Women whirl in dance, while larger figures are showcased in an art gallery. The story follows Susan (played by Amy Adams), a gallery curator, as she navigates her lavish lifestyle in her multi-million dollar estate, all while overlooking the sparkling lights of Los Angeles. With staff and security at her disposal, she seems to dwell in luxury. One day, she receives a package from her ex-husband, Edward Sheffield. To her surprise, it contains a manuscript titled Nocturnal Animals, dedicated to her, hinting that she inspired his work. Edward intends to meet with her in Los Angeles, and Susan's head of security inquires about staffing for the weekend. She requests solitude, quietly indicating her intention to read the manuscript.
That evening, Susan struggles to sleep, taking medication to combat her insomnia. The following morning, her husband Hutton (Armie Hammer) joins her for breakfast, and she expresses disappointment over his absence from her art show. He cites work commitments and far travel, while she infers that he’s avoiding the truth, insisting she wasn’t asleep until late into the night. As discussion turns to Edward, Hutton reveals his ignorance about Edward's career, leading Susan to recall their distant past. As their conversation shifts back to Hutton's business trip to New York, she dismissively remarks on his lack of interest in art.
Susan begins to delve into the Nocturnal Animals manuscript. The first chapter introduces Tony Hastings (portrayed by Jake Gyllenhaal), embarking on a road trip with his daughter and wife, Laura (played by Isla Fisher). The family encounters an electrifying trip through Texas, encountering ominous delays—two cars silently pacing alongside one another until antagonism ensues. What starts as playful banter gradually shifts into a harrowing situation as they realize they are being pursued by three sinister men in one of the vehicles.
As the confrontation escalates, the harasser, a menacing redneck (played by Aaron Taylor-Johnson), arrives to confront Tony, questioning his refusal to pull over. Desperate and sensing danger, Tony keeps his family in the car, leading to a terrifying exchange. As Tony weighs his options, the situation spirals out of control with the redneck's menacing taunts. Engulfed in desperation, he attempts to call the police only to find the signal lacking.
From here, we learn tragedy strikes as his family is taken from him, leading further into the dark themes of fear and violence. Tony's struggle to comprehend his perceived failures hammers in as his journey only worsens with every page Susan turns. Then, returning to Susan’s perspective, tension rises as she grapples with the chilling story while simultaneously attempting to reach out to her own daughter, who shares a striking resemblance with the girl in Edward’s novel.
Meanwhile, the lines between Susan's past and present meld together as she recalls moments from her relationship with Edward, reflecting on their dinner when their connection flourished against the backdrop of memories, parallel to the unfolding tragedy in the manuscript. As the narrative progresses, so does the suspense—Tony's reach for justice intertwines with Susan's realization of her own regrets.
Eventually, the adrenaline culminates in a climactic showdown between Tony and the abductor, leading to the discovery of harrowing truths about loss and revenge, mirroring Susan's own fraught emotions. In stark contrast to her extravagant lifestyle, Susan reflects on her choices and the emotional upheaval that defines her life.
As she completes the manuscript, the weight of its impact dawns on her—prompting an email to Edward, suggesting they meet. However, as she prepares for their reunion, time stretches painfully as she realizes Edward never arrives. The betrayal strikes hard; the culmination of memories and decisions echo—setting the stage for bitter reflections on love, loss, and the fruits of abandoning one’s true self. In a twist of fate, the book's poignancy unearths the depths of betrayal, leaving Susan alone with her turmoil, as she understands far too late the significance of Edward's narrative—a haunting reverberation of fate across both their stories.
