Year: 2010
Runtime: 91 min
Language: English
Director: Jay Duplass
A divorced man finds hope for a new relationship with a woman, but their budding romance faces an unexpected challenge. Her adult son, Cyrus, has a unique and complicated bond with his mother and resists the idea of sharing her. As the man tries to integrate into their unconventional family dynamic, he must contend with Cyrus's eccentric behavior and navigate the complexities of love, acceptance, and the difficulties of growing up. The situation leads to both humorous and heartwarming moments as they all confront their individual struggles.
Warning: spoilers below!
Haven’t seen Cyrus 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 Cyrus (2010), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.
Jamie, portrayed by Catherine Keener, breaks the news to her ex-husband, John C. Reilly, that she is set to marry someone else. Despite being apart for seven years, this revelation leaves John emotionally shattered and deepens his already existing depression. At a party the following night, John, overwhelmed by drink, finds himself in a compromising situation when he ends up urinating in the bushes. Here, he encounters Molly, played by Marisa Tomei, who strikes up a chat with him. After an unexpected turn of events, Molly spends the night at John’s place but decides to leave shortly after they have sex.
The following evening, their connection sparks once again when Molly returns for dinner, only to leave after another intimate encounter. Curious about her, John follows her home and ends up dozing off in his car outside. The next day, as he approaches the house, he meets Molly’s son, Cyrus, who is only twenty-one. Cyrus is cordial and invites John in, creating an uneasy atmosphere for John when he sees the unusually close bond between Molly and her son.
As the days pass, John experiences growing anxiety, particularly when he cannot find his shoes he left in Molly’s living room. His unease escalates as he suspects Cyrus of playing mind games with him. To ease his worries, John convinces Jamie to meet Molly and Cyrus, but she finds Cyrus sweet, albeit too close for comfort with his mother. Despite feeling relieved, John’s return to Molly’s home takes a turn when their romantic moment is interrupted by Cyrus’s screams in the middle of the night, prompting Molly to rush to comfort him and leaving John alone.
When John tries to express his feelings to Molly, Cyrus interferes under the pretense of a night terror and advises John to back away from the relationship, stirring further doubt in John’s mind. After writing Molly a note, he heads home. The following day, Cyrus manipulates the situation by telling Molly that John thinks she is too pushy, leading to a significant argument that leaves Molly distraught. Eventually, after some time apart, Cyrus believes he can no longer stay with his mother and moves out.
Feeling elated, John contemplates moving in with Molly, but their romantic encounter is again disrupted by Cyrus, who fabricates a panic attack to break them apart. John confronts Cyrus privately, leading to the revelation that Cyrus has been intentionally sabotaging their relationship. As tensions rise, the night before Jamie’s wedding, John warns Cyrus not to stir up trouble, but at the wedding, Cyrus, feeling threatened, accuses John of trying to steal his mother away. Their confrontation turns chaotic, attracting attention and forcing John to deny the accusations.
Despite Molly’s support of John’s explanation, he ultimately decides to end their relationship, fearing that Cyrus will always be a hurdle and he will find himself alone eventually. He opts for a cheaper living situation to distance himself. These events compel Molly to confront Cyrus about their unhealthy relationship. After some soul-searching, Cyrus attempts to mend fences and reconciles with John, leading both to embrace their relationships anew, hoping for a healthier future together.
Last Updated: November 03, 2024 at 13:47
Don't stop at just watching — explore Cyrus 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 Cyrus is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.
Track the full timeline of Cyrus 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 Cyrus 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.
Cyrus (2010) Scene-by-Scene Movie Timeline
Cyrus (2010) Movie Characters, Themes & Settings
Movies Like Cyrus – Similar Titles You’ll Enjoy
The Cobbler (2015) Ending Explained & Film Insights
Cactus Flower (1969) Movie Recap & Themes
Crazy, Stupid, Love (2011) Full Summary & Key Details
C'mon C'mon (2021) Detailed Story Recap
Columbus (2017) Plot Summary & Ending Explained
When in Rome (2010) Detailed Story Recap
Failure to Launch (2006) Full Summary & Key Details
The Hollars (2016) Plot Summary & Ending Explained
City Island (2010) Ending Explained & Film Insights
Cronies (2015) Ending Explained & Film Insights
The Re-Education of Molly Singer (2023) Detailed Story Recap
Mark, Mary & Some Other People (2021) Full Summary & Key Details
Supporting Characters (2013) Film Overview & Timeline
Son in Law (1993) Ending Explained & Film Insights
Crooklyn (1994) Complete Plot Breakdown