Rose, a veterinary student from Dublin, finds herself on an emotional journey to uncover her roots after the passing of her adoptive mother. As she digs deeper, she learns that her biological mother, Ellen, is a well-known actress residing in London. Eager to connect, Rose reaches out to Ellen, revealing her birth name, Julie, leading to a moment of shocking recognition for Ellen.
In her quest for identity, Rose follows Ellen to a film set but, feeling awkward, leaves before anyone notices her presence. Shortly thereafter, she discovers that Ellen's house is up for sale. Seizing the moment, Rose poses as a prospective buyer, resulting in an unexpected meeting with Ellen's teenage daughter, Eva. It isn’t long before Ellen recognizes her, and in search of solitude, she takes Rose for a walk in the woods—her favorite sanctuary.
During this heartfelt conversation, Ellen reveals the painful truth of her past: she was raped, and Rose (Julie) is the result of that horror. Determined to bring some positivity into the world despite her trauma, Ellen made the difficult choice to give Rose up for adoption. They further uncover the identity of Rose's biological father, Peter Doyle, a celebrity archaeologist.
Returning to Dublin, Rose attends the launch party for Peter's newest book but can't summon the courage to introduce herself. Later on, she volunteers for one of Peter's archaeological digs while disguising her true identity under a black wig, posing as an actress conducting research.
When Ellen comes to Dublin for a film shoot, she seeks out Rose, who admits to seeing Peter but refrains from revealing her identity. Frustrated with Peter's obliviousness to their past, Rose's anger festers. In a chilling turn of events, she steals veterinary drugs from the university, armoring herself with a syringe filled with them, and heads to Peter's home with vengeful intent.
Upon his surprise at her arrival, Peter attempts to seduce Rose, but she stands her ground. A scuffle ensues, leading Rose to strike Peter with a golfing trophy in self-defense. In the turmoil, she reveals her true identity, escaping while leaving Peter in a state of confusion and injury. When his wife, Teresa, returns home, Peter must awkwardly explain his condition.
Seeking refuge in Ellen's hotel room, Rose stays there while her mother goes to get rid of the veterinary drugs. Ellen, upon discovering a copy of Peter’s book with his phone number, arranges to meet him at the notorious golf course where the assault occurred. The meeting culminates in a tense confrontation where Ellen recounts the trauma of her past before attacking him with the very syringe Rose had intended to use. Ultimately, she injects him, and he succumbs to the drugs within minutes.
Back in the hotel room, Rose awakens to find Ellen, sharing her dreams of waiting by the sea, a poignant reminder of the struggles and losses they have both faced and the complicated tapestry of their newly intertwined lives.
