Origins

Origins

Year: 2014

Runtime: 101 mins

Language: English

Director: Mark van Wijk

Documentary

A journey explores the biological origins of humanity and our planet's future. Using fire as a metaphor for technology, the film examines the progress of civilization and the detrimental impact of unchecked technological advancement on the environment and human health. Featuring interviews with leading figures in health and environmental fields, the documentary presents compelling arguments for a more harmonious coexistence with nature, highlighting the potential for balance between humanity, technology, and the natural world.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Origins 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!

Timeline – Origins (2014)

Trace every key event in Origins (2014) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Encounter at the Halloween party

Ian Gray, a Ph.D. student, meets Sofi during a Halloween party. She leads him into the washroom and they have sex; he is instantly intrigued by her. Sofi leaves abruptly, leaving Ian both drawn to her and unsettled by the encounter.

Halloween party (washroom)
2

Synchronicities point to Sofi

Ian experiences mysterious cues, such as the recurring number 11, guiding him toward Sofi's eyes on a billboard. He later sees Sofi on a train, and their relationship begins. Ian's rational outlook clashes with Sofi's fey spirituality as they fall in love.

3

Courtship and engagement

Sofi and Ian fall deeply in love and decide to marry, but they must wait a day for a license. They exit the registry office disappointed when the plan stalls. The moment foreshadows the tension between science and emotion that will define their relationship.

Registry office
4

DNA breakthrough for the eye

Karen discovers a blind worm (Eisenia fetida) with the DNA necessary to develop an eye, a key piece for Ian's work. Ian becomes ecstatic at the prospect of bending biology to memory and continuity with Sofi. He brings Sofi to the lab to pursue the discovery.

Laboratory
5

Accident in the lab and the elevator

Ian accidentally splashes formaldehyde into his eyes and Karen administers first aid. They hurry back to the lab, and the elevator gets stuck between floors. When Ian pulls himself up, he sees Sofi's fear and hesitates before the elevator moves again, revealing that Sofi has been grievously injured.

Lab building elevator
6

Sofi's death and Ian's descent

Sofi dies from the injuries, and Ian sinks into a deep depression, avoiding work and friends. Karen stays with him, encouraging him to reconnect with life. A fragile recovery begins as he grapples with guilt and loss.

7

Seven years later: new life and lingering guilt

Seven years pass and Ian has written an eye-evolution book and is married to a pregnant Karen. He still harbors feelings for Sofi, mixing love with guilt over what happened. Karen helps him confront the unresolved memories that haunt him.

Seven years later
8

Confession and coping with the past

Karen catches Ian masturbating while looking at old Sofi videos, initially thinking it is pornography. They discuss Sofi's death and Ian's persistent guilt, with him admitting that Sofi's memory lives on in his thoughts. The couple shares a kiss and accepts their own burdens as part of their history.

9

Tobias's birth and the iris first read

Tobias is born and an iris scan is performed, logging the baby's eyes in a database and identifying him as Paul Edgar Dairy. A nurse re-enters the results, thinking it a glitch, and the problem appears to disappear. Dr. Simmons then calls, suggesting further testing due to possible signs of autism.

Hospital
10

Kenny's database and Sofi's iris match

Kenny, now the iris-database creator, reveals that Dr. Simmons has limited access to the data. They test various photos, including deceased relatives, and obtain a hit for Sofi, matching an iris seen in India three months earlier, years after Sofi's death. The implication is that Sofi's memory could live on through others' eyes.

11

Search for Salomina in India

Ian travels to India with Priya Varma to locate the subject of Sofi's iris match. They put up billboards and search until they find an orphan girl named Salomina. A test indicates a 44% likelihood that Salomina shares a connection with Sofi's memories.

India
12

Reunion moment and recognition

Ian finds Salomina and brings her to his hotel, where they conduct a test that yields a probabilistic link to Sofi. Salomina panics at the elevator doors but hugs Ian, suggesting a moment of recognition. They choose to descend the stairs together, sharing tears as they step into the light.

Hotel in India
13

Post-credits scene: a broader pattern

A post-credits scene shows Dr. Simmons scanning the irises of famous deceased figures and finding many matches. The implication is that memory and identity may persist through a network of iris data, long after a person is gone. The film closes on a chilling note about memory living in others' eyes.

Post-credits scene

Last Updated: October 01, 2025 at 13:07

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Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Philosophical Documentaries on Humanity's Future like Origins

Cinematic journeys exploring the delicate balance between human progress and planetary health.If you liked the thoughtful exploration of civilization and ecology in Origins, discover more documentaries that examine humanity's relationship with technology and the planet. These films blend scientific inquiry with a poetic sensibility, offering similar bittersweet and thought-provoking experiences.

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Narrative Summary

These films typically present a thesis about a critical juncture in human or planetary history, weaving together interviews, data, and metaphorical imagery. The narrative arc follows an investigation into a complex problem, building a compelling argument that challenges the viewer to reconsider their place in the world.

Why These Movies?

Movies are grouped here for their shared focus on big-picture questions about civilization, their methodical and steady pacing, and their bittersweet tone that balances awe for human achievement with concern for its consequences. They offer a similarly reflective and scientifically-grounded viewing experience.

Bittersweet Journeys of Discovery like in Origins

Stories where the quest for answers uncovers profound, emotionally complex truths.Fans of Origins' exploration of love and science across time will appreciate these movies about profound searches for connection and truth. Discover films with a similar bittersweet feel, where the emotional weight of the discovery is as important as the facts uncovered.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative follows a protagonist or central inquiry driven by a deep need to understand something elusive. The pacing is methodical, building evidence and emotional weight towards a revelation that recontextualizes everything, often blending personal loss with a larger, universal insight.

Why These Movies?

These films share a core structure of a meaningful search, a steady pacing that allows for reflection, and a bittersweet emotional core. The ending provides a sense of profound connection or understanding, yet it is tempered by the complexity and cost of the journey itself.

Unlock the Full Story of Origins

Don't stop at just watching — explore Origins 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 Origins is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Origins Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Origins, 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.

Origins Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in Origins

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Origins. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in Origins

Origins Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Origins 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.

Origins Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Origins

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Origins: 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 Origins