The Ex

The events take place in a modern, present-day frame, reflecting current work culture and family dynamics. The narrative follows a couple through career upheavals and changing roles, with the journey spanning across different locales. The era highlights contemporary tensions between professional ambition and personal relationships.

The film moves from a bustling New York City setting to a midwestern Ohio ad agency, then shifts to Barcelona in its concluding moments. These locations anchor the power struggles, career shifts, and evolving family dynamics at the heart of the story. The settings emphasize the contrast between urban ambition and domestic life.

🎭 Power and deception

Chip leverages a feigned disability to manipulate Tom and influence Sofia, turning the workplace into a theater of manipulation. The deception fuels humiliation, distrust, and a ruthless battle for control. The theme exposes how appearances can mask true intentions and corrode relationships.

💑 Marriage and trust

Tom and Sofia's marriage is strained by jealousy, suspicion, and loyalty tests. The couple must sift truth from manipulation and decide where their trust lies. Their struggle probes commitment, forgiveness, and the fragility of marital bonds.

💼 Career vs family

Tom loses his job after defending a friend, prompting a role reversal where he becomes a stay-at-home dad while Sofia returns to her career. Sofia's continued professional life contrasts with Tom's new domestic role, illustrating shifting priorities. The arc questions who really leads the family when professional pressures mount.