Proof

Young Martin, blind, is told by his mother about the garden outside his bedroom window. She describes someone raking leaves, but Martin cannot hear the sound and feels she is lying. This moment seeds a lifelong distrust of explanations that are simply described to him.

In adulthood, Martin believes sighted people may lie or pity him. He photographs the world and relies on Braille descriptions as supposed proof that what others describe matches reality. This cynicism colors his daily life and his relationships.

Celia, Martin's housekeeper, harbors a deep, obsessive crush and fills her flat with photographs of him. She torments him in small ways, like rearranging furniture, to provoke a reaction. He keeps her around because her mix of affection and hatred prevents him from feeling pitied.

Martin encounters Andy, who describes his photos with depth and precision, and Martin is impressed. The two quickly become close, with Martin trusting Andy more than most people. This friendship offers Martin a new way to see the world through someone else's honest gaze.

Celia senses the growing bond and seduces Andy to destabilize Martin. Martin catches them in the act, and Andy, uneasy, lies to him to avoid a confrontation. The encounter triggers Celia's sense that she can derail Martin's trust once again.

Following Celia's manipulation, Martin discovers Andy's dishonesty. The revelation devastates him and he sinks into despair, breaking off their friendship. He retreats further into his own skeptical worldview.

Celia doubles down on her meddling, exploiting Martin's vulnerability and orchestrating events that reinforce his sense of isolation. Her actions keep him from relying on others and deepen his resentment. She remains a volatile presence in his life.

Andy confronts Martin again, arguing that people have flaws and that not everyone lies. He urges Martin to reconsider judging people by one faultful moment. Martin does not openly concede, but the seeds of doubt are planted.

Martin decides to fire Celia, acknowledging his own role in their fraught relationship. She reacts with fury at losing her control over him. The emotional tension comes to a new peak as she demands retribution.

In a volatile display, Celia angrily throws the key to Martin's house into a sink full of water. The act symbolizes the collapse of their arrangement and her refusal to be dismissed simply. The moment crystallizes the fragility of Martin's trust.

Martin asks Andy to describe one last photo—the garden as he remembered it from childhood. He hopes the description will validate his long-held memory. The moment marks a turning point toward reconciliation with his past.

Andy's description includes the long-forgotten image of the garden and the man raking leaves his mother spoke of. This revelation provides Martin with proof and a sense of emotional release. He finally accepts that the world can be complex but not entirely untrustworthy.