-->
Year: 2016
Runtime: 83 min
Language: English
Director: Trey Edward Shults
As Krisha arrives at her sister's Texas home on Thanksgiving morning, the warm glow of family reunion gives way to an undercurrent of unease. As she navigates the complexities of reconnection with her relatives, including her nephew Trey, long-buried secrets and deep-seated resentments simmer beneath the surface, threatening to upend the fragile harmony of their gathering.
Warning: spoilers below!
Haven’t seen Krisha yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!
Krisha, a woman in her sixties grappling with a tumultuous past intertwining addiction and estrangement, seeks to reconnect with her family during the Thanksgiving holiday. After years apart, she has declared herself reformed and sober, striving for a fresh beginning. When she arrives at her sister Robyn’s spacious home, the atmosphere is charged, filled with family members, all greeting her warmly, yet beneath the surface, tensions loom.
As she attempts to mend her relationship with her son, Trey, her efforts are met with resistance. He remains cold and defensive, unwilling to engage, which leads to a painful confrontation when Krisha tries to elicit any response from him, ultimately causing him to walk away. The day unfolds with family members holding divided opinions about Krisha’s transformation. Some, like Robyn, cling to hope, convinced of her recovery, while others, particularly her brother-in-law Doyle, remain skeptical, dismissing her claims of sobriety as mere words.
The arrival of Krisha’s elderly mother only adds to her distress. Although her mother recognizes most of the family, she struggles to recall Krisha’s identity, causing Krisha’s heart to ache deeply. Frustrated and overwhelmed by the day’s events, she sneaks away to her bathroom, where she succumbs to the very vices she promised to leave behind—alcohol, prescription drugs, and even illegal substances.
As Thanksgiving progresses, the situation escalates when Krisha, intoxicated and frantic, causes chaos in the kitchen, spilling a perfectly roasted turkey onto the floor. The family’s horror is palpable as they rush to assist her, but Doyle merely laughs, highlighting the growing rift in family dynamics.
In a moment of clarity, Krisha watches home videos of a younger Trey, sparking a flood of emotions, leading her to call her boyfriend. Fueled by rage and a sense of betrayal, she leaves a scathing voicemail, accusing him of abandoning her in her time of need. When she finally faces the family again, she finds herself excluded from the modest Thanksgiving dinner. Robyn confronts her about her lies regarding sobriety—having once defended her within the family despite opposition.
The atmosphere turns volatile as Krisha, desperate for affection, confronts Trey, demanding to hear that he loves her. As the clash intensifies, tragedy strikes when she disruptively breaks silverware and lashes out at Robyn. The explosive argument culminates in her ejection from the house. The film closes on a haunting note, capturing Krisha’s pained expression as she gazes into the camera, struggling to stave off tears—a stark reminder of her fraught reality and the daunting path ahead.
Last Updated: November 16, 2024 at 17:55
Krisha (2016) Scene-by-Scene Movie Timeline
Krisha (2016) Movie Characters, Themes & Settings
Movies Like Krisha – Similar Titles You’ll Enjoy
This Christmas (2007) Detailed Story Recap
Hannah and Her Sisters (1986) Movie Recap & Themes
Your Sister's Sister (2012) Spoiler-Packed Plot Recap
Rachel Getting Married (2008) Spoiler-Packed Plot Recap
The Family Stone (2005) Full Movie Breakdown
Kingdom Come (2001) Plot Summary & Ending Explained
Home for the Holidays (1995) Story Summary & Characters
Krystal (2018) Film Overview & Timeline
Nothing Like the Holidays (2008) Plot Summary & Ending Explained
The Fitzgerald Family Christmas (2012) Complete Plot Breakdown
Christmas with the Kranks (2004) Full Summary & Key Details
Family Weekend (2013) Full Summary & Key Details
Friendsgiving (2020) Story Summary & Characters
Sister of the Groom (2020) Movie Recap & Themes
Reuniting the Rubins (2012) Full Summary & Key Details