Lemon

Lemon

Year: 2017

Runtime: 83 min

Language: English

Director: Janicza Bravo

Echo Score: 60
DramaComedy

Isaac Lachmann, a man in his forties, finds his life spiraling downwards. Facing a stalled career, a failing relationship, and the pressures of a demanding family, he feels trapped in a cycle of disappointment. Once filled with ambition, Isaac now struggles with a profound sense of mediocrity and feels powerless to change his circumstances as his life seemingly falls apart.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – Lemon (2017)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Lemon (2017). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Present day

The events unfold in contemporary times, reflecting modern dating, career shifts, and relationship strain. The social dynamics—work pressures, travel for Ramona, and urban home life—ground the story in a recognizable present. The period is current enough to feel immediate and relevant to today's audiences.

Location

Isaac's apartment, Isaac's acting workshop, Ramona's travel/work locations, Cleopatra's makeup studio, Cleopatra's family barbecue/Passover gathering

The film moves through a city-based backdrop centered on Isaac's apartment and workshop, with scenes of Ramona's work travel, Cleopatra's makeup studio, and a Passover family gathering. The locations shift between intimate indoor spaces and public venues, underscoring the private turmoil in Isaac's life. The varied places reflect a contemporary, urban lifestyle where personal and professional tensions collide.

🏙️ Urban setting ✈️ Travel-heavy 🏠 Domestic drama

Last Updated: October 03, 2025 at 19:49

Main Characters – Lemon (2017)

Meet the key characters of Lemon (2017), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Isaac (Brett Gelman)

A middle-aged actor who runs an acting workshop where he lavishes praise on Alex while denigrating Tracy. His jealousy over Alex's ongoing success—despite Isaac's own pivot to pharmaceutical commercials—drives much of his erratic behavior, including a breakdown after overhearing Ramona's message. His need for control strains his relationships and exposes a fragile ego.

🎭 Ambitious 😰 Anxious 😡 Jealous 🗣️ Controlling

Ramona (Judy Greer)

Isaac's girlfriend, blind, who works for a pharmaceutical company that requires her travel. Her presence grounds Isaac at times, but their 10-year relationship ends when she returns home and breaks up with him after his breakdown. Her independence and rhythm of travel contrasts with Isaac's instability.

💗 Caring 🛫 Travel-heavy 👁️ Blind 💊 Pharmaceutical life

Cleopatra (Shiri Appleby)

A makeup artist Isaac meets on a photo shoot; their relationship begins with a nervous date but grows complicated as Isaac tries to weave himself back into her life. She navigates his awkward advances and an unsettled family gathering, while dealing with loneliness hinted by her aunt.

💄 Glamorous 🤔 Complicated 🎯 Persistent 👪 Family-focused

Alex (Michael Cera)

The star pupil Isaac admires; Alex is a working actor who becomes the focal point of Isaac's jealousy. Alex benefits from Isaac's praise, while his success highlights Isaac's stagnation and desire for relevance in the acting world.

🌟 Talented 🧠 Smart 🎭 Favored 🏆 Ambitious

Tracy (Gillian Jacobs)

Another student in Isaac's workshop who receives less attention than Alex. Tracy represents the overlooked talent and the strain of Isaac's favoritism, underscoring the competitive dynamics within the class and Isaac's fragile mentorship.

💬 Quiet 🧪 Overlooked 🎭 Aspiring 🧭 Loyal

Last Updated: October 03, 2025 at 19:49

Major Themes – Lemon (2017)

Explore the central themes of Lemon (2017), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

💔 Love and Jealousy

Isaac's messy blend of affection and insecurity toward Alex drives much of the drama. He lavishes praise on his star pupil while belittling others, revealing how envy can masquerade as concern. The dynamic exposes how personal failures color romantic and professional ties. Jealousy becomes a mirror for Isaac's fragile ego and unresolved career anxieties.

🧠 Identity and Career

Isaac's pivot from serious acting to pharmaceutical commercials highlights the gap between artistic identity and marketable work. The workshop becomes a stage where his longing for relevance clashes with the reality of his stalled career. Ramona's independence contrasts with his dependency, intensifying questions about who he is beyond his job. The film questions what it means to stay true to oneself when success looks different than before.

🗣️ Communication and Misunderstanding

A misread voicemail overheard by Isaac triggers a cascade of misinterpretations, driving a wedge between him and others. His aggressive impulse toward Alex after a dinner reveals boundary-crossing behavior and blurred lines. The breakup and subsequent social events amplify how miscommunication erodes trust. The scene with Cleopatra's aunt adds a layer of loneliness and a warning to listen more carefully.

Last Updated: October 03, 2025 at 19:49

Unlock the Full Story of Lemon

Don't stop at just watching — explore Lemon in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Lemon is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Lemon Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Lemon, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Lemon Summary

Lemon Timeline

Track the full timeline of Lemon with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Lemon Timeline

Lemon Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Lemon that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

Lemon Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Lemon

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Lemon: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Lemon

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