Elizabeth Masterson, played by Reese Witherspoon, is a dedicated emergency room physician in San Francisco who pours her heart and soul into her work. With a love for gardens, she often retreats to her "Happy Place", which offers her mental respite amidst her exhausting 23-hour shifts. Despite her cheerful demeanor and friendly interactions with patients, Elizabeth occasionally grapples with profound loneliness, as her job consumes her entire life.
When Dr. Walsh confirms Elizabeth's position at the hospital as an attending physician, she remains committed to her challenge. However, an unexpected tragedy strikes as she gets into a car accident on her way to a blind date with her sister. Fast forward three months later, and we meet David Abbott, portrayed by Mark Ruffalo, a landscape architect who is trying to rebuild his life after the loss of his wife. Struggling to find an apartment that meets his criteria, David finally comes across a sublet for Elizabeth’s old place, which he finds surprisingly appealing.
After moving in, David discovers he is not alone; Elizabeth's spirit begins to manifest in the apartment, causing confusion between the two. Lincoln, as he calls her, insists she isn't dead, while David fears he is merely imagining her presence. In a desperate attempt to exorcise the spirit haunting his new home, David seeks the advice of both priests and paranormal enthusiasts like the quirky Jack. Meanwhile, Elizabeth expresses her desire to uncover her true identity by enlisting David's assistance to investigate her past.
David’s investigation into Elizabeth’s life leads him to a psychic named Darryl, who suggests that she’s not really dead but rather stuck in a liminal state. With each step, Elizabeth’s memory slowly begins to resurface. Together, they visit familiar locations from Elizabeth's life, where she retrieves fragments of her identity, including the epiphany that she was a doctor. However, upon returning to the hospital, David discovers that Elizabeth has been placed in a coma with a Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) order, which her sister, Abby, is reluctant to challenge.
As David and Elizabeth’s bond deepens, he learns that time is running out and that he must protect her future. After a series of tumultuous events revolving around the hospital's life support decisions, David enlists Jack’s help in a frantic scheme to save Elizabeth's life. The emotional stakes escalate as they confront security and the haunting reality of Elizabeth's fading spirit.
In an extraordinary twist of fate, as David desperately kisses her lifeless body, Elizabeth finally awakens. However, she initially fails to recognize him, leaving David heartbroken. In a heartwarming conclusion, Elizabeth returns to her apartment and is drawn to the rooftop garden David has lovingly created for her. Their reunion culminates in a touching moment—the touch of hands rekindles her memories, and they share a heartfelt kiss. The film closes with Darryl, the psychic, reflecting on the joy of witnessing their love story unfold, as he gazes into a snow globe, encapsulating their extraordinary journey together.
