Suddenly, Last Summer

In 1937 New Orleans, Catherine Holly experiences a severe emotional breakdown following the mysterious death of her cousin, Sebastian Venable. This tragic event leads her to be confined in a mental institution, where she begins to grapple with her reality.

Months before Catherine's confinement, she and Sebastian shared a holiday in Spain. Their idyllic vacation takes a tragic turn, leaving Catherine haunted by Sebastian's abrupt and untimely demise.

Sebastian's wealthy mother, Violet Venable, is distraught over her son's death and wishes to suppress the truth surrounding it. She offers a significant bribe to the hospital administrator, Dr. Hockstader, to ensure Catherine is silenced permanently.

In a lush garden at her estate, Mrs. Venable meets with Dr. John Cukrowicz to discuss Catherine’s case. During their discussion, she recalls Sebastian's artistic nature and shares a haunting poem that highlights the grim events tied to his death.

Dr. Cukrowicz decides to evaluate Catherine, who has remained isolated in a women's mental institution. He first observes her from a distance and witnesses her engaging in a self-harm act, indicating her fragile mental state and desperation.

During their discussions, Catherine reveals fragmented memories of her life prior to her trip to Europe. She identifies a pivotal traumatic moment—the day she feels she lost her honor, a reflection of her emotional turmoil following Sebastian's death.

Catherine’s family arrives to discuss Sebastian’s will, which has left her a significant inheritance. However, Violet manipulates the situation, withholding access to the funds unless they agree to commit Catherine and authorize the lobotomy.

Desperate for freedom, Catherine tries to escape the mental institution. Her escape leads her onto a catwalk above male patients, resulting in a terrifying encounter that deepens her sense of entrapment and isolation within the institution.

Catherine confronts Mrs. Venable about Sebastian’s true nature and her own complicity in his demise. This tense exchange highlights both women's deep emotional turmoil and the dark family secrets buried beneath the surface.

Dr. Cukrowicz employs truth serum in a tense session at the Venable estate, aiming to uncover the reality behind Sebastian's death. Catherine recounts dark memories involving Sebastian's manipulation and a horrifying revelation about his demise.

Catherine recalls the traumatic events of Sebastian's death, revealing that he was attacked by a mob of starving children. This shocking revelation propels her into a spiral of despair as she confronts the brutal truth of her cousin's fate.

As the truths surface, Catherine collapses under the weight of her revelation. The emotional burden shared with Dr. Cukrowicz becomes an essential turning point towards her healing, despite the harrowing nature of her experiences.

With the emerging horrors of the past, Mrs. Venable's mental state deteriorates further. Her delusions and denial of her son's sexuality become increasingly evident, culminating in a stark confrontation with her reality as Catherine begins to recover.

In the film's climax, Mrs. Venable mistakes Dr. Cukrowicz for Sebastian, illustrating her profound unhinging. As Catherine begins to reclaim her truth, she and Dr. Cukrowicz find solace in the house, fostering a sense of liberation amidst the chaos.