The Hollars (2016) Plot Summary Explained

John returns to his hometown because his mother, Sally, has been diagnosed with a brain tumor. This news forces him to leave his life in New York City and face both his mother's failing health and the complicated family dynamics he left behind.

Foreshadowing: The diagnosis is revealed early in the film, setting up the emotional journey that follows.

• john hollar
• mother diagnosis
• brain tumor
• returns home

Gwen married Jason after becoming pregnant with his child, even though she still harbored feelings for John. Jason, who was John's old high school friend and worked as a nurse caring for Sally, was aware of Gwen's unresolved emotions but accepted the marriage anyway.

Foreshadowing: The awkwardness between John and Gwen during the hospital reunion hints at their shared history.

• gwen
• jason
• marriage
• pregnancy
• former fiancee

Ron sneaks into his ex-wife Stacey's home because he desperately wants to see his daughters, whom he misses deeply. When Stacey discovers him lurking inside, she calls the police and he gets arrested for trespassing.

Foreshadowing: Ron's longing for his daughters is established earlier when he spies on Stacey, showing his desperation to maintain a connection with them.

• ron hollar
• arrested
• Stacey
• ex-wife
• daughters

Reverend Dan bails out Ron because he understands and sympathizes with Ron's deep love for his children. Despite Ron being Stacey's ex-husband and his own romantic rival in a sense, Dan shows compassion and recognizes that Ron's actions came from a place of paternal devotion rather than malice.

Foreshadowing: This act of kindness foreshadows Dan's later role as a supportive family figure.

• reverend dan
• ron
• bailed out
• arrest
• compassion

Despite doctors successfully removing the tumor, Sally passes away during the operation. Her husband Don is at her side when she dies, leaving the family devastated despite the seemingly positive surgical outcome.

Foreshadowing: The tense atmosphere in the waiting room during the surgery builds toward this tragic outcome.

• sally
• tumor surgery
• death
• hospital
• family loss

John and Rebecca get married at Sally's funeral because the ceremony was already planned and Sally had written a letter requesting that the wedding go forward. Reverend Dan officiates the bittersweet wedding, combining the mourning of Sally's death with the celebration of new life beginning.

Foreshadowing: The urgency of the situation reflects the film's theme of life continuing amid loss.

• john
• rebecca
• wedding
• funeral
• reverend dan

Rebecca goes into labor unexpectedly while the family is attending Sally's funeral. John, Ron, and Don must rush her to the hospital, creating a dramatic contrast between the death of Sally and the impending birth of John's child.

Foreshadowing: John's anxiety about becoming a father while dealing with his mother's illness hints at the dual nature of this moment.

• rebecca
• labor
• funeral
• hospital
• baby
• birth

Don struggles to keep the family's plumbing business afloat during the financial strain of Sally's illness. Eventually, he is forced to take a job at a local wine shop to make ends meet, highlighting the economic pressures the family faces alongside their emotional turmoil.

Foreshadowing: Don's financial stress is mentioned early in the film as the family deals with medical costs.

• don hollar
• plumbing business
• wine shop
• financial struggle

Sally wrote a heartfelt letter to Don before her brain tumor surgery, which Don shares with the family after her death. The letter provides comfort to the grieving family and represents Sally's love and foresight during her final days.

Foreshadowing: The emotional weight of Sally's situation builds throughout the film leading to this moment.

• sally
• letter
• don
• farewell
• emotional