Plot Explained Spoilers guaranteed!
Plot Explained

Browse by genre

Elyse (2020) movie poster

Plot Summary

Elyse (2020) Plot Summary Explained

Release, runtime and language
2020 · 95 min · English
Echo score 26
JustWatch #11,653 6
Directed by
Stella Arroyave
Starring
Anthony Hopkins, Donat Balaj, Julieta Ortiz, Aaron Tucker, Anthony Apel, Everett Kelsey

Haunted by the ghost of her deceased son, Elyse struggles to cope with overwhelming grief and disorientation. A family gathering is tragically misinterpreted as a threat, leading to a violent act that irrevocably alters her life. As her grip on reality loosens, a disturbing past comes to light, forcing her to confront trauma, narcissism, and profound loss. With the guidance of Dr. Lewis and the support of David, she seeks a path toward healing and redemption.

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

Where to watch

Where to Watch Elyse (2020)

Where can you watch Elyse? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on Amazon Prime Video, Fawesome and Hoopla: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

Streaming availability powered by JustWatch

Full plot summary · contains spoilers

What Happens in Elyse: Full Plot Summary

The whole story of Elyse (2020) 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 this profound exploration of grief, director Stella Hopkins presents Elyse, a gripping psychological drama that delves into the shadows of mental illness. At first glance, Elyse (played by Lisa Pepper) appears to embody grace and intelligence; however, beneath this exterior lies a tumultuous battle with Borderline Personality Disorder and Clinical Depression.

The narrative begins with Elyse stepping out of a stark white, architecturally designed house that feels more like a mausoleum than a home, symbolizing the presence of her deceased son, Cody (portrayed by Griffin Thomas Hollander). This surreal structure reflects her emotional desolation and detachment from life. After aimlessly wandering through her day, Elyse returns home exhausted and vulnerable, viewing her family dinner as a looming threat to her fragile existence and marriage.

Her escalating agitation leads to a dramatic clash with her supportive husband, Steven (Aaron Tucker), as she lashes out against the loving concern he offers. The tension builds rapidly, culminating in a psychotic episode where Elyse unknowingly causes a tragic accident that kills Cody and his nanny, Julia (Julieta Ortiz).

The film emphasizes that Elyse is not the only victim in this devastating spiral; her spiraling mental state wreaks havoc on her husband's life, as well. The intertwining of memory and hallucination uncovers a painful past steeped in trauma, revealing that Elyse is trapped in a catatonic state and seeks refuge in a State Hospital.

Elyse's path to recovery is riddled with challenges, including the disintegration of her marriage, the imperative need for reconciliation with her mother, Goldie (Fran Tucker), and finding forgiveness from Carmen (Tara Arroyave), the nanny's daughter. Ultimately, it is through the compassionate support and clinical expertise of Dr. Philip Lewis (Anthony Hopkins), the Chief of Psychiatry, alongside the unwavering care from her nurse David (Anthony Apel), that Elyse begins to envision the possibility of a new life, one where hope can flourish amidst the wreckage of her past.

Last updated: October 25, 2024 at 09:35

Was this helpful?

Plot questions answered

Elyse Plot Explained: Your Questions Answered

The questions people ask most about Elyse (2020): 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 Elyse have a psychotic episode?

Elyse experiences a psychotic episode triggered by overwhelming grief over her son Cody's death and her struggle with Borderline Personality Disorder and Clinical Depression. The stress of the family dinner and her escalating conflict with her husband Steven become the breaking point, causing her to lose touch with reality and unknowingly cause the tragic accident that kills Cody and nanny Julia.

Foreshadowing: Earlier scenes show Elyse's escalating agitation and disconnection as she wanders aimlessly, reflecting her deteriorating mental state.

  • psychotic episode
  • breakdown
  • grief
  • mental illness
  • borderline personality disorder
Q2

How does Cody die in Elyse?

Cody dies in a tragic accident caused by Elyse during a psychotic episode. While in a state of acute distress and detachment from reality, Elyse is behind the wheel and causes an accident that kills both her son Cody and his nanny Julia. This devastating event occurs at the peak of her mental breakdown.

Foreshadowing: The tension at the family dinner and Elyse's confrontation with Steven foreshadow this tragic moment.

  • cody
  • death
  • accident
  • tragedy
  • julia
Q3

What mental illness does Elyse have in the movie?

Elyse is diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder and Clinical Depression. These conditions manifest through her intense grief, emotional instability, disconnection from reality, and eventual psychotic episode. The film portrays how these disorders can lead to catastrophic consequences when untreated.

Foreshadowing: Her aimless wandering and the stark white house (resembling a mausoleum) visually represent her emotional desolation from the start.

  • borderline personality disorder
  • depression
  • mental illness
  • psychosis
Q4

Why does Elyse go to a State Hospital?

After causing the tragic accident that kills Cody and Julia, Elyse descends into a catatonic state and is admitted to a State Hospital for treatment. This represents her complete psychological collapse and the beginning of her long road to recovery under professional psychiatric care.

Foreshadowing: The film establishes her severe mental instability before the accident, making her hospitalization a logical consequence.

  • state hospital
  • psychiatric treatment
  • catatonic
Q5

Who is Carmen and why does Elyse seek her forgiveness?

Carmen is the daughter of Julia, the nanny who died in the accident along with Cody. Elyse seeks Carmen's forgiveness because she carries profound guilt for causing the death of both her son and Julia. This confrontation represents a crucial step in Elyse's healing process, requiring her to face the consequences of her actions directly.

Foreshadowing: The tragic accident establishes Julia's death, making her daughter Carmen a necessary figure for Elyse's emotional reconciliation.

  • carmen
  • julia
  • nanny
  • forgiveness
  • guilt
Q6

How does Dr. Lewis help Elyse recover?

Dr. Philip Lewis, the Chief of Psychiatry, provides both clinical expertise and compassionate support to Elyse. Through therapy and guidance, he helps her understand her mental health conditions, process the trauma of the accident, and envision the possibility of recovery. His role is pivotal in helping her navigate the complexities of her illness.

Foreshadowing: Dr. Lewis appears during Elyse's hospitalization, representing the professional support structure she needs.

  • dr lewis
  • psychiatrist
  • therapy
  • recovery
  • treatment
Q7

Why is reconciliation with Goldie important for Elyse?

Reconciling with her mother Goldie is important because Elyse must confront her past trauma and repair broken relationships as part of her healing journey. This reconciliation symbolizes her ability to reconnect with family and move toward forgiveness, both of others and herself, which is essential for her recovery from grief and mental illness.

Foreshadowing: Elyse's estrangement from her mother is hinted at through the mention of 'estranged relationships' in her recovery journey.

  • goldie
  • mother
  • reconciliation
  • family
  • forgiveness
Q8

What does the white house symbolize in Elyse?

The stark white, architecturally designed house where Elyse lives feels more like a mausoleum than a home. This architectural choice symbolizes her emotional desolation and the presence of her deceased son Cody. The house represents her detachment from life and the suffocating nature of her grief, serving as a visual metaphor for her mental state.

Foreshadowing: The house is introduced in the opening scene, immediately establishing the film's themes of loss and isolation.

  • white house
  • mausoleum
  • symbolism
  • grief
  • isolation
Q9

What causes Elyse's mental breakdown?

Elyse's breakdown is caused by the cumulative effect of untreated Borderline Personality Disorder, Clinical Depression, and the overwhelming grief from losing her son Cody. The stress of the family dinner and her conflict with her supportive husband Steven become the final triggers that push her into a psychotic episode, resulting in the tragic accident.

Foreshadowing: Her daily aimless wandering and escalating agitation throughout the first half of the film show her deteriorating condition.

  • breakdown
  • psychosis
  • trigger
  • grief
  • stress
Q10

How does Nurse David support Elyse's recovery?

Nurse David provides unwavering compassionate care to Elyse during her hospitalization. Alongside Dr. Lewis's clinical treatment, David's dedication offers Elyse the emotional comfort and support she desperately needs. This nurturing relationship becomes a cornerstone of her gradual healing and helps her feel connected during her darkest moments.

Foreshadowing: David's role is introduced during Elyse's time in the State Hospital, providing consistent support.

  • david
  • nurse
  • care
  • support
  • healing

Movie threads

More Movies Like Elyse, by Mood & Story

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

Movies about grief and psychological collapse like Elyse

Films where profound loss shatters a character's grip on reality. Explore movies like Elyse that take you deep into the heart of grief and mental health crises. These powerful dramas focus on characters navigating profound loss and trauma, often leading to a breakdown of reality and a painful, bittersweet path toward recovery.

  • grieving
  • unsettling
  • psychological
  • desolate
  • somber
  • melancholic
  • Tone: dark, melancholic, psychological
  • Pacing: variable, often starting slow
Why these movies?

The story pattern: Stories typically begin with a defining tragic event that sends the protagonist into a spiral of grief and psychological instability. The narrative structure often becomes nonlinear or subjective, mirroring the character's confusion as they confront past trauma, guilt, and a distorted perception of the world, culminating in a confrontation with their pain.

Why they belong together: Movies are grouped here due to their intense focus on the emotional and psychological ramifications of grief. They share a heavy, melancholic tone, a high level of emotional intensity, and a complex narrative approach that immerses the viewer in a character's internal struggle with reality.

Atmospheric and claustrophobic psychological dramas like Elyse

Slow-burn character studies set within the confines of a troubled mind. If you liked the heavy, unsettling atmosphere of Elyse, discover other movies that build a similar feeling of psychological claustrophobia. These films use slow-burn pacing and a somber tone to explore deep trauma, mental illness, and the fragile process of healing.

  • claustrophobic
  • unsettling
  • somber
  • psychological
  • melancholic
  • desolate
  • Tone: somber, unsettling, melancholic
  • Pacing: slow burn, atmospheric
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative is character-driven and internal, prioritizing mood over fast-paced events. The pacing is often slow or variable, allowing tension and unease to simmer. The setting can feel confining, reflecting the protagonist's mental state as they grapple with their past in a deeply atmospheric and psychologically intense way.

Why they belong together: These films are connected by their shared emphasis on creating a specific, often oppressive, mood. They prioritize a somber, claustrophobic atmosphere, a heavy emotional weight, and a narrative that unfolds with psychological intensity, making the viewer a participant in the character's internal struggle.

If you liked this

Movies Like Elyse

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

Browse all movie summaries

Every angle

Elyse (2020) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about Elyse 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.

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Movie Summary App

Plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Catch up on any movie in minutes, save your favorites and never miss a twist again.

Be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private, always.

Learn more about the app