Joyland

In inner-city Lahore, Amanullah wields his authority as the family's elder patriarch. Haider has been unemployed for years, creating anxiety about continuing family expectations. The scene establishes the pressure that will drive much of the drama.

Haider lands a job as a backup dancer at an erotic theater, triggering Amanullah to demand Mumtaz leave her salon work. Mumtaz resents losing her livelihood and the autonomy it implies. The demand heightens the tension between tradition and personal freedom.

Haider participates in rehearsals with Biba, though he lacks experience and confidence. The rehearsal room exposes his awkwardness and the gulf between aspiration and skill. Biba's presence hints at the power dynamics within the troupe.

After a confrontation over affordability with the theater manager, Biba and Haider decide to order a standee of Biba. The standee becomes a costly symbol of Biba's star status and the theater's financial fragility. This small decision foreshadows mounting pressures of spectacle and money in their world.

That morning, Fayyaz notices the standee on the Rana roof and alerts Amanullah. Haider and the family face blunt chiding for the 'shame' of their arrangement. Meanwhile, Mumtaz and Nucchi install an air cooler at home as life goes on.

Back at the studio, Haider's dancing begins to improve, signaling progress amid doubt. The crew's critiques soften as his potential becomes clearer. The dynamic with Biba remains emotionally charged yet professional on the surface.

During a visit to Biba's home, she explains the blood she carried at the hospital was Tina's, a hijra who was shot. The revelation adds weight to Biba's past and the violence surrounding her world. Haider and Biba talk about the ocean, revealing their growing bond and yearning to escape Lahore's confines.

Haider and Mumtaz talk about visiting the ocean someday, hinting at a life beyond the city. Haider admits he cannot sleep, still unsettled by everything he's seen. The conversation deepens his sense of longing and responsibility to his wife.

That night, after a moment of restraint, Haider returns to Biba and the two kiss passionately. The kiss marks a turning point in their complicated relationship and in Haider's loyalties. The moment is both intimate and dangerous given his commitments at home.

During a night show, a power outage tests the troupe. Haider convinces Biba and the other dancers to press on until the lights come back, and their routine captivates the audience. The moment showcases resilience in the face of adversity.

Mumtaz and Nucchi visit a doctor and learn that Mumtaz is pregnant with a boy. The news brings cautious happiness amid familial tensions and looming expectations. The pregnancy raises the stakes for everyone in the Rana household.

After Amanullah's 70th birthday party, Mumtaz is found dead after drinking from a hidden bottle. Family, neighbours, and Biba gather to mourn as her body is washed and prepared for burial. The tragedy shatters the Rana family and propels Haider toward a new, solitary path.

In a flashback, a younger Haider visits Mumtaz and they express mutual desire to marry despite the arranged union. They agree to pursue their life together, an intimate counterpoint to the present tragedy. The scene adds depth to their relationship history.

In the present, Haider leaves the city and travels toward the ocean, stepping into the water as a final act of seeking freedom. The ending frames his longing as a personal journey beyond the familiar streets of Lahore. The movie closes on his cautious, hopeful stride toward the waves.