During a bleak New England winter, young postal worker Eileen feels trapped by her life and overbearing mother. The arrival of new counselor Rebecca Staltz brings a spark of excitement, and the two women develop an unexpected friendship. However, Rebecca harbors secrets, and as Eileen’s fascination with her grows, she is drawn into a dangerous and deceitful situation that challenges her sense of morality and forever alters her life.
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Read the complete plot breakdown of Eileen (2023), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.
The film opens with a striking scene of a car facing a frozen lake, enveloped in smoke. Set in the early 1960s, Eileen (Thomasin McKenzie) finds herself in her vehicle, distracted by a young couple’s flirtations in a nearby car. In a moment of impulsive excitement, she shoves snow down her pants before driving back home in her smoky, malfunctioning car. Upon her arrival, she encounters her father, Jim (Shea Whigham), who is slumped in an armchair, surrounded by empty liquor bottles. Eileen dutifully replaces the bottles as a way of maintaining order in their chaotic home. After making her way to her room, she indulges in sweets, only to spit them out before drifting off to sleep.
The next day, Eileen heads to the boy’s prison where she works as a secretary. While on duty, she notices Lee Polk (Sam Nivola), a young man isolated from the other inmates. During visiting hours, Eileen performs her responsibilities of patting down the incoming female visitors while engaging in fantasies about a young guard. After work, she witnesses a going-away party for the outgoing prison psychologist, Dr. Frye (Peter Von Berg), who is being replaced the following day.
Eileen’s home life is no sanctuary. She finds Jim drunk in the street, brandishing his gun at passing pedestrians as Buck (Jefferson White), a policeman, attempts to de-escalate the situation. Once inside, Jim criticizes Eileen for failing to live up to the expectations of her late mother and sister. In an effort to keep him restrained, she locks away all of his shoes in her car.
The arrival of Rebecca St. John (Anne Hathaway), the new psychologist, shakes up Eileen’s world. Instantly captivated by Rebecca’s allure, Eileen discovers they share similar feelings of detachment from societal norms. As Christmas approaches, an annual pageant at the prison becomes chaotic due to unruly prisoners. Afterward, Eileen picks up a pack of cigarettes, reminiscent of those Rebecca had smoked earlier. It’s revealed that Lee is incarcerated for killing his father, leaving a trail of silence in the aftermath of the incident.
Eileen’s fascination with Lee escalates as she watches him through his cell window and looks through his graphic file depicting the murder. Their paths converge further when she runs into Rebecca, prompting an invitation for drinks at a local bar. Dressed to impress, Eileen heads out and, during the evening, shares intimate moments with Rebecca, culminating in a kiss that leaves her both elated and bewildered.
However, the aftermath of their night out leads Eileen to a grim reality. She awakens locked out of her home, facing the repercussions of her father’s erratic behavior. After Buck sees to the complaints regarding Jim’s antics, Eileen receives custody of his gun with strict instructions not to use it against him. Struggling with dark thoughts, she finds herself in a downward spiral.
Upon returning to work, Eileen learns that Rebecca will not be back until after the holidays. Distressed, Eileen breaks into Rebecca’s office, finding solace in solitude. When she returns home, she finds Jim in dire straits after falling down the stairs, leading to a hospital visit that exposes the severity of his alcohol dependency. Jim’s harsh words about her worthiness trigger an emotional breakdown.
Days later, an invitation to Christmas Eve at Rebecca’s home ignites hope within Eileen. The two share revelations over wine, discussing the yearning for ‘normalcy,’ but the atmosphere shifts dramatically when Rebecca unveils a shocking secret: she has Mrs. Polk, Lee’s mother, confined and under duress for her complicity in the abuse Lee endured.
With Eileen manipulated into threatening Mrs. Polk, things spiral out of control. After Mrs. Polk confesses her involvement, a moment of rage compels Eileen to shoot her. The ensuing chaos heightens Rebecca’s panic as they scramble to contain the situation, leading Eileen to propose a cover-up that would suggest Jim was responsible.
As the plot thickens, Eileen’s infatuation clouds her judgment. When Rebecca fails to return, Eileen takes matters into her own hands, devising a dark plan that involves putting Mrs. Polk in the running car. The film concludes with Eileen hitchhiking away, a smile of satisfaction indicating a newfound freedom amid her turmoil.
Eileen’s transformation from a silent observer to an active participant in violence reflects the complexities of her character, leaving audiences to grapple with the contradictions of love and moral ambiguity.
Last Updated: October 24, 2024 at 09:06
Still wondering what the ending of Eileen (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.
Eileen’s story culminates in her spiraling into a violent act driven by her deep frustrations and desire for escape. Throughout the film, we see her living a dull, repressive life under her father’s oppressive care, feeling invisible and disconnected from the world around her. Her relationship with Rebecca, the new psychologist, ignites a flicker of hope and excitement, giving her a glimpse of something different—perhaps love, validation, or a chance at a new life. However, her obsession with Rebecca and her growing sense of entrapment intensify her psychological unraveling. When Eileen finally helps Rebecca expose the traumatic truth about Lee Polk’s family, she reaches a breaking point. She shoots Mrs. Polk in an act of overwhelming emotion, likely feeling a kinship with her as someone haunted by past trauma and betrayal. This act of violence is not just about revenge or justice; it symbolizes her desperation to break free from her suffocating existence.
Afterward, Eileen’s actions become increasingly reckless. She suggests framing her father for Mrs. Polk’s death, revealing her desire to completely sever her ties to her past and her family. The climax sees her drive away with the unconscious Rita in her car, heading into the forest—an act that symbolizes her attempt to escape her reality permanently. The film ends with Eileen hitchhiking on the highway, smiling as she looks to a future she controls on her own terms. Her transformation from a passive, neglected girl into someone willing to take drastic measures to forge her own path is stark and unsettling, leaving the viewer pondering whether her escape will truly lead to freedom or simply deepen her madness. Ultimately, her ending is one of ambiguous liberation—her physical escape from her circumstances suggests she’s finally liberated, but the darkness within her hints that her internal struggles may still continue.
Last Updated: June 25, 2025 at 09:01
Don't stop at just watching — explore Eileen 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 Eileen is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.
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