Our Souls at Night

In Holt, Addie Moore visits her neighbor Louis Waters and proposes that they spend their nights together to ease their loneliness. Louis is surprised and needs time to think before he agrees.

After meeting with other older men in town who regularly gossip, Louis decides to give the idea a chance. He calls Addie and agrees to try, starting their unlikely, comforting relationship.

Louis and Addie start spending evenings and nights at Addie's house, gradually getting to know each other beyond neighborly pleasantries. The initial interactions are awkward as Louis remains reserved and soft-spoken.

Addie suggests Louis leave a few things at her place, like pajamas, and invites him to use the front door when visiting. Louis worries about what people will say, but Addie dismisses the gossip as unimportant.

Louis's daughter Holly calls the house, expressing concern for his wellbeing. Louis jokingly pretends he can't hear her, signaling the ongoing conflict between privacy and parental duty.

In a later visit, Addie asks about the years-old affair everyone knows about. Louis explains he left his wife for Tamara, then returned home, offering context for the town's gossip and their own insecurities. The revelation helps them understand each other’s fears about gossip.

Rumors spread among Louis's friends and Addie's Ruth. Louis suggests confronting it, and they go downtown for Sunday lunch. At first they're greeted with curious looks but soon blend in with the townspeople.

At the start of summer, Addie's grandson Jamie stays with her as his parents separate. Jamie spends the summer with Addie, regularly seeing Louis, and they adopt a dog for him.

Ruth passes away, and Addie and Louis take Jamie camping in the mountains. Louis teaches Jamie to play catch and they roast marshmallows, deepening their bond.

As summer ends, Gene confronts Addie about her relationship with Louis, aware of Louis's past infidelity. Addie refuses to end the relationship, choosing family happiness over disapproval.

Louis suggests they travel together to a Denver hotel. After a night of dining and dancing, Addie and Louis become physically intimate, acknowledging the depth of their connection.

Back in Holt, Holly has dinner with Louis and Addie to share news of an upcoming trip to Italy. The moment emphasizes the couple's place within a larger world.

Sometime later, Addie is hospitalized after a fall. Gene pushes for her to move in with him, and she initially resists, but relents after Jamie's distressed phone call.

Louis and Addie go to Gene's house to find Jamie and learn Gene's son has returned home drunk. Addie decides that family must come first and agrees to move in with Gene and Jamie, sharing a final night with Louis before they return to sleeping apart.

Louis sends Jamie an electric train set and a cell phone for Addie, and after their last night together they resume life as old friends who talk each night from separate beds.