Year: 2013
Runtime: 102 min
Language: Swedish
Director: Brian De Palma
Within the competitive world of advertising, a powerful and controlling executive finds her position threatened by a young, ambitious newcomer. Their rivalry escalates into a dangerous power struggle, marked by manipulation and deception. As the competition intensifies, a shocking incident reveals the ruthless lengths to which both women will go to achieve their ambitions and maintain their place at the top.
Warning: spoilers below!
Haven’t seen Passion 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!
Read the complete plot breakdown of Passion (2013), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.
Christine, an American advertising executive in Germany, teams up with her protégé Isabelle on an ad campaign for a new smartphone. Isabelle, who is secretly having an affair with Christine’s boyfriend Dirk, comes up with a clever marketing idea that earns widespread praise. When Christine claims the concept as her own, Isabelle feels betrayed, but she softens the moment by hearing about Christine’s past: the story of how her twin sister died.
Encouraged by her loyal assistant Dani, Isabelle uploads a self-made version of the ad to the web, and it quickly goes viral. The attention unsettles Christine, who vows revenge and taunts Isabelle with a sex tape that Isabelle had made with Dirk. After a fit of anger, Isabelle crashes her car in the company’s parking garage, and Christine shares the security footage with the entire company, publicly humiliating Isabelle. The humiliation triggers a downward spiral for Isabelle, who battles depression and begins abusing pills. In response, Christine tries to push Dani out of the loop and even threatens Isabelle with a revenge letter she typed on Isabelle’s computer.
When Christine is found dead, Isabelle is arrested and confesses to the murder while in a drug-induced stupor. Based on her confessions, the revenge note, and fibers matching a scarf Isabelle was seen wearing, the police charge Isabelle with murder. The charges are dropped, however, when a ballet-goer who saw Isabelle that night emerges and when Dani discovers Isabelle’s scarf, undamaged, in her apartment. The police then uncover that Dirk had been embezzling money and that Christine had discovered this; a bloody scarf found in his car leads to his arrest.
The true reveal comes when it’s shown that Isabelle murdered Christine and staged the events to convince others that she was unraveling. Dani, secretly in love with Isabelle, reveals she captured Isabelle on video at various moments during the night of the murder and tries to blackmail Isabelle into becoming her lover. That night, Isabelle experiences a strange dream in which she strangles Dani after being seduced, but Dani sends the incriminating footage to the investigating detective. Then Christine’s twin sister appears and strangles Isabelle from behind with a bloodstained scarf. Moments later, Isabelle wakes up in her own bedroom from the nightmare, only to confront a second nightmare: Dani lying dead at the foot of her bed.
Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 01:15
Don't stop at just watching — explore Passion 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 Passion is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.
Track the full timeline of Passion with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.
Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Passion. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.
Discover movies like Passion that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.
Passion (2013) Scene-by-Scene Movie Timeline
Passion (2013) Movie Characters, Themes & Settings
Passion (2013) Spoiler-Free Summary & Key Flow
Movies Like Passion – Similar Titles You’ll Enjoy
Crimes of Passion (1984) Full Summary & Key Details
Passion Play (2011) Spoiler-Packed Plot Recap
Passion of Mind (2000) Full Summary & Key Details
Possession (1983) Plot Summary & Ending Explained
Passionada (2003) Spoiler-Packed Plot Recap
Original Sin (2001) Story Summary & Characters
Guilty of Romance (2013) Detailed Story Recap
In the Cut (2003) Ending Explained & Film Insights
Frantic (1988) Plot Summary & Ending Explained
Revenge (1990) Story Summary & Characters
Secret Obsession (2019) Complete Plot Breakdown
Obsessed (2009) Plot Summary & Ending Explained
The Captive (2002) Complete Plot Breakdown
Alléluia (2015) Spoiler-Packed Plot Recap
Femme Fatale (2002) Spoiler-Packed Plot Recap