The Year With the Baby is a nuanced exploration of one woman's journey through trauma, healing, and changing relationships. The story begins with Lydie (Naomi Ackie), who visits her close friend Agnes Ward (Eva Victor) in New England. The two enjoy a quiet night together with Agnes’s cat Olga, bonding over shared memories and personal struggles. During her visit, Lydie announces that she is pregnant via sperm donor, and they discuss their futures amidst a backdrop of nostalgic friendship and the uncertainties ahead. Their interactions extend to other friends, including Gavin (Lucas Hedges), a charming man Agnes begins to see romantically, and Natasha (Kelly McCormack), who is perceived as unpleasant by Agnes and Lydie.
The film then shifts to a past timeline, revealing the complex history of Agnes, Lydie, and their college friends, during their graduate program. In these flashbacks, Agnes shares a close bond with Professor Preston Decker (Louis Cancelmi), a charismatic teacher who showers her with praise, even giving her a first edition of To The Lighthouse. Their relationship turns darker when Agnes confides that Decker sexually assaulted her at his home, an incident she recounts in graphic detail to Lydie. This revelation leaves Agnes profoundly shaken, and she struggles with feelings of betrayal and trauma.
The story delves into Agnes’s emotional turmoil as she faces the aftermath of her assault, battling depression and contemplating destructive acts against Decker, whom she now considers a co-parent because he has transferred schools. Despite her pain, Agnes chooses not to press charges, opting instead to keep a fragile hope for eventual forgiveness and understanding. Meanwhile, she adopts a stray kitten, Olga, symbolizing her own tender, vulnerable state. Her friend Lydie moves on to a new relationship with Fran (E.R. Fightmaster), while Agnes embarks on a sexual relationship with Gavin.
Later, Agnes sits on jury duty, openly expressing her discomfort and remorse about her assault, fearing that Decker would not benefit from punishment. Her candidness results in her being dismissed from the jury. In a later scene, Agnes is shown teaching a college class, touching on themes from Lolita, and is surprised to learn she has been recommended for a full-time position — an achievement she is quietly proud of, but which is ironically undercut when Natasha refers to her as Decker’s “chosen one” because she had sex with him during college. This comment triggers a panic attack, during which Pete (John Carroll Lynch), a sandwich shop owner, offers her comfort with kindness and a simple sandwich.
In an intimate moment, Agnes invites Gavin over again, leading to a tender encounter that signifies her attempt to reclaim normalcy and intimacy. Their interaction is marked by humor and genuine connection, as Agnes playfully comments on Gavin’s anatomy, and they share a quiet, comforting moment together.
The story concludes in the present day with Lydie, now married to Fran and mother to their daughter Jane, visiting Agnes. Lydie and Fran plan a trip to visit a lighthouse, leaving Agnes with Jane. During this peaceful moment, Agnes speaks softly to her niece, offering words of reassurance and hope for her future. She expresses regret that Jane will encounter hardships as she grows up but sincerely wishes for her to be safe and resilient in an often challenging world.
Overall, The Year With the Baby carefully examines the intricacies of human relationships — from trauma and loss to healing and love — portraying a woman’s ongoing quest for peace amidst life’s uncertainties and personal scars.
