Ida

The movie opens circa 1962 with three novice nuns gathered around a Christ statue outside a snow-covered convent. This scene illustrates their friendship and the serene yet isolated life they lead within the convent's walls.

Mother Superior calls Anna in to inform her that her aunt, Wanda, has requested her presence for a visit. Surprised by this news, Anna hesitates but, under the insistence of the Mother Superior, prepares to leave the convent for the first time in years.

Anna travels by public transportation to the city, making a brief stop at another family's home. This marks her transition from the cloistered life of the convent to the bustling environment of the city as she approaches meeting her aunt.

Meeting her aunt Wanda in her luxurious apartment, Anna learns shocking family secrets. Wanda reveals that Anna, a Catholic novice, is actually Jewish and her birth name is Ida; this alters Anna’s entire understanding of her identity.

Driven by a desire to connect with her roots, Anna insists on finding the bodies of her parents who were killed during the war, despite Wanda's reluctance. This sparks a journey across Poland that reflects on past traumas and losses.

Arriving at her family home, Anna and Wanda find that it is now occupied by another family. The young wife is unhelpful, denying any knowledge about Anna's past, leaving Anna feeling hopeless as she grapples with what remnants of her family remain.

As Wanda interrogates the hostile husband of the new family, tensions rise. Anna, feeling abandoned, wanders outside and is drawn to a barn where she notices a stained glass window, harkening back to her mother's artistic talents.

With the reluctant help of the homeowner, Anna and Wanda venture into the woods where the father of the former occupants might be hiding. Amid confusion, the truth begins to unravel as Anna realizes the real horrors faced by her family.

In a grim revelation, the homeowner admits to killing Anna's parents and their son, revealing the darkness of his past. This crucial moment uncovers the intertwined fates of Anna, Wanda, and their painful history.

After discovering the bones of her parents, Anna collects them with Wanda to give them a proper burial. This act serves as a cathartic moment for both women as they confront their shared grief.

Returning to the convent, Anna prepares for her vows but struggles with the implications of her newly uncovered identity. This conflict emerges as she experiences carnal desires for the first time, contrasting the life she’s known.

While leading a seemingly normal life, Wanda unexpectedly falls to her death after an intense morning routine. Her demise illustrates the fragility of life and the impact of unresolved trauma that haunted her character.

At Wanda's funeral, Anna confronts her aunt's absence and her own disconnection from both her past and her present. As she explores Wanda's apartment alone, the weight of her choices begins to settle on her.

Experimenting with alcohol and new outfits from Wanda’s closet, Anna embraces a more liberated identity. Her encounter with the sax player reflects her desire to step into a life she has never imagined before.

In a heart-wrenching decision, Anna puts her veil back on and departs with her suitcase for the convent. This final scene encapsulates her internal struggle as she chooses the path of her former life despite newfound freedom.