coke and his trusted friend, James Lightfoot, to rob multiple tellers simultaneously. In a tense robbery gone wrong, Cherry ends up alone and forced to carry the burden of their reckless choices. Tragically, in an attempt to rescue Pills and Coke, Lightfoot discovers him fatally shot, and they make the gut-wrenching decision to abandon him.
Later, Cherry faces the wrath of Black, who confronts him to settle the drug debt. With a sense of finality, Cherry kisses Emily goodbye and embarks on one last desperate heist. During this robbery, he engages the teller to trigger the alarm before escaping with the cash to pay off Black. Cherry’s reckless gamble culminates in an iconic moment where he draws attention to himself by firing his weapon into the air, intending to get high one last time before being arrested.
After serving 14 years in prison, Cherry emerges from behind bars a changed man. As he steps into freedom, he is greeted by the sight of Emily waiting for him, suggesting a thread of hope remains amid their turbulent past.
Last Updated: October 25, 2024 at 10:44
Still wondering what the ending of Cherry (2023) really means? Here’s a spoiler-heavy breakdown of the final scene, major twists, and the deeper themes that shape the film’s conclusion.
Cherry’s ending offers a sense of hope amidst the chaos and despair that defined much of his life. After enduring war, trauma, addiction, and a cycle of crime, Cherry ultimately chooses to walk away from his life of illegal activities and substance abuse. His final bank robbery is less about greed and more a desperate act to free himself from that destructive cycle, signaling his desire for a second chance. By firing shots and alerting the police, Cherry deliberately gets arrested, which becomes a turning point for his redemption. During his time in prison, Cherry’s behavior is exemplary, symbolizing his commitment to change. When he is eventually paroled, he steps back into the world, physically and emotionally reborn. The film concludes with him meeting Emily, now sober and hopeful, and the two of them reuniting. Their reunion suggests the possibility of healing and starting anew, with both of them leaving behind their troubled pasts. In this ending, Cherry’s journey reflects the difficult but hopeful reality that even after profound pain and loss, renewal and happiness are possible if one is willing to confront their demons and seek redemption. The ending thus resonates as a powerful affirmation that hope can still be found, even in the darkest of circumstances.
Last Updated: June 25, 2025 at 08:44
Don't stop at just watching — explore Cherry 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 Cherry is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.
Track the full timeline of Cherry with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.
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