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Plot Summary

Newness (2017) Plot Summary Explained

Release, runtime and language
2017 · 112 min · English
Echo score 65
Directed by
Drake Doremus
Starring
Pom Klementieff, Jessica Henwick, Matthew Gray Gubler, Danny Huston, Nicholas Hoult, Laia Costa
Budget
$10M

In contemporary Los Angeles, Martin and Gabi explore the world of online dating through the WINX app, prioritizing instant connections over lasting relationships. Their paths cross, and they develop a captivating bond through late-night conversations. The relationship quickly evolves into a shared life, prompting them to examine the nature of their connection: Is it a genuine love, or a fleeting and intense infatuation fueled by the digital age?

On this page (6)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 What happens: full plot
  3. 3 Plot questions answered
  4. 4 Movie threads
  5. 5 Movies like Newness
  6. 6 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch Newness (2017)

Where can you watch Newness? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on Fawesome, Plex and Pluto TV: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

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Full plot summary · contains spoilers

What Happens in Newness: Full Plot Summary

The whole story of Newness (2017) explained, from the opening scene to the final frame: every key event, every twist and what it all adds up to. Read it as a quick recap before the sequel, to check a scene you missed, or to finally understand what really happened.

As the sun dips below the skyline of Los Angeles, two strangers, Martin Hallock, a recently divorced pharmacist, and Gabi Silva, a physical therapy assistant from Spain, are brought together by the twist of fate facilitated through a dating app. Initially seeking connections that fizzle out, they find themselves back in the digital world, leading to a serendipitous reconnection. A spontaneous meeting at a local bar evolves into an unforgettable exchange of thoughts and dreams that lasts until dawn, forging a bond that feels deeper than mere chance. They bask in each other's company throughout the day, leading Gabi to make Martin's apartment her sanctuary.

Yet, the fairytale façade quickly shatters. A visit to Martin's family house unveils a concealed layer of heartache — his mother grapples with dementia, and there are whispers of sorrow etched in his father's demeanor. Amid a backdrop of unspoken histories, Gabi uncovers a collection of photographs including Martin's previous partner, Bethany, and an enigmatic young girl. This revelation compels Gabi to confront Martin when they return home, questioning his hesitance to discuss his mother's ailments and the mystery child. Tensions ignite as accusations of nosiness fly, leading to Gabi's abrupt exit.

The following day introduces Gabi to Blake, her friend, who invites her and Martin to a lavish dinner hosted by her boss, Larry Bejerano. In a parallel storyline, Martin finds solace in a night out with his colleagues, with both characters exploring the waters of desire and fidelity. They openly agree to an unconventional relationship, hoping to embrace newfound freedoms.

As days pass, Gabi becomes increasingly captivated by Larry, while Martin confronts his own complex emotions. An encounter with Blake prompts Martin to revisit old videos, stirring lingering feelings for Bethany. Amid this emotional chaos, Gabi learns that Larry has been lavishing her with gifts, including a necklace she decides to conceal from Martin. Their intimate dynamics grow ever more convoluted as she struggles to reconcile her deepening relationship with Larry alongside lingering affection for Martin.

As secrets are unraveled, Gabi discovers exchanges between Martin and Bethany, highlighting an unease simmering in their relationship. This leads to a dramatic escalation as Gabi finds a cherished necklace of Larry’s, stirred by memories, intensifying their discord and resulting in a painful separation. In the wake of this turmoil, Gabi seeks comfort in Larry, ultimately moving in with him as they attempt to navigate the complexities of love.

Larry proffers an opportunity for adventure, inviting Gabi to embark on a two-year journey across Europe, thus presenting her with a chance to reconnect with her roots and explore new horizons. As Gabi weighs the significance of abandoning Martin, across town, Martin encounters Bethany yet again, who has come to embrace a sense of peace in her life. Through mutual understanding, they bid farewell, facilitating closure on their shared history.

At a grand gathering hosted by Larry, Gabi passionately implores him to uninvite Blake, only to be met with firm resistance and a reprimand for her perceived immaturity. Frustrated, she exits the party, losing herself in the vibrant atmosphere of a nearby nightclub. There, she succumbs to the allure of strangers but later finds herself overwhelmed with emotions, leading to a tearful message sent to Martin.

The following day, Gabi seeks to reconcile with Larry, yet is rebuffed, prompting her to leave once more. Eventually, she finds herself back at Martin's door, where he candidly expresses discomfort with their open relationship. This pivotal moment crystallizes Gabi's realization that her heart belongs to Martin. With renewed commitment, they reaffirm their love, promising to navigate their journey together, united in their affection amidst the chaos that had threatened to pull them apart.

Last updated: November 19, 2024 at 20:52

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Plot questions answered

Newness Plot Explained: Your Questions Answered

The questions people ask most about Newness (2017): what happens in the confusing scenes, why the characters do what they do, the twists, hidden details and what the ending means. Each answer contains spoilers.

Q1

Why did Gabi leave after meeting Martin's family?

Gabi left because she discovered photos of Martin's late partner Bethany and an enigmatic young girl in the house. When she confronted Martin about his mother's dementia and the mystery child, he accused her of being nosy and intrusive. This argument about his hidden past and his unwillingness to open up about his family's struggles made Gabi feel disconnected from him, leading to her abrupt exit.

Foreshadowing: Earlier, Martin had kept details about his life private, foreshadowing his reluctance to share painful family history.

  • gabi
  • martin
  • family visit
  • argument
  • photos
  • dementia
Q2

Why did Martin and Gabi decide to have an open relationship?

After attending a lavish dinner together and feeling the pressure of their intensifying connection, both Martin and Gabi agreed to an unconventional open relationship. They hoped this arrangement would allow them to explore their desires freely without guilt, embracing newfound freedoms in their relationship. However, this decision ultimately created jealousy and emotional complications for both of them.

Foreshadowing: The movie establishes early on that both characters were searching for connections through dating apps, suggesting they were still exploring what they wanted from relationships.

  • open relationship
  • monogamy
  • agreement
  • exploration
  • freedom
Q3

Why did Gabi start a relationship with her boss Larry?

Gabi became increasingly captivated by Larry after meeting him at a lavish dinner hosted by her friend Blake. Larry lavished her with attention and gifts, including an expensive necklace, which created a stark contrast to the emotional complexity she experienced with Martin. As her feelings for Martin grew complicated due to his lingering connection with Bethany, Gabi found comfort and luxury in Larry's affection, leading her to pursue a relationship with him.

Foreshadowing: During the dinner scene, Gabi's intrigue with Larry is evident, setting the stage for her gradual shift toward him.

  • larry
  • gabi
  • boss
  • relationship
  • attraction
  • gifts
Q4

What did Martin discover when he watched old videos of Bethany?

While looking through old memories, Martin stumbled upon videos of his late partner Bethany. These videos stirred up lingering feelings and unresolved emotions from his past relationship. The encounter intensified his emotional confusion and created distance between him and Gabi, as he was still processing his grief and attachment to Bethany while trying to build a new relationship.

Foreshadowing: The discovery of Bethany's photos earlier in the story established that Martin had not fully moved on from his past.

  • martin
  • bethany
  • videos
  • memories
  • past
  • grief
Q5

Why did Gabi send Martin a tearful message after the party?

At Larry's grand party, Gabi asked him to uninvite her friend Blake, but Larry firmly refused and reprimanded her for perceived immaturity. Feeling undervalued and frustrated, Gabi left the party and lost herself in a nearby nightclub. Overwhelmed by emotions and guilt, she sent a tearful message to Martin, revealing her emotional turmoil and prompting her to reflect on her true feelings.

Foreshadowing: Gabi's growing discomfort with Larry's behavior and her secret connection to Martin had been building throughout the film.

  • gabi
  • party
  • message
  • martin
  • tears
  • nightclub
Q6

Why did Gabi realize she wanted to be with Martin?

After her night at the nightclub and sending the tearful message, Gabi visited Martin the next day. He expressed that he was uncomfortable with their open relationship arrangement and couldn't continue as things were. This candid conversation made Gabi realize her heart belonged to Martin, not Larry. She understood that her connection with Martin was deeper than the excitement and luxury Larry offered, leading her to abandon Larry and recommit to Martin.

Foreshadowing: Gabi's tearful message already hinted at her unresolved feelings for Martin before this confrontation.

  • gabi
  • martin
  • choice
  • love
  • commitment
  • larry
Q7

Why did Martin tell Gabi he wasn't comfortable with the open relationship?

After experiencing jealousy upon learning about Gabi's involvement with Larry and confronting his own lingering feelings for Bethany, Martin realized the open relationship was causing him more pain than freedom. When Gabi returned to him after the party, he honestly expressed that he couldn't continue with their current arrangement. This moment marked his shift toward wanting commitment and monogamy, ultimately leading their reconciliation.

Foreshadowing: Martin's discomfort was foreshadowed when he revisited Bethany's videos and felt uneasy about the emotional distance between him and Gabi.

  • martin
  • open relationship
  • jealousy
  • comfort
  • monogamy
  • commitment
Q8

What caused the necklace conflict between Gabi and Martin?

Larry had been lavishing Gabi with gifts, including an expensive necklace that she decided to hide from Martin. When tensions rose after Gabi discovered exchanges between Martin and Bethany, she also found Larry's necklace. The discovery symbolized her secrets and emotional infidelity, intensifying their conflict. The hidden gifts represented the growing divide between them and became a focal point of their argument about trust and honesty.

Foreshadowing: Earlier scenes showed Gabi accepting Larry's gifts while keeping them secret, foreshadowing the eventual revelation.

  • necklace
  • larry
  • gift
  • secrets
  • conflict
  • trust
Q9

Why did Larry invite Gabi to travel to Europe with him?

Larry offered Gabi the opportunity to embark on a two-year journey across Europe, presenting it as an adventure and a chance for her to reconnect with her Spanish roots while exploring new horizons. This invitation came at a pivotal moment when Gabi was grappling with her complicated feelings for both Martin and Larry. The trip represented stability and excitement, but ultimately Gabi chose not to go, realizing her emotional attachment was to Martin.

Foreshadowing: Gabi's background as someone from Spain made this offer particularly meaningful, as it connected to her identity and past.

  • larry
  • europe
  • travel
  • invitation
  • adventure
  • roots
Q10

What happened when Martin met Bethany again?

Martin unexpectedly encountered Bethany, who had come to terms with her own life and found peace. Through their heartfelt exchange, they achieved closure on their shared history. This meeting allowed Martin to let go of lingering regrets and guilt about their past, freeing him to fully embrace his relationship with Gabi. The encounter was peaceful rather than dramatic, representing an important step in Martin's emotional journey.

Foreshadowing: Martin's unresolved feelings for Bethany had been creating tension throughout the film, making this closure essential for his character arc.

  • martin
  • bethany
  • closure
  • meeting
  • peace
  • past

Movie threads

More Movies Like Newness, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes Newness tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Movies about digital dating and modern love like Newness

Intimate stories exploring how technology transforms romance and connection. If you liked Newness, you'll appreciate these movies that explore similar themes of modern dating, online connections, and the challenges of intimacy in the digital era. Discover stories that capture the specific anxieties and passions of love shaped by technology.

  • anxious
  • introspective
  • vulnerable
  • passionate
  • steamy
  • volatile
  • Tone: tense, introspective
  • Pacing: steady, conversational
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative pattern typically follows a couple or individual as they navigate the promises and pitfalls of digital dating, often moving from initial excitement to the complications of blurred boundaries, emotional baggage, and the pressure to define a relationship outside of traditional norms. The journey involves questioning the authenticity of digital connections and seeking real intimacy.

Why they belong together: Movies are grouped here for their shared thematic focus on how technology mediates modern romance. They share a tense, introspective tone, a steady pace that allows for character exploration, and a preoccupation with themes like emotional vulnerability, jealousy, and the search for authenticity.

Movies about volatile relationships and emotional tests like Newness

Intense dramas where couples are pushed to their emotional limits. Find movies similar to Newness that explore passionate, volatile couples facing significant tests to their relationship. These dramas feature high emotional stakes, themes of infidelity and jealousy, and a tense, intimate atmosphere as characters navigate the boundaries of love and commitment.

  • volatile
  • passionate
  • tense
  • vulnerable
  • anxious
  • steamy
  • Tone: tense, passionate
  • Pacing: steady, evolving
Why these movies?

The story pattern: Stories in this thread often begin with a powerful, almost overwhelming connection that quickly deepens. The central conflict arises as the relationship is strained by secrets, jealousy, or the pressures of an open dynamic, forcing the characters into a series of confrontations that test their trust and force a reevaluation of their commitment, often leading to a hard-won resolution.

Why they belong together: These films are grouped by their shared atmosphere of tense passion and emotional volatility. They feature a steady, character-driven pace that builds tension through interpersonal conflict, a medium-to-high emotional intensity, and a central focus on the fragile, complicated nature of deep intimacy.

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Movies Like Newness

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Every angle

Newness (2017) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about Newness in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

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